Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Good Morning,

   Have a great Tuesday. Hope to see you tonight at Premier's Restaurant, 6-8pm with the Arnharts and the Gospel Messengers.

   Jake Brewer in in room 4029a at Pasadena Bayshore Hospital after having some chest pains yesterday. Billy Erlewein has been moved to intermediate care at St. Luke's and is in room 728. Fran Miller has gone back to St. Lukes and is in room 2219. Fran and Billy were both sound asleep this morning so I did not get to talk to them. Janet Hebert is in room 206 at San Jacinto Methodist with COPD related problems but she hopes to come home today, but not sure. Please lift these up in your prayer time today.

   See you later, love, Ken

Friday, July 15, 2011

Good Morning,

   Put Off Everything Tomorrow's Saturday. Yo, yo, yo, it's Friday. Shrimp boats are  acomin' there'll be dancin' tonight. Something like that. Anyway, it's Friday. The one pigeon I saw on Fannin was really lonely, the rest called in sick. DUH, it's Friday, you silly car wash messer upper.  Come on, yesterday was payday and today is Friday. What are you doing here? No news yet on the oil truck hit and run - well I guess it would better be described as a leak and hide, but Hwy. 290 is nice and shiny in a spot two. Word is out that the Astros will play in the American League starting very soon. The American Little League. Did you see that throw from Hunter Pence from left field in the All-Star game on Tuesday. Wow. It was a bullett. That's why I love baseball. It's slow but you never know when you may see a play of a lifetime. It was a one of those throws that whistles as it crosses the infield headed toward home. The soccer girls are on a tear. Reminds me of Clutch City - i just wished I understood the game itself - but you can't deny that they are some talented ladies and they don't seem to roll around on the ground near as much as the guys who look like they are dying and then jump up and run around the field five times jumping 4 feet off the ground every ten feet. Enough sports. How in the world does Ms. Tata afford one of the DeGuerin boys as her defense attorney? Bob, I need your help here. I can see how Roger can afford Mr. Rusty. Let's see, the debt ceiling is a mess, the economy is a proverbial snowball on a big hill and here we sit trying to see if Roger is a liar. Come on, he's a man - you know  - boyfriend, husband, fisherman, hunter - you're not that concerned that he lied, but more so the fact that he might have lied to YOU. Remember, we're the guys that tell girlfriends, "Sure, I made reservations," and wives, "Yes, honey I know today is our anniversary," and "the fish was as big as the boat and then the line snapped" and "the deer had so many horns he looked like a tree - I know I hit him." Tell Mr. Selig to handle Roger and you guys take care of Wall Street, my street, the snowball and the hill. Recess? Yes, you can have a recess. Sunday. Go to church. Yes, that's the big building with the cross on top from whence the organ music plays at noon everyday. I know, it's Friday, and I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo glad because my buttercup comes home today.

   We had a great time at camp last night with the kids. A big thanks to Rick, Jimmy, John and Mia for riding with me and keeping me awake - with their snoring.

   Please remember in your prayers today the Singletary family as Shirley Singletary has gone home to be with the saints and the Master. Her viewing will be today, 5-8 pm at Carter's Funeral Home with services tomorrow at 11am at Carter's and burial following at Brookside Cemetery. Fran Miller is in room 1823 at St. Luke's after back surgery. Was awake this morning but in much pain. Billy Erlewein is in room 911 at St. Luke's, too, as he deals with pneumonia. He may go home tomorrow, but not sure. He is an amazing guy, always smiling, seems like. Betty Smith and Pearl Doyal have both fallen this week as well as Babe Schwartz. All three are bruised and hurting but no broken bones. Patty Walger is home but not feeling well. Doug Clough seems to be doing really well after the gall bladder removal. Dusty Bolin says she feels better, too, but still weak, especially in her legs. Please lift this group up in your prayers.

   GRACE. God's Riches At Christ' Expense. The R is the key. It's not just God's Reclamation of us. But all God has is for us. He is for us. His Son is for us. His Heaven is for us. Now, that's Rich.  Today. Forever.

