Crazy Bird

Sorry I have no bear tales to tell but it was great to be in mountains on vacation for a week. I think this it first time we have ever stayed for a full 7 days. Ate way too much good food and had lots of fun. We did see lots of deer(2 big bucks) and a few turkey in Cades Cove. We also had a very pretty red bird that pecked on our window each morning(I think to try to eat a couple of dead wasp that were on the window sill.) That crazy bird would almost knock itself silly, time and again, hitting the window. The amazing thing it is that it kept coming back, again and again, though the results were the same.
Have you ever thought about how much like that bird we are. We often fail to learn from our mistakes. I was talking to a lady recently who had been abused by her husband and put out of her house. She was disabled and told me that the reason was that her first husband had shot her 5 times. Apparently, she married the same kind of guy the second time around. I believe that this is one of the reasons that God made the criteria for remarriage so strict(See Matt. 19:1-9). Often the same mistakes are made over and again, with tragedy multiplied, not only in the lives of the parties involved, but especially their children.
The Bible speaks of the woes of drinking intoxicating beverages in Proverbs 23:29-35. In that last verse it paints a true picture of those who are slaves to alcohol saying, "When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” No matter how badly one is hurt, he goes after the same old elixir.
It is good that we can repent and find God's forgiveness more than one time. His love is so generous to take us back again and again. But we must be both patient and persistent in ridding our lives of the sins of the past.
By humbly seeking God and sincerely going to His word, we can grow and avoid making the same mistakes over and over again. David said, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psa. 119:11)
Remember the red bird.

Number 6

6. I already knew about Paul and the cow poop and it is funny each time I hear it.

100 Things

You have to be kidding. Maybe I may complete this in a year or 2, but here are 5.
1. I don't have much patience with people saying a lot, when they only have a little to say(especially preachers).
2. I did enjoy the one on Paul's list about him wetting the bed.
3. I hate teeth problems, especially root canals, and have had more than my share.
4. I really have too much to do this afternoon to even be listing these 5 things.
5. I love all of my family and friends who read this blog and I hope you have a wonderful day.
David

Update and "Please Call Me By Name"

Wow, It is hard to believe it has been nearly 4 weeks since I posted anything here. It has been so long, perhaps there is no one out there to update. Anyway, if you are a preacher you will understand that after camp week was a week with speaking at 2 VBS's, and since then a holiday week, and now a week before vacation where I have 3 extra lessons to prepare before vacation week. Anyway, you preachers out there understand, if you are still out there.
Things are going quite well, actually. I am going to cheat a bit and include a great article that my dear Susan wrote for her blog. It is comforting to know that not only does the God of heaven and earth, the creator of the universe, know us by name- but he knows how many hairs we have on our head.(Mt.10:30).

Please Call Me By Name
In February, when we attended the Freed Hardeman lectures, we attended church on Wednesday night at the Estes congregation. Tom Holland always speaks on Wednesday night, and it is always a treat. When they made their announcements, it was announced that one of the members had just been diagnosed with colon cancer. I could tell it was someone who was a faithful, active member, simply by the way the announcement was made. As we were exiting the building, there was a lady standing in the back. Everyone was crowded around her. She looked to be about 50 years old, and she was crying. I could tell by the conversation that I was hearing that she was the lady in the announcement. Everyone seemed so concerned. One man stated- “We are praying for you.” The lady kindly replied, “Thank you. Please, call me by name when you pray! I don’t need generic prayers right now.” In other words, she did not want to be clumped with all of the other sick- she wanted her name brought before the throne of God. She wanted God to know that people were praying specifically for her. I don’t know the lady, or her outcome, but I do know that she understood that prayer is powerful. Will you help me as we pray for this people- and call them by name?
Melody Ferguson
Chandler Ferguson
Denese Billitz
Phillip Hammock
Chad Vernon
Bayley Maddox
Teale Yielding and Baby
Betty Garrison
Wayne Courington
Virginia Barnes
Eva Gaither
Would you like to add others to this list?