Lopped Locks!

Tabithia got a wild hair Friday and decided to chop off her hair. Well, I suppose mine is the only wild hair around here. Anyway, she had been planning this for some time. She wanted to donate to Locks of Love to make hairpieces for children with allopecia. I must say she does look younger now. I would comment on her age but most of my blogger friends are slightly beyond that age and besides I am 2 months older.

This short style was done just after she wrestled with a snake that threatened to eat our cat. That was how she depicted the scenario. The snake was not as big around as my fifth digit. I even think her pinky has more girth than the deadly viper. The cat was in no real danger. But I think we may have located Steve Irwin's replacement. Tabithia Mullins: Crocodile Huntress.

I Am Just Floored!

Well, I thought I would include a pic of the floor situation, since I pretty well take a picture of everything else. Our floor is typically level but the plate techtonics of our home have formed a mountain range in the middle of our kitchen. Not cool. This is the second time this has happened. It is unbelievable. There were all kinds of loud pops. In the rest of the house my new friend was busy cleaning the floor. Yes, it is our very own robot. He does a very nice job. The best part is we only paid $15 for it. A friend of ours bought a stack of them at an auction. We just need a robot to load the washer and dryer and fold the clothes, clean the toilets, dust, deal with the dishwasher. I really don't mind to load the dishwasher, it is the unloading part I am not fond of. Didn't the Jetsons have it good. That is what we need, a Rosie. Today a Roomba, tomorrow a Rosie. I guess we better quit dreaming and get busy. The Roomba only does so much. We better get busy!

Blah!

That is kind of how I feel. Yesterday was really like that. I am not sick, but I sure don't feel good. I guess it is just another case of Monday blues. After the weekend I had though, Monday is a good thing. Friday night was a stormy night. It did not storm very close to us though. Most of it was an hour away. Well, Saturday I went out with the dogs, it was still very muggy and hot. While we are outside, the wind picks up (one of the dogs...No, but you though that would be an interesting story). Suddenly there is such a drop in temperature. It felt like going from 85 to 60 very suddenly. Then the rain started and I got myself in the house. As I am inside I started hearing a terrible popping noise, nearly as loud as gunshots. I investigate only to find that our tile in the kitchen is separating from the floor...AGAIN!!!! There were places that had popped loose before and once before it raised to form a ridge. It raised to form a mountain range this time. I liked our tile floors, but we are not fixing it again for it to pop loose later. We are looking at hard wood floors this time. It was almost time to start getting the Christmas stuff out, too. There is such a ridge under the small table that the chairs are sitting crooked. I took a picture I will have to post it some time. That was Saturday.

Sunday morning the kids were rowdy. We were trying to practice for our program next Sunday. It was very tough. Practice for the Christmas program is going to be very interesting. Oh well, you can't have all sunshine. So a bad weekend every now and then makes you appreciate the good ones. I guess.

I Know What I Know

What a mixed up world this is sometimes, most of the time. I cannot believe how blinded some have become. There are those that strike out against the Church with such vehement outrage all out of vengence from a hurt they suffered years ago. I have watched as they have become consumed with this quest to bring down the Bride. The gates of hell shall not prevail. She will walk right through this and be presented to her groom. Hold your head up high, Church or perhaps it is best hung low in prayer. Do not be ashamed of who you are. God will show His favor. I still believe in the Church of God. I am not discouraged. I am not ashamed.

I know what I know. I was not tricked into believing it. God revealed it to me. I was not brainwashed. I still have a devine revalation. It is true that the people perish in the absence of vision. Without vision there is no driving force. Just as the blind man that sat begging. He sat just existing, no quality of life. he held out his cup waiting on someone to give him what they received, what they had worked for. It helped him but it could not save him. Then there was a different type of passerby. Jesus was on the scene. Sight was restored. Jesus gave him life, abundant life as he had never experienced. He gave him vision. The man who was blind could not merely rely on others. That just got him by. He had to go to Jesus to obtain his vision. There are too many today relying on the vision of others. There are too many today trusting the vision of others. I want to see for myself. Praise the Lord!!!!

I don't need to follow the the drama on a site. I need to follow the leading of God. There are those that have flip flopped on their stands from such influences. One moment they are at peace with things then the nexts it is all out war. There is a spirit involved in this kind of vision. We have heard it said, "Well, I just don't see it that (your) way." I want to make sure that I see it God's way. I don't need someone to tell me how to see it. Thank God I know what I know. It hurts to see those consumed with vengence. I pray Jesus would again open their eyes. God bless you all.

