tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702155316144256232024-02-19T01:08:40.212-05:00And JerryThe occasionally insightful musings of Jerry Williams from The JOY FM.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-75419996285701442682013-10-20T17:15:00.003-04:002013-10-20T17:15:57.276-04:00We're MovingThis blog has been moved to <a href="http://www.jerrywilliamsmedia.com/" target="_blank">www.jerrywilliamsmedia.com</a>. All old posts will still be available here (as long as it's free), but no new content will be posted here.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-49927614832909165252013-04-05T15:38:00.000-04:002013-04-05T15:38:28.429-04:00Christmas and Baseball: A Tale of Two SeasonsIf you've listened to me on the air for more than about 10 minutes anytime in the past 30 years or so then you're probably familiar with my philosophy on the seasons. Forget everything you learned in grade school about there being four
seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. There are only two seasons
that actually matter, Baseball and Christmas.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G0CFUMFu22gHiYHKzSDNwSuJelj3ME_7bZv1x8ykGxWbY88q0CzQhbLyBu1z0cop3Pfy9DECYKML77w8B0YGEbc1zbPL9b2u6TY51vrfhtIqyMTt8CC4zz0DMgPG7_yvRK0t6mKce92F/s1600/manger+01+resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G0CFUMFu22gHiYHKzSDNwSuJelj3ME_7bZv1x8ykGxWbY88q0CzQhbLyBu1z0cop3Pfy9DECYKML77w8B0YGEbc1zbPL9b2u6TY51vrfhtIqyMTt8CC4zz0DMgPG7_yvRK0t6mKce92F/s320/manger+01+resize.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas is the promise of hope and life as it could be.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Christmas Equals Life As It Could Be</h4>
Christmas represents life as it was meant to be. The mystery of the Creator becoming the created, the One given for all, He who was wronged making the ultimate sacrifice to be reunited in fellowship with those who have wronged Him are all a part of Christmas. The hope and joy inspired by the season, the generosity and goodwill expressed by so many is but a foretaste of what is to come for those who recognize the true meaning of Christmas.<br /><br />Christmas embodies the hope, peace and love that can only be found through a relationship with the baby born that first Christmas. Promised through and to Abraham when he said, "God will provide the lamb." Born for the purpose of dying in place of all us, paying the debt that we owed to him.<br /><br />For those of us who know Him, Christmas presents a tremendous opportunity. The message of the Gospel is plainly stated in the lyrics of many of the songs of the season, songs that are sung not only in churches but also on the radio and through the sound systems at malls and department stores all across the world. And people, even those who make no claim to faith or who would never attend a church service, have memorized these words and sing them every year at this time.<br /><br />Christmas is a season to celebrate and give thanks and to share what life can and will be like if we but embrace the message.<br /><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_3JhSu8MquqpLOEw36NeFmkj9sKyZT517NEXAf1P13wBgu3_bVlzeeIuePqEBA5K-3Dorxy8KcQ-yAap0xiZFzfyX6ombbLaq2P3eKD6V4DEQiEB5OBRSbCE-12jgvIb2E5GYRkGqqJI/s1600/new+yankee+stadium+resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_3JhSu8MquqpLOEw36NeFmkj9sKyZT517NEXAf1P13wBgu3_bVlzeeIuePqEBA5K-3Dorxy8KcQ-yAap0xiZFzfyX6ombbLaq2P3eKD6V4DEQiEB5OBRSbCE-12jgvIb2E5GYRkGqqJI/s320/new+yankee+stadium+resize.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baseball, with its grueling 162-game season is life as it is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Baseball Equals Life As It Is</h4>
</div>
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Baseball is life itself, or at least the most accurate metaphor we have for life. The grueling 162 game season must be played out until its end, day after day. It begins in the spring, with every team, every player, full of potential and hope. The grind of each game, each inning, continues through July and August, wearing down those ill prepared for the long distance nature of life, sapping the energy of those who have stuck around one year too long, and cutting short others' promising careers with unforeseen injuries.<br /> <br />By September, many teams have been eliminated from a chance at the post-season, but the games must still be played, though they seem meaningless to those with no hope of continuing into October. But even on those teams there is opportunity for individuals to excel. Baseball, like life, is a game where success is rare. If a hitter fails to reach base safely 70% of the time he is considered a star. For a team to win a few more games than it loses is reason for celebration.