I'll Have to Blog About That...

I wanted to take a moment today to mark a milestone. There have now been over 1000 visits to my blog since I first started on August 12th. I have to admit that 1000 in less than three months is very humbling. I hope that those of you who read through this on a regular basis are finding something, at least from time to time, beneficial, inspirational, or at the very least humorous ( in some sick sort of way).

One interesting thing that I receive as a part of my blog, is a report on how people have been referred to, or found their way to my blog. I can’t believe how many people do a simple Google search for something and find their way to "Koinonia in Connexion" from all around the world. So far people searching for “Hymn of Promise” and “Sole Fide” (by faith alone) are two of the most popular. (apparantly a lot of people know what "Sole Fide" means) Another common way that people have found their way is by searching “Man with White Horse.” That is interesting because several of those visitors have come from Asia, so I am curious what they may be specifically looking for.

The most remarkable, however, has to be the searches relating to Barry Manilow. Oh my goodness, I can’t believe how many people have Google searched the words “I love Barry Manilow.” And “When October Goes,” and found their way to my blog. I’ll have to tell Karen that Barry must still be hot! LOL (Isn’t that a bit scary?)

So here is my list of the Top Ten Things I have learned about blogging since August.

10. Be careful what I write, people are reading and some are even paying attention. ( I know, I find it hard to believe as well)
9. When I write about theological issues, expect someone to disagree.
8. Be careful of using too many big words, or obscure references such as “Cecil B. DeMille"
7. Be sure to make a reference to Terri as often as possible.
6. People love dogs, so write about them often.
5. When writing, don’t whine so much!
4. When writing, don’t whine so much!
3. Be careful not to repeat myself.
2. Some people like my taste in music, but not everyone!
( I know, I don’t understand that one either)

And the number 1 thing that I have learned about blogging,

1. If I want a lot of people to read my blog, put Barry Manilow in the title!

Blessings

“Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”

Yesterday I gave my major sermon for homiletics class. I have to admit that it went much better than my earlier mini sermons that I told you about. As a matter of fact, I am not sure that I could have done any better. I do have to tell you something funny that happend. During the sermon, I described how when I think about the image of God parting the Red Sea, I can’t help but imagine Charlton Heston in the movie “The Ten Commandments,”
I picture him with his back to the sea saying to the Israelites, “Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” “The Lord of Hosts will do battle for us, behold God’s mighty hands, then he stretches out his staff and the waters part.” I then added as a moment of humor, “You’ve got to love Cecil B. DeMille.”

After the sermon we have the joy (pain) of standing in front of the class and hearing the comments, critiques and criticisms. One of the 20 something women said that she didn’t understand my reference to Cecil something or other and that I should be careful using a reference that not everyone would understand. Oh my goodness! I couldn’t believe that someone didn’t know who Cecil B DeMille was. I just laughed, looked at her and said Wow, do I ever feel old.

At that point the rest of the class erupted into laughter and started giving her a hard time about not knowing who he was. So at least, that made me feel a little bit better, and the instructor, who is not all that old himself said that I could normally feel pretty safe with a reference like that one, and besides, I figured that if you have to explain the joke, it kind of takes the fun out of it.

Anyway, I am glad that I can chalk one more thing off my list to do. Only 4597 more things to go!

Blessings

Hope For The Future...

I have to admit that with the election looming tomorrow, I have been a little apprehensive about the outcome. I wonder what the future will bring. Will the country make the right choice? I have seen two things today that have helped me put things into perspective. The first is the top ten predictions no matter who wins the election, and the second is this awesome video that Teresa sent to me. These girls are all sisters between the ages of 5 and 9 and this was performed at a Texas Tech basketball game on February 9th. When we have young people like these, singing the National Anthem with such passion, it is hard not to believe that the best years of the United States are still in front of us, despite who may or may not win the election tomorrow.

Enjoy the song and don’t forget to vote!
(If you don’t vote, you can’t complain)

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election
By Molly Hoffman

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of the people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon the people.
8. There will still be room at the cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

Amen

I LOVE BARRY MANILOW!.... naaaaaaaa

Things are continuing to stay very hectic around here. Yesterday was spent, for the most part, in preparation for today, and today was a very busy All Saints Sunday. On my last post I promised to share with you my favorite Barry Manilow Concert story. (Actually I think it is my only Barry Manilow concert story)

Karen and I had received free lawn seating tickets to Deer Creek (It’s now the Verizon Center) to see Barry. This wasn’t our first Barry Manilow concert, so we had a pretty good idea what to expect, although it was our first time to go to Deer Creek. Of course, we arrived even before they opened the gate in order to get the best possible first come first served lawn seats. After picking out just the right spot to put down our blanket we decided to wander around a little bit and check out what Deer Creek had to offer.

After about thirty minutes we found our way back to our blanket and I noticed that there was a young couple who had located right next to us. Now as someone who understands the etiquette of male to male conversation, especially at a venue such as a Barry Manilow concert, I was careful to keep the conversation with the young man next to me to the level of …….. Silence.

After a little while, his wife (girlfriend, or significant other) got up and left, followed shortly after by Karen getting up and leaving. This of course left the most difficult and awkward of male bonding moments, do you speak or just continue to ignore each other. Of course, in case you are wondering, the same protocols of silence exist in the men’s room as were being honored in the concert venue.

Now, there is one type of communication that is acceptable in this type of environment, and that is the male to male commiseration over being subjected to such an emasculating event. I don’t think that Tim the Tool Man would approve of a Barry Manilow concert. So, sensing that the moment was right for such communication, I turned to the young man and said, “It looks like I’m not the only one who was drug here this evening.” I was of course expecting the typical male response of, “You got that right!”