Lost, Stolen, Forgotten

I could not help after reading Becky's last post to take just a moment to make fun of her. No, actually, I am just as senile. This is how I know. Tuesday I just don't think all of my neurons were firing because I was a basketcase. I went to lunch at Backyard Burgers. I decided the drivethru would be fine because I was going to go down to the Church and drop something off. It was taking a long time so I just got myself in the mindset that I was going to have to wait. So I was prepared. When my turn at the window came. My food was ready. She handed it to me, then my soda. I placed them in the passenger seat and gave her my debit card ( I know where mine is). I am waiting for my card back. She comes back right away. I still have it in my mind that I am going to have to wait. So wait I did. I just sat there in that drivethru for another 3-5 minutes. I thought I was waiting on my food. The girl comes back and asks, "Did I forget something?" I look over in the passenger seat and see the food there. I said, "No." and got myself out of there while she laughed her head off.

That is not the end of the craziness. When I went to work, I changed a request. So when that happens I get a new order and a cancellation. I did that and went to the printer and pulled it off. I looked at what I had and said, "Well, I got an order and a cancellation at the same time." I never realized or remembered I did that until someone told me. Then it was like, "Oh, yeah." I don't know what my problem is. All of this is with my natural supplements of Ginko Biloba and Grape Seed Extract.

While we were at the Assembly, our room was in a cove off the road right beside a behavioral health hospital. I am not sure they were not one in the same. I might have stopped in for a free consult had time permitted. Maybe that is why room service always came in wearing white with that little paper cup saying, "Take these." Hmmmm?

It's Raining...

It just seems to be a Monday thing around here. There is actually a tax class going on where I am right now. I had to go use the internet at the tax office as I normally do. I am just way too cheap. Actually it is my wife. Perhaps she needs to read the post by sister Tammi. I guess I can show her when it prints in the Evening Light. Anyway. I feel trapped in here. My hair is a mess (should have grabbed a cap.) I just ran down here really fast. It helps to wake me up. Then the students arrived. I do not want to walk out in front of the. I am hearing all of this standard deduction stuff and low income tax tables...blah...blah...blah... It is scaring me actually. We normally have to pay in so much. It is causing flashbacks.

Let's see. We initiated the Ladybug Club this weekend. The girls went back for a tea party and virtuous woman lesson. I stayed out with the boys. We actually had boys for a change. Three little boys arrived for class. I taught them the the praying mantis lesson and then the ant. It was really nice. I did not tell you what the Ladybug Club is. Lil' Angelic Divas Yearning to Be Upright and Godly Servants. All of the little girls were encouraged to wear their hats and best dress up clothes. They all got a feather boa. They really enjoyed it. Tabithia and her mother worked the back. I really think me and the guys got ripped off. While they were having a party we just had five loaves and two fish. We were all filled though. It was a nice day. Children's church goes so well. In the past there were days that I would leave Church of Sunday absolutely exhausted and aggravated at how terrible the kids were. This time in Children's Church is so much better. It is more of a labor than a sentence. Actually the last reound years ago was not that bad most days. Sometimes it felt like Alcatraz.

There are some that testify at how glad they are that we are there to do children's church. It is kind of odd because the person who last did it is sitting there. She is glad we are there as well. It makes you feel good that the parents like it, the kids like it. Thank the Lord. We are through with the bugs now. We will practice for a program out front then move on to FALLing Blessings and Pauls Missionary Journeys.

I am still praying for God's will in my life. I want to be what He wants me to be. My list of things to pray for daily is growing. I may have to write it all down to be sure not to forget something. God bless you all. Perhaps you could add me to your list.