<br /><br />There is more to success in baseball than numbers or even victories, at least for those who know what to look for. The batter who gives himself up to move a runner into scoring position, a shortstop who cheats a little toward to the middle of the infield against a hitter who tends to go that way, the hitter who takes an extra pitch or two in hopes of wearing out a tiring starting pitcher in the late innings and a team that plays to win even after they've been mathematically eliminated from contention are all admired by teammates and opponents alike. And, as in life itself, it is often these small moments of striving that give us the courage to face another day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-25515346705719372632013-01-04T12:20:00.000-05:002013-01-04T12:20:02.457-05:00Reflections On Purpose<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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That week between Christmas and New Year can be a reflective
time, for me at least. Full of memories of Christmases gone by, taking stock of
the year that’s about to slip away and looking forward to a calendar full of
fresh empty pages.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I like working during that week. It’s usually pretty quiet,
many of my co-workers have taken time off and it’s a great opportunity to get
things done that for too long have lingered on the to-do list. It was one day
during that week in 2012 that I left my office to take a walk around the
building before going on the air. As I headed for the door, I stopped and
looked at a plaque that’s been on the wall since August of 2011.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhBCrIRIV12msf_gUJmOGjBIv1MmzjEVu79QeE979bc3tEVhubQfFi1TQFjrjNXvASUJimULADJnYmK8GkeVy_NjPOiKwSdSyUd9nM9O_G13i5WY7RO_JDRPy1gXfqlllj0Y-xhxH-mqi/s1600/plaque+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhBCrIRIV12msf_gUJmOGjBIv1MmzjEVu79QeE979bc3tEVhubQfFi1TQFjrjNXvASUJimULADJnYmK8GkeVy_NjPOiKwSdSyUd9nM9O_G13i5WY7RO_JDRPy1gXfqlllj0Y-xhxH-mqi/s320/plaque+crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I appropriated this plaque in August 2011.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Before coming to my office, it had hung over Sheila Richard’s
desk. Sheila died in August of 2011. “Second Christmas without Sheila,” I
thought as I pushed through the door. The mind can be a funny thing. In my
reflective mood that one thought led to memories of other loved ones who have
gone on before and the precious few Christmases we had together. And from that
to a quick calculation of how very few Christmases I had left with other, aging
loved ones, family members and friends and the realization that we all of us
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“What can we do, Lord,” I said (I often speak out loud to
the Lord as I ponder the imponderables) “but make the most of the short time
You give us here with each other.” And then as I turned the corner of the
building I saw perhaps one of the saddest sights any lover of Christmas can see
in the waning days of December.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6SJFvVB1_BqcWbdIE1NlAtfu5qWDt6afKHQAkKDdSHZkAYz4AlKA8yU6RVGtaoYsJYB6L4_20bN0hyyYQiABdGvvs1NYko6hRMMmIBgsOIISI8VL1pc-p9hgewMiRNNhaTPxRiXLeUWU/s1600/xmas+trees+04+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6SJFvVB1_BqcWbdIE1NlAtfu5qWDt6afKHQAkKDdSHZkAYz4AlKA8yU6RVGtaoYsJYB6L4_20bN0hyyYQiABdGvvs1NYko6hRMMmIBgsOIISI8VL1pc-p9hgewMiRNNhaTPxRiXLeUWU/s320/xmas+trees+04+crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So close.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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What had only days before been a Christmas tree lot, full of
the hope and potential joy of the season was now abandoned, a dozen or so trees
left unceremoniously lying on the ground. So close to fulfilling their purpose,
but now never to realize it. Strange, maybe, to think of a tree as having a
purpose. But these trees did, once. They’d been raised, cultivated, nurtured
for one ultimate purpose. To help some family celebrate the birth of the
Savior. And while I’m sure that they may have served some secondary purposes,
providing a home for some birds and pumping oxygen into our air, they fell
short of what they had been intended to do. Maybe through no fault of their
own, but short they fell, nonetheless.</div>