   See you Sunday, love, Ken.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Good Morning,

   Ninety nine drops of rain on my windshield, one slides down and two more fly away to be replaced on another rainy day in November. Yes, it rained a little bit yesterday. At least over here in the east end, anyway. Then a truck full of vegetable oil sprang a leak on Hwy. 290. Slip, slidin' away. That's what he did, alright. They are still on the hunt for the oily rascal. Seems like an oil trail may be somewhat easy to follow. You've got to get up very oily to fool an HPD detective. The oil truck was  headed to our kitchen to replenish our weekly supply. He knew what today was and was running late. No way can we have our Wednesday meal without a tanker full of artery blocker, aka oil. Vegetable oil - how is that? I have ate many vegetables and didn't really consider them oily. If the oil in fact comes from vegetables and vegetables are good for you, why is the oil so bad? I've never eaten a greasy fresh tomato, or squash, now maybe corn is a little oily possibly so I can understand corn oil but I struggle with vegetable oil. Exactly which vegetables are oily? And how come the oil is almost clear when tomatoes are red, squash is yellow and green and broccoli is green and beets are red, etc., etc., etc. Is there a Beekman in the house?  These questions demand answers. It's a plot against vegetables by the pig fat folks - PFF. PFF, hmmmmm, PF Flyers, too. Ever wore those? Those were for kids like me who couldn't afford Chucks. Then when I got a pair of old school Chucks, classic, off white canvas Chucks, circa 1969, almost mint condition, original laces, sticker still on the side with Chuck's signature, everything - Terry threw them away. It was a black day. A mortal sin had been committed. So 30 years later she tries to make up for it by getting me another pair of Chucks, but they were GRAY,  LOW-TOP, no sticker on the side and they were laced the new preppy way where the strings go through the eyes backwards. I feel so cheap wearing them, so disrespectful to Havlicek, and Russell and Cousy, but I will struggle through as I feel like I can fly when I put them on. Today is Wednesday, enjoy yourself.

   Yes, it is mid-week family meal night with alfredo noodles with chicken, spaghetti, lasagna, new potatoes, broccoli, squash, salad, etc. It all starts at 6pm and then on to the Roman road at 7pm. Why not give us a try?

   From what I hear all is going well at camp. Very warm, but good.

   When the roots of trees touch underground, there is a substance present that reduces competition. In fact, this unknown fungus helps link roots of different trees - even of different species. A whole forest can be linked together. If one tree has access to water, another to nutrients, and a third to sunlight, the trees have the means to share with one another. Not a bad plan for humanity, Christians and the local church. Let's see.... who made the trees and humanity?

   See you tonight. Love, ken

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Good Morning,

   How do you do? What's happening? It is Tuesday. Monday is muerte. Dead. Gone. Blown up, sir. His-to-reee. Hallelujah, pass the plate and shake your tambourine. Your green tambourine. Is that a song lyric? I think so, or why would I have ever thought of a green tambourine, when I've never seen a green tambourine? Okay play your purple piano, then, you silly savage. Whatever the case, Monday is gone and Tuesday is here. It is not YOUR thing and no you CAN'T do what you wanna do. Why? You are God's Kid. Child of the King. Heavenly FATHER. Quit being so aggressive, little one.  Be the peace maker, not the one that everybody has to say calm down to. Do you catch yourself being frustrated over something or somebody every day? That frustration often turns into complaints and ridicule and gossip, doesn't it? Why not try another direction starting today. When a situation comes up, keep your mouth shut and your nose out of it and pray about it, right then. A quick prayer does not give you the spiritual authority to put your nose in anyway. prayer is talking WITH God not just to Him. Listen to Him, what does he say - make sure. Remember that hearing aide that allows you to hear soft conversations even in noisy restaurants? Put it on when you are talking to God - the hearing aid that puts your plans and thoughts in the trash and enables you to hear and understand God's words to you. When a person makes what you deem a mistake or doesn't allow you be part of something you think you really should be part of, get over it, understand that you are not the answer for everyone's situation and again pray for your shortcomings and the well-being of others. They are precious in His sight, no matter what you may be thinking they could do different. Lead them, guide them by your actions, body language and lifestyle. Tell God the truth about yourself, he doesn't need to hear about what you think is the truth about someone else.You are precious in His sight and he wants to hear from you, honestly, about yourself. Don't just give IT to God, give YOURSELF to God. Your bottom lip is made to kiss with and help grip straws, so don't poke it out. Get over yourself, get on with life and live if for God, because it is Tuesday and you can't change Monday - it's past, but why let your self pass without changing yourself. Your family traits of strong will, strong personality and getting the job done most likely are just that family traits, heritage, etc. But Paul says that we are to be NEW creatures. Quit throwing down on your family because it is your habit and personality to run the show, get your way, and know the best method and get the job done. But in doing so are you denying God, turning off believers and non-believers all in the name of "that is how I am."  So let's see God says He can change any body yet you say "that is how I am." Arsenio says "Hmmm" to that and Satan says "gotcha right where I wantcha." Make people's mouths fly open today as you chill, smile, be graceful, kind and unnosy. The world will keep running without your old attitude, I promise. On three, one-two - three - "I will be different, today, because I can't change yesterday and tomorrow may not come." "But I like to make sure things are done right", you say. Well, if that is the case what happened to you and what you are actually saying is, "I am a control freak." Be a Jesus freak, for today. Take care of the mirror problem. When you see Jesus in the mirror, then you can start on the other folks. Until then... But I am a good person. I know. We all are to some degree. But God said we can be great - supernatural, unlike who we were. No age limit, no excuses, no reasons to not be like Christ. NEW not patched. NEW not remodeled. NEW. YOU. TODAY. NEW. ME. TODAY.