Instead, by the expression on his face, you would have thought that I shot an arrow clear through his heart. With a shocked and disappointed look on his face he simply looked at me in disbelief and said, “Oh no! I love Barry Manilow.” Now it was my turn to have the shocked and disappointed look on my face. I realized in that moment that I was being punished for violating one of the Man Laws, and that there was only one course of action available to me and that was to turn around and not look at him the rest of the night. I realize that there may have been other recourse's available to me under Man Law, but I really am not interested in violence, besides he would have probably beaten me up.

Anyway, I thought that it was important to tell you this story, since I was concerned about what you may have thought of my last post admitting that I actually like Barry. However, let me say in conclusion for those of you men who may be single, if you are interested in finding a significant other, let me recommend a Barry Manilow concert. There is at least a 3 to 1 ratio of women over men, and 99% of them will be disappointed that they weren’t selected to go up on stage and sing with Barry, that could just possibly be your opening.

Good Luck and be sure to remember to follow the correct male communication protocols.

Blessings

PS: I might also recommend the above T-shirt. My guess is that it might just do the trick for you!

Oh How I Hate To See October Go.....

We have finally come to the end of October, I have been waiting for almost a month to share this with you. I have always loved October. Maybe it’s because I was born in October, maybe it’s because I love October weather so much, it is traditionally the month with the least rainfall and most sunshine, according to what I have heard on The Weather Channel. Perhaps it is because of the warm sunny days and the frosty cool evenings, maybe it is because of the excitement of The World Series (not that the Cubs have ever been there) or High School football and homecoming. Maybe it is because of the harvest or the excitement of Octoberfest. It could even be the thrill of seeing the annual running of “It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” I guess I don’t know for sure, but all I know for certain is that I really love October and am always sad to see it go.

Which brings me to the Barry Manilow Song “When October Goes.” If you are married to someone who loves Barry Manilow as much as Karen does, you have basically two choices, make peace with Barry, or spend a life of suffering. I chose to make peace with him a long time ago. The reality is that I have always enjoyed Barry’s music. Don’t tell Karen, but I really never minded going to his concerts all that much. But, out of all of his hit songs, there has been one rather obscure song that has always been my favorite and that is the song “When October Goes.” The interesting thing about this song is that Karen was watching an interview on television with Barry one day and he was asked, out of all of his songs, which one was his favorite and guess which one he picked? No, not “Mandy!” He picked “When October Goes.” So sit back and enjoy my favorite and Barry’s favorite Barry Manilow song and when he gets to the last verse, you will understand exactly how I am feeling today!

“I should be over it now I know, It doesn't matter much how old I grow, I hate to see October go.”

Blessings
I will tell you my favorite Barry Manilow concert story tomorrow and then after that I will tell you about my adventure at the psychologists office, oh my you will want to hear about that one!

A Dog Named Lucky

There must be something about dogs here lately. God must be trying to get my attention about my little four legged friends. Maybe it has something to do with having just finished doing some reading about Saint Francis of Assisi. (the Patron Saint of Animals) Anyway, my friend Don sent this story to me and I thought that it was priceless. By the way the picture is of Rosco and Bosco. These were Karen’s dogs before Odie came along, and as you can see in the picture below, they helped to watch over Mary and keep her safe when she was a baby. Now Mary and Andrew just like to drag them around by their ears. (They said that they really don’t mind) Enjoy the story of Lucky!

A Dog Named Lucky

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.'

Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. She was terribly afraid and something made her feel that she was going to die from this disease....in fact, she was certain in her mind that it would be fatal. With fear and trembling riding on her shoulders, she called the Doctor to schedule the double mastectomy.

The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked her husband Jim, he was truly Mary's dog through and through. “If I die, Lucky will feel abandoned,” Mary thought. “He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him.” The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The appointed time came and the surgery was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated. Mary ended up being hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, and moped around, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom.

Jim did what he could to make his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to take a nap and get some much needed healing rest. Lucky stood watching over Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke up she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when she realized the problem. She was totally covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day.

It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God

Blessings

Tring to Stay Warm in Ohio!

It is a good feeling to know that the difficult part of my school week is now over. My papers are turned in for this week and now, other than reading, I am prepared for my classes tomorrow. I will mention that I received the grade today for my mini sermons that I got hammered so hard over. The first was a B (that was the one nobody liked) and the second was an A-. I guess that isn’t too bad, but it does mean that I will have to work extra hard for my major sermon which I have to give next week.

It is certainly getting colder over here in Ohio. I have noticed over the years that there can be a significant difference between the temperatures here in Columbus OH and home. But that’s ok, I am ready. I have my winter coat with me so even if it snows, which it did flurry a bit this morning, I am going to be ready. The only thing that I didn’t bring on this trip is my winter hat. A couple of years ago, I splurged and got one of those fur lined hats. I think I have seen them referred to as Mad Bomber hats. When Terri’s husband Josh saw me in it, he said that he didn’t think that he could look at me without laughing. Well, most people don’t laugh, (at least not to my face) but I will say that I certainly get a lot of complements on it such as, “it sure looks warm”, or “I would like to have a hat like that.” Do you suppose that they are just humoring the old guy in the funny hat?

When you get to be my age, you stop worrying about, or caring , for that matter, what other people think. All I know is that when I am wearing that hat, my poor bald head and ears stay nice and toasty warm. And besides, I have always hoped that I could live long enough to embarrass my kids as much as they embarrassed me when they were little. Aren’t paybacks great?

Blessings