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“Lord, please don’t let me wind up like those trees,” I
said. And while I’m not very big on the whole New Year’s resolution thing, I
think I’ll make it a point to remember those forsaken trees through 2013 as I
strive to more fully serve the purpose that’s been appointed to me. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-65702833912600578072012-11-07T13:02:00.000-05:002012-11-07T13:03:56.543-05:00God Is In Control...In the weeks leading up to the election and the hours since President Obama was named the winner I've seen quite a few posts on Facebook expressing the sentiment "No Matter Who Wins, God Is Still In Control," or "Whoever Is President, Jesus Is King."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBNmSA90jiiyAp_-vv2ApkL6pyd62hyphenhyphenpWQX3tRncQkCi86vLX6QB77lsyholaHC9Dzzr93HrqXWulwLbfaXzc0LTNrmYzFzPrh1Kcq2O8cvAsD40eSZcT4o1s1Sgyv1xXdvsIHyvwUptK/s1600/obama-stoner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBNmSA90jiiyAp_-vv2ApkL6pyd62hyphenhyphenpWQX3tRncQkCi86vLX6QB77lsyholaHC9Dzzr93HrqXWulwLbfaXzc0LTNrmYzFzPrh1Kcq2O8cvAsD40eSZcT4o1s1Sgyv1xXdvsIHyvwUptK/s320/obama-stoner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four more years</td></tr>
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And while I agree with the explicit truth that God is always in control, I think that, as expressed, these slogans are dangerously close to over simplification. They seem to imply a "Don't Worry, Be Happy," state of mind. Yes, God is in control, but that does not absolve the people of God from our responsibility. To use another one of those oft-quoted slogans, "Remember, with great power comes great responsibility."<br />
<br />
I think what concerns me about this whole thing is that it belies an "Oh, well, what can you do?" kind of attitude. Or, maybe worse, it implies that everything's going to be dandy. Yes, we know that ultimately it will be better than dandy as we spend eternity in the presence of God. But between now and then a whole lot of un-dandy can happen.<br />
<br />
While I'm pulling out the slogans, here's another, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." God has always been in control, but that didn't keep the ancient Israelites from captivity, it didn't stop Rome from falling, didn't keep Hitler from coming to power or the World Trade Center towers from falling.<br />
<br />
Yes, God is now, has ever been and will always be in control. And yet at the same time He has blessed us with the double-edged sword of free will. On top of that we've been charged with the responsibility to bind (or forbid) and loose (or allow) things here on earth (see Matthew 16:19 and 18:18). Now whether it's from a reluctance of being perceived as judgmental or politically incorrect I'm not sure, but the influence of the people of God on the American culture sure seems to have waned since the latter part of the last century.<br />
<br />
Please don't misunderstand, I believe America is still a great country, one of the freest on earth, though not nearly as free now as we once were. And I think we still have the capacity to bounce back, for the economy to improve and the divisiveness to be healed. But it won't come easy and it's not guaranteed.<br />
<br />
No matter your political leanings, who you voted for or whether you voted at all, if you're a citizen of the Kingdom of God there is work to do. Pray. Pray for our president and other government officials and our nation. Get involved. Let your voice be heard. Hey, run for office if you're so inclined. Complain. Yeah, complain. If you voted you earned that right. But do it in a constructive manner. Write letters or emails to your elected officials when you're concerned about an issue. It's more than our civic duty, it's our spiritual responsibility to help shape the culture so that others may come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-24423888031398209842012-06-29T17:33:00.000-04:002012-06-29T17:33:23.414-04:00Hot Weather Motorcycling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWD5WhvPWhd5zjwW4HQj_mVPrYNn_jq4vwsGI2rdEWKeFwzM7Lkslk3UEKhuLs6rZdHtoAJbta5lWxqN5XNnDVvG4QrExtevzOJ2Wz2N0gTjzW6uTBebT7nNvneA2sIX4AwR8acfkCMyH/s1600/beat-the-heat+thermometer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWD5WhvPWhd5zjwW4HQj_mVPrYNn_jq4vwsGI2rdEWKeFwzM7Lkslk3UEKhuLs6rZdHtoAJbta5lWxqN5XNnDVvG4QrExtevzOJ2Wz2N0gTjzW6uTBebT7nNvneA2sIX4AwR8acfkCMyH/s320/beat-the-heat+thermometer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We're in a for a wicked hot weekend in the greater ATL. Highs are expected to be around 106 degrees on Saturday, the day of our Wounded Warriors ride in conjunction with Crossroads FAITH Riders, Meineke Car Center of Peachtree City and Great South Harley-Davidson in Newnan. Details on the ride are <a href="http://georgia.thejoyfm.com/event/wounded-warriors-charity-ride" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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With temperatures that high the temptation for some riders is to leave the jacket at home and wear a short-sleeved shirt. Some may even consider short pants. But by exposing that much skin you're actually going to feel WARMER than if you're actively subscribing to ATGATT (all the gear all the time).</div>
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<b>The Magic Number Is 93</b><br />That would be 93 degrees (if I was making this up it would have been 93.3). At temperatures below 93 degrees your body has no problem staying cool while riding, provided you're going fast enough to generate a breeze. When it's hotter than 93 degrees the wind actually makes exposed skin WARMER. Yeah, I know, it sounds counter-intuitive, but stick with me.</div>
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<br />Your body has four methods of staying cool; evaporation, radiation, conduction and convection. At temperatures above 93 degrees evaporation (which your body accomplishes by perspiring) becomes the only working method of cooling. That's because 93 degrees is about the average skin temperature. So at heat levels above 93 degrees the air is actually transferring heat to any exposed skin on your body, rather than taking heat away from you. So to minimize the effect of hot air making you hotter, cover up.</div>
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<b>Heat Related Health Hazards</b><br />The hot weather can not only cause you to feel uncomfortable, it can also cause health problems and, at worse, death. Cramping in the legs or abdomen is one of your body's earliest signals that it's beginning to dehydrate. Make sure to drink plenty of water prior to a ride in the heat. (Stay away from alcohol, caffeine and drinks with high sugar content, these will actually contribute to dehydration.)</div>
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If you ignore the cramps the next level of danger is heat exhaustion. People suffering from heat exhaustion will sweat profusely, experience headache, nausea and dizziness. After heat exhaustion comes heatstroke, sometimes referred to as sunstroke. This one will kill you if not treated promptly. Symptoms of heatstroke include rapid heartbeat and breathing, confusion and fainting. We don't want that. So be sure to dress appropriately and drink enough water before and during your ride. </div>
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<b>Wounded Warriors Ride</b></div>
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If you're a rider, I hope you'll consider joining us tomorrow (Saturday 6/30/12) for the Wounded Warriors Ride. Registration begins at 8:00 AM with KSU (that would be "kick stands up" not Kennesaw State University) at 9:30 AM. We probably won't beat the heat, but we'll get a head start on it. And the first 50<b> </b>people to say "I'm a Joy Rider" at registration will get one of the nifty commemorative T-Shirts pictured below. Hope to see you.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsME6dOLEF2cHW51NZ623B5a6obZDcPt72yN49BxmXoUoaPS122Sz0OkBREyJJMkLJL6bj1_iy8aQpt2-5z-yRVzTXZecgeF1wlpbIiZs_V7bqOtu75wTYQk7858hWNPhqIaTCBC3NecLN/s1600/WW+Shirt+Back+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsME6dOLEF2cHW51NZ623B5a6obZDcPt72yN49BxmXoUoaPS122Sz0OkBREyJJMkLJL6bj1_iy8aQpt2-5z-yRVzTXZecgeF1wlpbIiZs_V7bqOtu75wTYQk7858hWNPhqIaTCBC3NecLN/s320/WW+Shirt+Back+crop.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the back of the T-Shirt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7EmBIu46YJURt8nxPoeExQ_sMpS3whSo7_TrVgBIOzNuLG2oWg8Isu5wxiZTThNBIj57bs9h_ChAJXNNvejwLKFB6A-PrXFK_EYBKQSnC1VMHiR60alDX3_FxCbyMAlZ7bn6apZ_NOwB/s1600/WW+Shirt+Front+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7EmBIu46YJURt8nxPoeExQ_sMpS3whSo7_TrVgBIOzNuLG2oWg8Isu5wxiZTThNBIj57bs9h_ChAJXNNvejwLKFB6A-PrXFK_EYBKQSnC1VMHiR60alDX3_FxCbyMAlZ7bn6apZ_NOwB/s320/WW+Shirt+Front+crop.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this would be the front, stylish, eh?</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-11991652320180326552012-05-31T13:55:00.000-04:002012-05-31T13:55:28.297-04:00The End Of The RoadThe image of the road conjures up a vast variety of thoughts and emotions. The Bible uses the road as both metaphor and setting for some key lessons. There's the road to Jericho where the parable of the Good Samaritan takes place. Saul of Tarsus met Jesus on the road to Damascus and had both his name and life changed. Cleopas and another anonymous disciple of Jesus were on the road to Emmaus when they were joined by a stranger shortly after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The stranger was later revealed to be Jesus himself.<br />