   Tonight, Star of Hope Mission. We will leave the church at 6:45 pm. if you would like to meet us at the mission the address is 1811 Ruiz, Houston, Tx. 77002, about 4 blocks north of Minute Maid park across the street from Irma's Restaurant. The service there will start at 7'30pm and run for about 1 hour.

   Fran Miller is having her surgery today not yesterday as I reported yesterday. As far as I know, Patty will be going home today. i will check on Effie in a little  while.

   See you later. pray. love, ken

Monday, July 11, 2011

Good Morning,

   How are you on this bright Monday morning? The early bird gets the worm. But what about the poor worm? Nobody looks out for the worm. Animal activists rise up. Worm Wevolution. Speaking of animal rights, do you know that Americans spend enough on pet supplies each year to feed the entire world each year. With our pet funds we could solve world hunger. Hmmmm. That's just Americans and their pets. A lady told Michael W. Smith after his young daughter was killed in a freak accident that she knew how he felt because she had lost her pet dog at about the same time. Yes, it's true. I could not believe she had the audacity to tell him that and I couldn't believe he had the self control to not punch her. He's a better man than me, but she is wackier than I ever thought of being. There is a W.O.R.M.(Worms On Revolutionary Maneuvers) meeting tonight at 9pm behind the sewer plant, sponsored by Gordon's Fish Sticks and Charlie Tuna. Let's see, if money spent on pets would solve world hunger that means every time a dog gets fed then a human misses at least part of a meal somewhere in the world. I need Arsenio to say Hmmmmmmmm. Whatever happened to Arsenio? He has vanished, seems like. I think I must have been the only person that liked his show. Have a great Monday, worms and wormettes. It's a Wevolution. Viva la Wevolution.

   Tomorrow we go to the Star of Hope Mission at 6:45pm. We would love for you to join us. I assure you life will have a different slat to you afterwards. God will show you some things. Promise.

   Wednesday is midweek meal with chicken alfredo, spaghetti, lasagna, salad and a vegetable or two and then the Roman road and Paul's part in it. Begins about 6 and ends about 8. Why not join us?

   Well the youth and the sponsors pulled away a few minutes ago headed to camp. Please pray for them this week that God will become very very real to them. I believe the final count was 18 youth and 5 sponsors. We try to keep the student sponsor ratio under 4:1 and looks like we made it. The camps ratio overall is 6:1 but we prefer within our group to have better numbers than that for the protection of all involved and realizing that a sponsor can become ill or injured so we attempt to go fully prepared. A group of us will go to the camp worship service from here on Thursday evening. We will leave here around 4:30, but maybe as early as 4pm. I will have more details on Wednesday at the Bible study. We started this tradition  when I came here 4 years ago to show support for the youth and the sponsors and to enjoy worship with them. We will return Thursday night around midnite but could be as late as 1am on Friday morning.

   Michael Jordan's father, James Jordan, was murdered in the summer of 1993. Before that happened, Michael said this to columnist Bob Greene: " My heroes are and were my parents... It wasn't that the rest of the world would necessarily think that they were heroic. But they were the adults I saw constantly, and I admired what I saw. If you're lucky, you grow up in a house where you can learn what kind of person you should be from your parents. And on that count, I was very lucky. It may have been the luckiest thing that ever happened to me." 

