A Funny But True Quote

People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention. Sad but true!

He Who Laughs Last Thinks Slowest. Why is this always me?

What I Like About A Day Off

I usally take Thursday off. I've taken most of them off for the last fifteen years. I used to play golf every Thursday but haven't had much time to do that since moving to Mansfield. Maybe one day I'll play golf on some Thursdays again.
Here are ten things I enjoy about a day off:

1. I usally get to sleeep in a little longer.
2. I'm able to work out for two hours in the morning.
3. I usually have Chinese Food or Pei Wei for lunch.
4. Sometimes I may go see a movie.
5. I may watch a movie at home.
6. I might take a little nap in the afternoon.
7. I mow the yard so that I don't have to do it on Saturday.
8. I get to do a little reading.
9. I don't have to shave.
10. It is usally date night for Debby and me (unless Debby is too tired, then we just stay home and eat cereal and watch some recorded CSI shows).

Monday is Labor Day and of course, I will take it off as well. Oh yeah!!

What I'm Reading

I'm reading too many books at one time again. I don't know why I keep doing that. It takes me forever to finish one. I know I would be smarter to read them one at a time and finish them one at a time, but for some reason I keep wanting to read one book at night before I go to bed. I listen to one book in the car when I'm driving. I read one book in the morning when I get to the office and read another book while I'm eating lunch or dinner. That's just the way I do it. No reason, except its like that is what I'm thinking about at those particular times of the day.

Here are the books:

What I Like About Working Out At The Gym

Debby and I recently joined a gym. We decided it was better that trying to walk and run in 105 degree tempatures. We got a good deal on it. We didn't have to pay the down payment only the monthly payments for the next 12 months. If we work out everyday it will cost us less than a dollar a day. I thought about the things that I like about working out at the gym. Here they are:

• It's easier on my joints using the treadmill and recumbent bicycle than running around the neighborhood streets.
• They have televisions tuned to the news and the olympics and I can listen with my FM receiver on my Zune. It makes time go by faster.
• The machines gives me a calorie count of how many calories I'm burning.
• The machines show me my heart rate.
• Debby & I can do this together.
• It allows me to burn calories so that I can have dessert every so often after dinner.
• If it's raining I can still get in my workout.
• The place is air conditioned.
• I am able to listen to an audio book or sermon for an hour or two.
• I get a good cardio work out.
• There are so many types of machines I can work out different areas of the body.
• Satisfaction of knowing that working out is just good for you.
• I don't feel rushed to finish my workout.
• My joints don't hurt as much when I work out on these machines.
• It keeps my weight down.
• I don't feel like a couch potatoe anymore.
• I don't dread working out as much as I used to.
• So far, not body bugs me about paying for personal training.
• The machines are still in pretty good shape and so they work well.
• I can really work up a good sweat.

I would recommend a gym membership to anyone if you will use it. I hope I'm still using this gym membership after 6 months instead of just paying for it and not working out. I better!

I Don't Have A Probllllllleeeeemmmm!

I have two, what Debby calls, problems or strange habits. I can't agree. See if you think so.

#1 I like getting something for nothing or practically nothing. I like rebate programs. Especially, those companies that offer full rebates when you purchase their product and then send in the rebate form and receit. I love buying software this way. Whether I need the software program or not--if it offers a full rebate, I will buy it. I have so much software on my shelves and in a few boxes I don't even know what I have anymore. I do use some of it and some of it isn't worth the discs they came on anyway and since it didn't cost me anything--oh well, I haven't lost anything, except maybe the tax. But I'm entertained over it and its cheaper than going to a Ranger game.

#2 During this time of year Walmart & Target will offer their Mead Spiral 70 sheet notebooks on sale for a nickel or a dime each. I use alot of these Spiral notebooks to take notes on for sermon writing or taking down messages, etc. I don't journal, even though some people say you ought to Journal, I don't. I have a hard enough time writing things for this blog and keeping up with it. Well, back to the subject at hand, the spiral note books. Again, Debby says this is an illness--I will go to Walmart & Target and by a 100 or more of these spirals at both places. I have two boxes full in my office, two boxes full in my house, and I'm pretty sure there are still about a 100 of these spirals in the garage in boxes that we haven't unpacked since we moved in a year and a half ago. Debby has forbidden me to go to Walmart or Target to buy spirals. Psst, don't tell her but I sneaked out at lunch the other day and bought 25 more, they only cost a $1.50. I had that in pennies in my desk drawer. Don't worry, I'm not taking any needed supplies away from any small school children. I only use the college ruled, I don't like the wide ruled. Walmart always has plenty of the college ruled on the shelf.