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There's often a sense of excitement when we set off on the road. Even when we're sure of where we're headed there can be some uncertainty about what might happen along the way. There could be disaster and redemption, such as was the case of the traveler set upon by bandits and rescued by the Good Samaritan. Or like Saul/Paul an unexpected encounter could lead us to take an entirely different path. And there are those trips who's true significance is realized only once the journey is over, like that walk Cleopas and his friend took to Emmaus.<br />
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Sometimes the road itself proves as much fun as the destination. Ask anyone who rides a motorcycle.<br />
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And when the road ends we we're faced with a choice. Turn around or blaze our own trail. How you handle that one depends on who's map you're following.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEQstSBkTz1Pwb7Tt8UHd2Tak0eGWLjcHFPBjw5CaIbz6nxJIGyQJHpL_8pPftdUTsNWdsbNQvaNqrjXKsqi_pH2RHVem_DyXAqMXVV6cN82rN43BFFrcmU-uyaCJd85Y2Heq0-JGkA-_/s1600/road+02-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEQstSBkTz1Pwb7Tt8UHd2Tak0eGWLjcHFPBjw5CaIbz6nxJIGyQJHpL_8pPftdUTsNWdsbNQvaNqrjXKsqi_pH2RHVem_DyXAqMXVV6cN82rN43BFFrcmU-uyaCJd85Y2Heq0-JGkA-_/s320/road+02-crop.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-50377569737082795342012-05-30T16:06:00.001-04:002012-05-30T16:06:22.861-04:00Sometimes It Seems Like It Never EndsMy wife Teri and I spent a good deal of the Memorial Day weekend doing yard work. My son Caleb helped me get a few trees out of the yard. They'd fallen over the course of the past few weeks. Then Teri and I cleaned up some of the smaller branches, cut the grass, blew off the driveway. Teri even found time to plant some flowers. Coming home from work yesterday I was able to smile at how nice the yard was finally looking.<br />
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Then just after 3 o'clock this morning I heard that ominous "fooommp" from somewhere outside. Almost instantaneously the power went out. I grabbed a flashlight and walked the yard. A large Georgia Pine had fallen across the street, knocking out the power to the entire neighborhood. The power company was there within the hour, and nearly six hours later they'd restored the power. And now I have at least another weekend's worth of work waiting for me in the front yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1F0Bxr0Wt7NiL3WomqNOJ31_Ke1tWf18SeJU9lv8dDRdon75G1j6_WbFSPhVH7XeNUzlQixE76hyYrDzUJYhBhOOMRewUuMAZdOzea8Ss-uER0z-YU5HkQtP6WdJSG8zIEftTfAiCNlB/s1600/tree+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1F0Bxr0Wt7NiL3WomqNOJ31_Ke1tWf18SeJU9lv8dDRdon75G1j6_WbFSPhVH7XeNUzlQixE76hyYrDzUJYhBhOOMRewUuMAZdOzea8Ss-uER0z-YU5HkQtP6WdJSG8zIEftTfAiCNlB/s320/tree+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-28365641803522468132012-05-30T00:08:00.001-04:002012-05-30T00:08:55.937-04:00Blue Light SpecialNo, this is not about your run-of-the-mill cut-rate department store five cents off a pack of 24 white tube socks blue light special. This is about the magic elixir that is less than 60 seconds away when the blue light on the Keurig coffee maker is lit. Now that IS something special.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNcVIoeMU1hWx42C5blSac9JwldmkyZwdTIrSuWr2SUPggbF4-CR6erDMz_3QMCt5YFToAR8rJd6DriuKoNXU_p0A5j87NSePtWcfSFA3XjFU1Qtzq83QQ723IjxpWec6TVXkeW3vfbHz/s1600/c9419e5c-7bc0-425c-ab2f-13163f7aad30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNcVIoeMU1hWx42C5blSac9JwldmkyZwdTIrSuWr2SUPggbF4-CR6erDMz_3QMCt5YFToAR8rJd6DriuKoNXU_p0A5j87NSePtWcfSFA3XjFU1Qtzq83QQ723IjxpWec6TVXkeW3vfbHz/s320/c9419e5c-7bc0-425c-ab2f-13163f7aad30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-165483082473483532012-05-28T23:21:00.001-04:002012-05-29T12:46:08.966-04:00Monster Beetle<div>