More General Assembly Pics

I think these are enough for one post as I am already having blogger issues today. Let's see, what do I have here. Of course there is Sis Smith at the piano. I sneeked this pic and she never knew it. She may have assumed the flash was from heaven. There was a point where some brother acted nasty behind me and I was afarid I was going to see a flash in the form of a lightning bolt. You know the army does that sometimes, they zero in on a target and miss. Well, God is so much more accurate than our military might. I also snapped a pic of the Canadians. Someone behind them is offering the right hand of fellowship or talking with her hands. I ususally talk with my feet. It is an Arkansas thing. I also have this adorable pic of this little boy. He was in the lap of the Sister in the other pic with the pom pom during much of the Assembly. They never knew I got that one. There was a little boy in the march that had his head wrapped in a bandage with a little blood on it. I felt so sorry for him and thought we should have prayer. That was until I saw another kid with similar "injuries" and realized that was their march theme. That is why we should not lay hands on someone suddenly. We could wind up looking very silly. It took me a long time to realize it was not real. I felt like such a dummy. I just felt so moved with compassion when I saw him at first. I wondered what had happened. Some of those kids nearly needed something as the Spirit was stirred within me during our worship in the VLB program. When i came back to myself I looked around and people had been ducking for cover all around me. I had a good 6-8 feet all to myself. This sister with several small children was all out int he isle trying to keep from getting stepped on or slapped. The fore-mentioned overseer (of Canada and NW) was too busy laughing to come to the rescue of these poor saints. I better post this to be sure it will post. I would hate to lose this volume of wisdom. *snickers*

Where did the week go?

I guess I posted four times in one day and could take a break. The first part of the week we had some very heavy rain. I am such a camera fanatic now that I think I have to take a picture of everything. I rain to the front porch and snapped as many as I could. The bird bath is one of the coolest ones. I call it "Bird Shower." I know that is so artsy smartsy. I think the splashes that I have captured are very neat. Then the next day I got called in early to work, so I was off that night. I went walking with the dogs and captured this beautiful sunset. Now, I know if you live in a more scenic part of the country or a more scenic country, then you have seen better sunsets. But, hey, I live in hillbilly (minus the hills...does that just make you a billy?) flatlands where the closest thing to a mountain is the railroad tracks. My ear pop going over them sometimes. Just kidding. I think that this was manic depressive weather. One moment it is dark and storming the next the sun is shining. That's life I suppose. I had intended to post these several days ago. I have been such a slacker. I have spent much time in my devotion. Normally that is a Wednesday thing...extended devotion. Thursday I was inspired again with something to do some deep studying on. So I guess I have not been slacking. I have had to devote my time elsewhere. This is why I call it the "ramblings." I am surely good at rambling. I will spare you from more of this post. God bless you.

God's Perfect Will

Well, yesterday was an interesting day. For Children's Church, we are still BUGGY, we talked about the praying mantis. Although he is such an ugly critter, creepy too, he always brings his front legs up in the unique pose that resembles prayer. The timing of this in remarkable. It is just before he catches his buggy lunch. We talked about blessing our food each and every time we sit down to eat. I complied a refrigerator list of prayers for them. My favorite was, "For eggs, and bacon and buttered toast, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It was a very good morning.

I just had a feeling that I would be asked to preach for the pm service. I was. I had no idea what to preach. Usually the Lord kind of helps me along ahead of time. I finally had peace in the decision as I studied on being in God's will, not His permissive will but His perfect will. I desire to be in His perfect will. If it means that I leave behind what I call home, I am willing. It is scary and easier said than done. Jesus was tempted after His 40 day fast. The enemy watched Him all that time and knew when to come in. He offered and challenged Him with different things. Jesus has spent time with the Lord. He was ready. He emerged from every challenge set before Him. The devil's real purpose for confronting Him there was that he knew Christ's ministry was about to take off. Every time it seems that we are about to get going in the ministry we are embattled ourselves. Let's press on. Let's fight on. Don't give up or give in. Ministry is knocking at our door. Matthew 4:16 declares that Christ ministry had begun. His light began to show just after making through the battles. God help us. I don't want to settle for less than God's perfect will.

One More!!!!

Okay, I know I have posted three other posts todya alone. This is a record for me. Blooger acts crazy when you try to post a lot of pics so I did it a little at a time. There are the pics from our Butterfly lesson in Children's Church before the Assembly. Jasmine is demonstrating her caterpillar she made while Destiny and Andrea are all wrapped up in another project. We talked about how we are all kind of like a worm until God comes into our life and changes us into the beautiful creature He wants us to be. I don't know whether they emerged from the TP any different, but at least the idea is there and one day they will realize that God is placing them in a coccoon. I remember God doing this to me one night as I sat in a service unrepentant and could not take it any more. I could hardly wait for the altar call. God began His work in me. There are plenty of times He draws me in for another transformation. As the little song goes, "God's gonna finish just what He started, even though the water's got to be parted. Lift up your heads don't be broken hearted. God's gonna finish what He started in you." He bagan this work in us and is faithful to finish it. I will continue to subject myself to the coccoon of God. I want to emerge beautifully perfect in His sight. God bless!