Despite what Debby says, I don't think this is an illness, I don't think I have a problem. Hey, I'm getting a good deal on these things and it keeps me happy. Besides, Debby is just jealous because I'm having so much fun doing it. I don't think I'm being complusive. Do you? No, I don't think I am. Ope, I've got to go, the Fry's and Walmart ads have just arrived. I've got to go see if anything good is on sale.

Giving It All You've Got

I'm continuing my series on the "whatever you do" passages or the "everything" passages. This last week I preached from 1 Cor. 10:31, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. This week I will be preaching from Col. 3:23, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...
Paul is talking to slaves here in regard to how to live as a Christian when you are a slave. No doubt here is a principle that applies to every Christian as well, though particularly the slaves of Paul's time needed to be reminded of this. Most of us are employed by someone else and the folks who are our employers are many times hard to work for because of some reason or another. So, how should we conduct ourselves in these matters--whatever you do give it your very best because you are in essense doing it for the Lord and unto the Lord.
Give it your best:

• in worship
• in work
• in leisure
• in your role in the family
• in your community service
• in study
• in spite of the dangers around you
• in spite of the opposition around you
• in spite of the disadvantage it may bring to yourself
• even when it's not the popular thing to do
• even when it's seems you don't have the time (this is what self-sacrifice calls you to)
• even when your the only one giving your best
• even when it's easy to get away without giving it your all

There is a blessing to us when we give it our best:

• Satisfaction that we did the right thing
• Emotional fulfillment
• Knowing that God is pleased
• Knowing that God is glorified
• A healthy attitude toward living life
• Peace of heart & mind
• A good nights rest
• A stronger body & mind for the next project
• A defeat of Satan's temptation pawn of mediocrity
• Respect, from at least God, and who knows, others.

Grace, Shawn

Pictures Speak A Thousand Words

Some of you have asked me to put up a picture of myself since I lost some weight. Well, here is one. You can tell I've lost weight mostly in my lower face.

Here is one of Jennifer. She has a real bad summer cold.

Debby's brain grew overnight and stretched her head out. She's really smart you know.

I Love Rangers Baseball

The Rangers have really been alot of fun to watch this year. They have played some etertaining baseball. The pitching is still the weakest part of the team and if only the pitching was a little better this year, we might still be in this thing. Then wouldn't you know it the LA Angels are having one of their best seasons and they are like 12 games in front. I don't think the Angels are going to be challenged to the end of the season. So, I'm really hoping to see us maybe sneak in a wild card birth into the playoffs. It's a long shot, but hey we beat the Yankees last night when Byrd hit a grandslam in the bottom of the nine when the score was tied to win the game. I'm glad I stayed up to watch that game. Now, tonight the Rangers are leading the Yankees 3 - 0 in the 4th inning. To beat the Yankess at home two games in a row is a small miracle in itself. I haven't been to a game this year. I should have by now but we have a new HD TV and it sure is nice watching a ball game on such a sharp and clear picture. I can sit in my easy chair, I have my computer here and I can work and watch the game. Plus the air conditioning is on and its a lot cooler in the house.

Carol and a Red Bike

Little Carol came into the kitchen where her mother mother was making dinner. Her birthday was coming up and she thought this was a good time to tell her mother what she wanted. "Mom, I want a bike for my birthday." Now, Little Carol was a bit of a troublemaker. She had gotten into trouble at school and at home. Carol's mother asked her if she thought she deserved to get a bike for her birthday. Little Carol, of course, thought she did. Carol's mother, being a Christian woman, wanted her to reflect on her behavior over the last year, and write a letter to God and tell him why she deserved a bike for her birthday. Little Carol stomped up the steps to her room and sat down to write God a letter.

LETTER 1: Dear God: I have been a very good girl this year and I would like a bike for my birthday. I want a red one.Your friend, Carol.
Carol knew this wasn't true. She had not been a very good girl this year, so she tore up the letter and started over.

LETTER 2: Dear God: This is your friend Carol. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and I would like a red bike for my birthday. Thank you, Carol.
Carol knew this wasn't true either. She tore up the letter and started again.

LETTER 3: Dear God: I know I haven't been a good girl this year. I am very sorry. I will be a good girl if you just send me a red bike for my birthday. Thank you, Carol.
Carol knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get her a bike. By now, she was very upset. She went downstairs and told her mother she wanted to go to church. Carol's mother thought her plan had worked because Carol looked very sad. "Just be home in time for dinner," her mother said. Carol walked down the street to the church and up to the altar. She looked around to see if anyone was there. She picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary, slipped it under her jacket and ran out of the church, down the street, into her house, and up to her room. She shut the door and sat down and wrote her letter to God.

LETTER 4: I GOT YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE