Serve by Design

Each Lord’s Day, I usually take sermon notes. It helps keep me focused and attentive to what God is saying through the message. Last Sunday, I thought I would just listen and forget the note taking. We had taken a day off from our church to visit our son and celebrate our granddaughter’s birthday. As I listened to the message on a couple of the Ten Commandments, I couldn’t help but reach forward for a piece of note paper in the hymnal rack. With pen in hand, I feverishly tried to catch up with what I was hearing! Photo Credit: Andrew Moca unsplash.com We have worshipped in this setting before and have been blessed at other times to hear the lead pastor speak. He is a gifted communicator and always offers such insightful applications from the Bible text during his messages. The title to the sermon was “How to Keep Your Physical Blessings as Blessings.” The text was from Exodus 20 where Moses lists the Ten Commandments, and related teaching from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. ...

My Grandson Benjamin looks out for his Poppi! He started treating me with respect and deference long before he was employed this summer as a part-time “stretch therapist” by the local chiropractor. I like to believe his gentle back rub greeting has been perfected since his clinical experiences of late! "My favorite tour guide!" Ben meets people well, loves his family and has numerous close friends. Subsequently, he has become a social magnet for serious discussions, understanding popular culture and is always up for the plain enjoyment of being together. He’s my “go-to guy!” We have enjoyed sharing insights about our current reads with each other while chatting near the bookshelf in his bedroom. Ben likes to read all kinds of literature. When it comes to movies…there isn’t anyone I’d rather see something special with on the Big Screen at Cinemark or even the Little Screen in the upstairs home theater than Ben! This year we adventured through Black Panther , Mission Impossib...

Steve Nichols, photographer and producer, WAND News, recently led a group of volunteers in a clean-up project at Lake Decatur. He, along with several other "anglers," had noticed how much plastic and metal container debris was scattered around their favorite fishing holes. Several were complaining that the disregard for the local recreational environment was distressing and shocking. Nichols summarized the sentiments of many during an evening newscast as he made an appeal for change with this strong statement, "This should NOT be happening!" He encouraged all who enjoy fishing at the lake to take a trash bag with them to pick up after themselves and spend some time policing the area for other trash left behind. Ready for Recycling Bin! We have been recycling for several years now. It gives us a measure of consolation that the plastic, paper, aluminum and even the glass we generate can be reprocessed "to see another day of usefulness!" I'm happy to repo...