I've been in Georgia for nearly 14 years now. The size of the insects here still amazes me, as does their boldness. This beetle sat perfectly sill as I moved closer and closer to get this photo.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUDxJh85yu6GPz2ZNIdapc9e_Vm8VKPnBm4oCPJ0GwMyRJZ4anHTzzro-UwAsz-xEHi8PIWw-KbuNcPteVAO1_bYRV9DzfHoH26I-7bjeP1I6s3pedzJ9AvTxn4TBTyDPyMpNhKVg2Pi6/" /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-17374390729406682212012-05-27T23:16:00.001-04:002012-05-29T12:46:34.398-04:00Impatients At Night<div>
The long, dry, hot Memorial Day weekend provided a wonderful opportunity for a little yard work. We took the chainsaw to a few trees that had fallen in the yard. Cut the grass, trimmed some bushes. My wife Teri planted impatients, bringing a little added color to the yard.<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-26843526024632670322012-05-26T22:08:00.001-04:002012-05-29T12:46:49.449-04:00Mobile Nest<div>
My youngest grandson, TJ, has a birthday coming up next week. He's asked for a new scooter. When his dad reminded him that he already has a scooter, TJ replied, "But a bird made a best in the basket and there are eggs in it."<br />
"As soon as the birds hatch and learn to fly then you can ride it again," his dad told him.<br />
So now the waiting and the watching begin.<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-46679746488415506182012-05-25T12:16:00.000-04:002012-05-25T12:16:14.193-04:00One More ReasonGetting ready for the long Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer. Many of us will be on the road this weekend, despite the cost of gasoline. One of the many reasons I enjoy riding a motorcycle is the gas mileage my bike gets. I filled up this morning on my in to The JOY FM. Today's National Photography Month photo is of the final read out of the pump. Yes, only 3.622 gallons to fill up (my tank holds 4.1 gallons). On that 3.622 gallons I managed to travel 200.2 miles. That works out to 55.27 miles per gallon! That 's actually the best gas mileage I've managed in awhile, normally I come in between 52 and 53 mpg.<br />
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There is one other calculation I've done, and it's slightly more sobering. It's the miles per dollar (or mp$) number. This one will vary much more than mpg, since gas prices fluctuate so much. My 200.2 miles on 3.622 gallons at $3.479 per gallon works out to 15.888 miles per dollar. Of course if you did these calculations on your car's mileage numbers they'd be even smaller. Let's say your auto gets a respectable 30 mpg. That same 200.2 miles would have used up 6.673 gallons of gas in your car. At a cost of $3.479 per gallon you would paid $23.22 for that stop at the pump. You would be getting 8.62 mp$ (miles per dollar). Kind of makes you want to look into getting a motorcycle, doesn't it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIombCPCrAZfbqAXJk_0hedfXfzhGEq_htP6sCQ1EXxxvSKFhB5SM9L-pflHqoKeHT2rOvGSPReYZexxNguGQhWa2nKsPwLo5QTojWnlxKtacpkSr2QRwCf6u5Ui3fiNF9YBySzX4wP-eu/s1600/Fri+05-25-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIombCPCrAZfbqAXJk_0hedfXfzhGEq_htP6sCQ1EXxxvSKFhB5SM9L-pflHqoKeHT2rOvGSPReYZexxNguGQhWa2nKsPwLo5QTojWnlxKtacpkSr2QRwCf6u5Ui3fiNF9YBySzX4wP-eu/s320/Fri+05-25-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-52730098498704881842012-05-24T23:44:00.001-04:002012-05-25T11:59:06.880-04:00Pig Mania<div>
My dad found this game around 30 years ago. It's so goofy that it's a blast. We've never played a game without going into hysterics.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVDEuo-ieR3QCGHgUlLQs7BieCE441601Kc1ldriH-Vs_VKfCN1FDS4JK4Ap-5iJDBF3IgJyJrpJYByjI6k35DXyKwomxyGDf8CwLt68VpHvrTiADqkxEXvy9S9P9AiiYTDRNxTMFtlZL/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Pig Mania, comes with a complete "history" of pig tossing.</td></tr>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-47669271234889491542012-05-23T16:29:00.003-04:002012-05-23T17:44:40.298-04:00Old FriendsI was looking through old photographs last night, searching for a couple of specific shots. I didn't find either one, but I did come across quite a few that made me smile. The one I've posted here (for today's National Photography Month entry) was taken somewhere between 1989 and 1994. That was back before digital photography, so there's no metadata, no file on a hard drive to help me narrow the date range. Metadata back then was added AFTER you got your pictures back from the lab and wrote on the back of the photo. I was not very good at remembering to add metadata.<br />
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Because I rarely took the time to document those old photographs, sometimes I have trouble remembering who all the people in the picture are. That is the case in this photo. I have no idea of the name of the guy on the far left. Working left to right, the next person is me. Then guitarist extraordinaire Phil Keaggy. And finally, Dave Cruse, currently of The Morning Cruise on The JOY FM.<br />