   Wow... not a word about basketball. Take note parents. Are you your children's hero? Are they learning what kind of person they should be from you? Michael Jordan speaking of his parents and the words basketball or fame or money never are used. Maybe that football team, baseball practice, cheerleading practice and soccer camp aren't really as important as you are making them. Live for your kids not through them. Teach them life. The fastball, pyramids, crossover dribbles and blocking drills need to be a distant second. All that will fade as the years click by - just ask Michael -then reread above what he said about mom and dad.

  See you later, love, Ken

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Good Morning,

   How about a nice tropical sauna? Step outside. Enjoy yourself, it's Friday eve. How come the short work weeks seem the longest? It's no excuse Thursday. Just don't do it.  I didn't have time, I didn't feel like it, it's the way I am - none of that. Give it a try. How did you do with "no complaint" Tuesday and "no attaboy" Wednesday? Change comes hard, but is needed and required by the Master. What would the world be like if just us Christians finally realized that complaining, excuse making and needing compliments were a problem in our lives and changed? It begins with that startling reflection in the mirror. Give yourself time to change but not time to start changing. Time to start is procrastination and accomplishes nothing. Time to actually see the change through is necessary - your lack of patience may be shooting your chance at change in the foot. Start right now. Examine your thoughts, actions, words and body language so far this morning. How does it stack up with no complaint, no excuse , and no attaboy? How does it stack up with Jesus? Have a super day.

   Tonight is Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A, 5-8pm. Come see us. Please.

   Doug Clough is getting ready to have his gall bladder taken out shortly over at East Houston. Effie Brewer will have her back surgery at Park Plaza tomorrow morning at 6am. Patty Walger may ne transferred from San Jacinto Baytown to Methodist downtown if her stomach situation does not improve. Please pray for these and their families.

   Faith is the ability to see God in the dark. I needed to be reminded of that.

See you tonight, love, ken

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Good Morning,

   May I never hear the name Casey, again. The news media is in a feeding frenzy. Looks like the prosecution thought it would be as easy to prove her a murderer as it was to show she was a whiny slut with excuses for every misdeed she had ever done. Oh well, the jury has spoken. Now the question is, what really happened to the beautiful little child whose remains were found in the woods?  Enough national news. On to the local scene. A prisoner bus was in a wreck this morning on I-45. Shotguns and orange suits on the  inbound. Did I ever tell you about the Christian band that played a concert in the Uptown area one afternoon in those prison orange jump suits and the police showed up? It was a great day. If I were a prison guard and you were a commuter would you marry me any way, would you load my shot gun? Sittin' on a wrecked, barred bus, don't know if I'll ever be back again.Or, sittin' on a wrecked barred bus, wastin' time, wastin' time.  Prisoner, where's your guard? Blown up, sir. That's a fact, Jack. Have a great Wednesday. Beware of skinny girls and orange-suited men.

   Tonight at 6pm we will get together for our Family Wednesday Meal. The menu will be chicken and rice, corn on the cob, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, corn bread, salad, etc. Then on to Romans at 7pm. Come and join us.

   Tomorrow night is Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A, 5-8pm. Ride on in - 2 wheels to 18. No problem.

   Neil Anderson wrote, " Forgiveness is agreeing to live with the consequences of another person's sin. You're going to live with those consequences whether you want to or not; your only choice is whether you will do so in the bitterness of unforgiveness or the freedom of forgiveness.'

See you tonight, love, ken

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Good Morning,

   Tuesday already. Four day week. Sweet. Hot. Sounds like some kind of new Vlasic pickle. Sweet. Hot. Crispy. Tangy. Where did the name Tang come from? A drink mix that certainly wasn't tangy. Do they make that stuff anymore? It was a by-product of the space program, I think. It was not one of my favorites. Now, RC Cola - that's a different story - it's the breakfast drink of champions. Put a Moonpie with it and you've got breakfast. Pickles to Moonpies, only here at 101 Wacko Ln. Speaking of wackos, Roxie is engaged. Only kidding. She's not a wacko. She is engaged. Finally. Please begin bringing your artiifcial flowers that you no longer want and any slightly used white candles. Have a great Tuesday.

   Thursday is Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A. You can do three good things by being part of that. 1.) Support the Faith Riders Motorcycle Ministry. 2.) Support a great Christian owned business. 3.) Feed Yourself!. It's 5-8 Thursday. Let your cashier know you are with FBCNC when you place your order.

   Tomorrow night is Family Meal night and Bible Study. It all starts at 6pm.

   Grass fires, gossip and greed. Much in common. Begin with "G." Start small, destroy much. You can prevent them. None of them are funny, no matter the name you may give them.

See you later, love, ken.