One of God's greatest blessings is dear friends and family with whom we can share our lives. Thanks for being a special part of mine. All my love and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Holiday Greeting
One of God's greatest blessings is dear friends and family with whom we can share our lives. Thanks for being a special part of mine. All my love and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Would You Sell Your Soul For A Fruitcake?
(Here is some "food" for thought, and a sermon idea or bulletin article for you preachers out there.)
Many folks would quickly tell you either, "I love fruitcake," or "I hate fruitcake." I can fall into either category depending on what kind of fruitcake it is. I have had some that I hated. I really liked the Benson Old Home Fruitcake that came in my Aunt Marie's package from Virginia each year. But my love for fruitcake started many years ago with a dear Parrish preacher's wife, Betty Bramlett. She gave Mom and Dad one that she made and it had no filler cake- practically all of it was candied cherries and pecans. Whatever else was in there was delicious. In recent years I have made some that I really liked. This year I found that Costco has a fantastic fruitcake that is better and much cheaper than I can make one. Enough about that, what would you do for a good fruitcake?
Hosea 3:1 shows how the Israelites left God and served idols. Part of the reason was they loved the "raisin cakes of the pagans." That reminds me of Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew(Gen. 25:29-34).
I would hope that none of us would forsake the true God for a fruitcake, but some forsake him for worthless things:
Some forsake God for earthly riches that will persish(Matt 19:21-24; 1 Tim.6:17-19)
Some forsake God for alcohol(1 Cor 6:9-11; Prov 20:1)
Some forsake God for sexual pleasure(Heb 12:14-17; 1 Cor 6:18-20).
Nothing is more important than our relationship with God that will lead to eternal life. Would you sell it for a fruitcake? Some do it for less! David Courington
Many folks would quickly tell you either, "I love fruitcake," or "I hate fruitcake." I can fall into either category depending on what kind of fruitcake it is. I have had some that I hated. I really liked the Benson Old Home Fruitcake that came in my Aunt Marie's package from Virginia each year. But my love for fruitcake started many years ago with a dear Parrish preacher's wife, Betty Bramlett. She gave Mom and Dad one that she made and it had no filler cake- practically all of it was candied cherries and pecans. Whatever else was in there was delicious. In recent years I have made some that I really liked. This year I found that Costco has a fantastic fruitcake that is better and much cheaper than I can make one. Enough about that, what would you do for a good fruitcake?
Hosea 3:1 shows how the Israelites left God and served idols. Part of the reason was they loved the "raisin cakes of the pagans." That reminds me of Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew(Gen. 25:29-34).
I would hope that none of us would forsake the true God for a fruitcake, but some forsake him for worthless things:
Some forsake God for earthly riches that will persish(Matt 19:21-24; 1 Tim.6:17-19)
Some forsake God for alcohol(1 Cor 6:9-11; Prov 20:1)
Some forsake God for sexual pleasure(Heb 12:14-17; 1 Cor 6:18-20).
Nothing is more important than our relationship with God that will lead to eternal life. Would you sell it for a fruitcake? Some do it for less! David Courington
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Home Again for the Holidays
Home Again for the Holidays
There is some truth to the saying, “You can never go home again.” Since change is a part of every life, home is not the same when you go back. But you can go home again, with wonderful reminiscences.
No, I did not grow up in the day when you got just an apple and some nuts for Christmas. Yes, we had fruit and candy in a stocking, but there were always presents and and usually at least one special toy that myself or my brother Billy were excited about. I recall us getting a Creepy Crawler Maker, pogo sticks, and Billy getting a dancing monkey named Clancy.
Guns were always Christmas favorites for me. I remember Mama and Papa Courington getting me a really nice set of metal cap pistols with holsters and all, just like the kind Hoss had on Bonanza. I had admired them in the window of Wilson Beard’s grocery story for some time. By the time I got them, my anticipation was built to a fever pitch. Perhaps my favorite gun was a big bazooka called a “Big Blast.” Dad had to go to Birmingham for that one. You pumped it up and it did indeed have a “Big Blast” as it shot a ball of air several feet away. You could set up a paper cup or something and knock it over if you were a good enough shot.