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Back when that photo was taken Dave was, I believe, still at a station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I was working at a station on Long Island, New York. We were in my hotel room in Nashville, TN, during Gospel Music Association (GMA) Week. Back then I'd do my morning show from the room, featuring artist interviews all week. So that means that the un-named individual was probably someone who worked for Phil's record company. Dave was there because somewhere along the line of seeing each other year after year at these GMA events we'd become friends. Dave wasn't doing his show from Nashville that year, so he came and hung out with me. We've both, Dave and I, changed some during those intervening years, especially our hairlines. But we've remained friends and we're finally getting a chance to work together, though it's long distance, at The JOY FM.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJ857c_n0mH23xotgES7RxbyTPYZNEsf9SoJ1WoI825XZ3VfaVZDYYDLMHGYsp7gQ9Vn0Y7Wx9W3Gyl3nuykUQDKVLigIpFBnmHb2T_3TDUUKyCPu3nMs_x3cdzYui2fuaaY71FSqwWgH/s1600/JW-Dave+Cruse-Phil+Keaggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJ857c_n0mH23xotgES7RxbyTPYZNEsf9SoJ1WoI825XZ3VfaVZDYYDLMHGYsp7gQ9Vn0Y7Wx9W3Gyl3nuykUQDKVLigIpFBnmHb2T_3TDUUKyCPu3nMs_x3cdzYui2fuaaY71FSqwWgH/s320/JW-Dave+Cruse-Phil+Keaggy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Can't remember his name, me, Phil Keaggy, Dave Cruse</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-2937818548142183302012-05-22T16:21:00.000-04:002012-05-22T16:21:01.138-04:00Emergency CacheI have never really known want. Sure, there have been times that have been more prosperous than others. And I have occasionally had to go without certain near essentials. But I've never actually worried about where my next meal was coming from. So my habit of stashing away foodstuffs is somewhat of a mystery to me. Maybe it's something that rubbed off on me from having both of my parents being raised during the Great Depression. Or perhaps the story of Joseph and his famine fighting grain storage plan had a bigger impact on me than I realize.<br />
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No matter the origin, there have been times when I've stockpiled various snack foods. Today's photo was inspired by that habit and by a photo Matt Fields, The Morning Cruise producer, posted of one of his desk drawers. Here's my photo for the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPGY-Gga9IzfyxM1Ds_Cp-McEoGbTTY-WbBHcpVvhOdcs9OI5UUl53IBVzQV-dpLKLsaw4M6XD3bjBx7D1PzyO8kTxMl5WOzY7V00WqQ_fcWI4QZQx8OJptOrJjVSN0VbLFs3srGI7dJK/s1600/05-22-12+drawer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPGY-Gga9IzfyxM1Ds_Cp-McEoGbTTY-WbBHcpVvhOdcs9OI5UUl53IBVzQV-dpLKLsaw4M6XD3bjBx7D1PzyO8kTxMl5WOzY7V00WqQ_fcWI4QZQx8OJptOrJjVSN0VbLFs3srGI7dJK/s320/05-22-12+drawer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-64942233858799088762012-05-21T17:17:00.002-04:002012-05-21T17:17:43.659-04:00Ready For The RainSince I started riding a motorcycle five years ago I've become much more aware of the weather. And I've learned that you can't always trust those "chance of rain" percentages. I've ridden when there was a 20% chance of rain and gotten soaked and taken the car when the forecast called for a 90% chance of rain and not seen a drop all day.<br />
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So most days, unless it's actually raining or below freezing when it's time to leave the house, I'll ride the motorcycle. But I am always prepared for any change in the weather. Take today. Got up this morning, checked the forecast. Around a 30% chance of rain. Then just after 3 PM thunder and lightning rolled in. Then the showers. I was ready for them. There's always a rain cover for the bike and rain gear (pants, jacket and boot covers) for me in the saddlebags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tWI-_0Oybkgrdvx7UNTfJCSjZJRKvSnLZ6HtGTq9AdvWj32UPALq6bonnl0Mzqo7jMsEM2JDwGo41icNFAB1HXw5q8be1C1eoDaMnqoKd1WwZ8oP-X-TnFXRHYfy4sm7hcxSQpO4WNLQ/s1600/05-21-12+rain+cover-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tWI-_0Oybkgrdvx7UNTfJCSjZJRKvSnLZ6HtGTq9AdvWj32UPALq6bonnl0Mzqo7jMsEM2JDwGo41icNFAB1HXw5q8be1C1eoDaMnqoKd1WwZ8oP-X-TnFXRHYfy4sm7hcxSQpO4WNLQ/s320/05-21-12+rain+cover-crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-14689612958262262612012-05-20T23:28:00.001-04:002012-05-21T17:18:16.295-04:00Sweet Summer Slumber<div>