ELVIS IS ALIVE!!!!

I know I should not do that. It is so hard to resist though. I saw this man at our Assembly and knew that I must snap a picture. Since we live just an hour from Memphis, the home of the King, we hear so much about Elvis. I have news for everyone, he really is alive.

I have heard that the real Elvis has roots in the Church. He grew up so poor that there were those that helped his mother out. I am not certain if he attended during child hood or not. We have had more than one King in the Church. I must confess, I am not much of an Elvis fan. I have never been to Graceland. I am not that enthused at seeing shag carpet on the walls. I wonder do they vacuum the walls? Enough of this silly banter. I was too serious on the first post. I think I have made up for that now. "You ain't nuthin' bout a hound dog, cryin' all the time." Thank ya, thank ya vury much!

Yes!!!!!

Here is one of the highlights from the Assembly. We sat down at IHOP having been released from the fast and I had to take a picture to savor the moment. I think it might have looked better than it tasted. It was the worst IHOP food I have ever had. *BLUK* It was pretty bad, but I cleaned my plate regardless. I knew we were not in Ar-Kansas any more when I had to track through the smoking section to find the restroom. We have a new law in AR that prohibits smoking in or around restaurants or medical facilities. I LOVE MY STATE!!!!! I am just kidding about the whole fasting thing. I count it an honor to suffer for my Lord. In retrospect, that food does look pretty nasty.

General Assembly 2006

Here is one of the pics I took there at the GA. At this point I had tears streaming down both cheeks. I was and am still 100% sure of what God did there. There is so much more He is going to do. It was a blessing to be able to attend this GA. It was very different. It was as if God was taking us away from the pagentry of programs, etc and bringing us back to the simplicity of prayer and study of the word. Not to mention fasting. After the sacrifice from the previous week and the associated weight loss, when I heard Brother Smith call us to fasting, I nearly collapsed. God always enables us to do what pleases Him. However, it is still a great sacrifice. Didn't God move as He always does? It seems He has the perfect moment to reveal and confirm His will. We think it would be early. That would be good for us. He generally chooses later. I would dare not say late. God is never late. Just as Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus was not late, He is never late on our behalf. We may be late, but not Him. In the latter moments of the Assembly, God once again confirmed his choice. It was beautiful to have been there for that. It was amazing to fell that power as God was certainly in that place. It was not a rock the building power. It was a rock your heart power. I am glad that I was open to have felt that.

I'm HOME!!!

Just as suspected, I do miss you all that I was able to see at the Assembly. What a blessed General Assembly it was. My stomach muscles hurt from crying out to God so much. It was very different than any other Assembly I've attended. I know there are people that have left there with doubts in their mind. I have heard some talking about it. I have no doubts about the GO selection. I went into the process with an honest heart and no agenda of my own. God showed me. It was not all the message and interpretations as some feel sealed the deal. In part it was the wisdom with which the whole GA was conducted. God showed us that He desires less of our programs and more of the basics of prayer, fasting and studying of the Word. There is a change in me having left that place. God just convinced me in my heart that Bro Smith is the man of the hour.

I spent much time directly down front agonizing with God. I did not get up and return to my seat but I stayed down compelled to find the will of God. I never felt released form the selection process. When the selection was finally made, I immediately was released. Thank GOD!!! I praise Him today. I have awakened with His praises on my mind. I have a peace today. I just want to rejoice at the goodness of the Lord. Yes, the battles will rage hot and fierce now. Our Lord has showed us just how to make it through. Return to the simple things. Return to the basics. We are not able to do these things on our own. But He is! He is!! Thank God, He is!!!!

I feel good in my soul today. I feel peace. We did not rush a decision in the GA. We spent much time praying and seeking God. I cannot believe that some would be so quick to walk out on that Spirit of prayer to conduct another meeting. I cannot believe that people would try to take on the role of God and judge another or deny God's mercy to someone. Thank God for His precious mercy. I love the Lord! I love the Lord!!!

I will post more here later but I just had to tell of the goodness of God. Bless you all!!!