I remember when I was 11 or 12 and wanted a real gun. I had made sure that Mom and Dad knew that I really wanted one. I don’t remember anyone saying, “You’ll shoot your eye out,” but I do recall that there was no small amount of discussion as to whether I should have one. I kept looking at the packages under the tree and hoping. I really didn’t think I was getting it. There was one box that was heavy enough, but not nearly long enough. Little did I know that rifles come in two pieces. Excited was not the word when I opened it and found that I had not only gotten a gun, but a really nice one, a Remington 22 semi-automatic with a handsome wooden stock.
Yes, I still have it and I think I’ll get it out and shoot some next week, and reminisce some more about how much fun it was to go to the dump with Dad and shoot it. I would also get to shoot the WW I Colt 45 that his uncle Bill left him. I didn’t want to shoot it much- too much recoil(and I think that my be what damaged my hearing in one ear.)
No, I have never shot anyone or even come close, but Billy did almost shoot me once. We went squirrel hunting with Papa Studdard in Winston County. I used my Remington and Billy used an old single shot that belonged to Papa Courington. As we were walking along(with a bit of snow on the ground in the shady spots,) I heard that rifle’s sharp, loud pop right by me- so much for the theory that guns don’t go off accidentally. He was in front of me, holding it over his shoulder pointing back, but luckily I was a little to the right. Hmmm- seems like it always pays off to stay a little to the right.
I guess that is enough cogitating for now, but remember, in the musings of the mind, you can always go home again for the holidays.
There is some truth to the saying, “You can never go home again.” Since change is a part of every life, home is not the same when you go back. But you can go home again, with wonderful reminiscences.
No, I did not grow up in the day when you got just an apple and some nuts for Christmas. Yes, we had fruit and candy in a stocking, but there were always presents and and usually at least one special toy that myself or my brother Billy were excited about. I recall us getting a Creepy Crawler Maker, pogo sticks, and Billy getting a dancing monkey named Clancy.
Guns were always Christmas favorites for me. I remember Mama and Papa Courington getting me a really nice set of metal cap pistols with holsters and all, just like the kind Hoss had on Bonanza. I had admired them in the window of Wilson Beard’s grocery story for some time. By the time I got them, my anticipation was built to a fever pitch. Perhaps my favorite gun was a big bazooka called a “Big Blast.” Dad had to go to Birmingham for that one. You pumped it up and it did indeed have a “Big Blast” as it shot a ball of air several feet away. You could set up a paper cup or something and knock it over if you were a good enough shot.
I remember when I was 11 or 12 and wanted a real gun. I had made sure that Mom and Dad knew that I really wanted one. I don’t remember anyone saying, “You’ll shoot your eye out,” but I do recall that there was no small amount of discussion as to whether I should have one. I kept looking at the packages under the tree and hoping. I really didn’t think I was getting it. There was one box that was heavy enough, but not nearly long enough. Little did I know that rifles come in two pieces. Excited was not the word when I opened it and found that I had not only gotten a gun, but a really nice one, a Remington 22 semi-automatic with a handsome wooden stock.
Yes, I still have it and I think I’ll get it out and shoot some next week, and reminisce some more about how much fun it was to go to the dump with Dad and shoot it. I would also get to shoot the WW I Colt 45 that his uncle Bill left him. I didn’t want to shoot it much- too much recoil(and I think that my be what damaged my hearing in one ear.)
No, I have never shot anyone or even come close, but Billy did almost shoot me once. We went squirrel hunting with Papa Studdard in Winston County. I used my Remington and Billy used an old single shot that belonged to Papa Courington. As we were walking along(with a bit of snow on the ground in the shady spots,) I heard that rifle’s sharp, loud pop right by me- so much for the theory that guns don’t go off accidentally. He was in front of me, holding it over his shoulder pointing back, but luckily I was a little to the right. Hmmm- seems like it always pays off to stay a little to the right.
I guess that is enough cogitating for now, but remember, in the musings of the mind, you can always go home again for the holidays.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Sympathy
We were saddened to learn of the death of Mandi's(Daniel's wife)grandfather, Mr. Bradford(David's dad) on Saturday. He had a car accident in Albertville. He was a member of the Blessing Church of Christ. The funeral will be on Tuesday at Albertville Memorial Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. Not only have we grown to love Mandi very much, but her Mom,Dad and family as well. I want to express my deepest sympathy to all of them.
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