I know, summer doesn't officially begin for another month. But with the weather already warm I'm looking forward to some lazy afternoons in the hammock.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi348YrL18vDOcYSs3WxaK0CfjvUZ0f4soJV_MfFfT05uz_a84K6YaoFR1v3LeRPAo5xxBmmLjXiwxoD57agG_ifzqUCI2Psx6wZ3UzMLMs9FEwwslzZ4yuw5K7SdhyphenhyphenUajCzizkFOZeNV6T/" /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-4735760797937834282012-05-19T23:29:00.001-04:002012-05-21T17:18:33.136-04:00Work In Progress<div>
My garage has become a motorcycle shop. My son Caleb is tweaking his bike. He's already painted it. Now he's adding a sound system and modifying the seat.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0zp4FvISgIum5NLh2pO2JwPwGBo8SJpGOte9np33Wurk5IXDnM9VEODnj6KtPqKW7Q_bNWie5RJr_hdkkvkw3Wwkjs0cd3m2pIRSKkoZVEIuqbGzuUgwK8A5h2gK5IiGXvMJUjMIixlK/" /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-22542768987349483222012-05-18T14:01:00.000-04:002012-05-18T14:01:01.590-04:00Just Up The StreetBack in 1844 a local resident bought a plot of land, Lot #16 in Fayette County, Georgia. The next year he buried his infant daughter there. Through the years the family laid the remains of loved ones in this little family cemetery. It still stands, 168 years later. The area around it has changed during that time. A residential sub-division, offices, restaurants, a theater and the JOY FM studios now surround this lonely patch of ground. Its markers and benches tucked into the shade provide an opportunity to pause and reflect on what once was.<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-3557360636110997262012-05-17T16:38:00.001-04:002012-05-17T16:38:26.740-04:00Lookin' UpEvery once in awhile I feel the need to take an aimless stroll. Just to clear some of the cranial cobwebs. On today's walk about I was once again amazed at the simple beauty of the sky. Light blue with mountains of white fluffy clouds. It provided a nice change of pace from the photos of the last two days. Hope you enjoy the view as much as I did.<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-13645972368062467042012-05-16T15:59:00.002-04:002012-05-16T15:59:53.414-04:00Time Is RelativeRemember when we were kids and the summers seemed to last forever? Seems the older we get the faster time flies by. Maybe it something to do with what Peter talks about in 2 Peter 3:8; "With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day." Maybe our perception of eternity has something to do with it. Of course, none of that really addresses the issue of time in the Prevenings studio. Within 60 seconds I took photos of five of the clocks we have in there, no two displaying the same time.<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-73152005288033508692012-05-15T16:46:00.000-04:002012-05-15T16:46:10.641-04:00Social Media OverloadHere's the thing. I'm not much of a "joiner". But when I do get into something new, I tend to go all in. So when I got my first Android powered smart phone last fall I really got into downloading apps. Particularly social media apps. So now I'm on social networks that no one else I know has even heard of yet, like Diaspora and Path. Think I'm going to have to scale it back a bit. It's gotten so bad that I had to download a new app just to be able to squeeze in a shot of most (not even all!) of my social networks on my TWO monitors!<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-54642416625787551902012-05-14T15:22:00.000-04:002012-05-14T15:22:21.385-04:00Snowballs In MayIt had been a wet weekend. Too much rain to do much outdoors for Mothers Day. But as I walked to my car this morning I got a glimpse of some of the fruit of all that rain. Our "snowball" bush has a number of large flowers. Makes the dampness a little easier to deal with.<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-79933865327706301912012-05-13T22:26:00.002-04:002012-05-13T22:26:51.405-04:00Rain, Rain...The weekend held such promise. Two days. Two wheels. Open roads. Then the rain came. And stayed. All weekend. The bike stayed parked in the shelter of the garage. Maybe next weekend will be drier.<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2970215531614425623.post-25697496870730310862012-05-12T19:16:00.001-04:002012-05-12T19:16:11.418-04:00A Bad SignJust as I'd passed the last gas station on my way home, the low fuel light popped on. So much for saving time and mileage. I'll have to allow a little extra time, and go a little out of my way on the next trip.<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06694665011730358402noreply@blogger.com0