Under our feet

Psalm 8 To the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen— Even the beasts of the field,

8 The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

Praises to God this morning. I woke in the middle of a dream, I remember I was trying to explain a point to someone and I kept getting interrupted. I never did get to make my point, but had made it to others earlier in the dream so maybe the others would pass it on. Don't know. Can't get back there. :) Then I fixed my coffee and opened my Bible to this passage. As happens many times, I paused over the scripture before heading to read my scriptures for today in a Bible study I'm doing on the book of John.

Your will be done

Luke 11: 1

1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”

It's been said that a man will suffer in this life if he doesn't pray, but I think they have this confused with the material and physical aspects of life. What will suffer is the life of Jesus in him, which is norished not by food, but by prayer.

It's not so much that "prayer changes things" as it is that prayer changes us. Our conversations with God bring us closer to Him and we find that His ways are so much better than anything we could choose for ourselves.

John's baptism

John 1: 29-34

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'

31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.

33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

I listen to NPR most days while I go about my daily routine. On NPR there is a challenge called "This I believe" where people submit what they believe and their words are read and posted on the "This I Believe" site. Some of the writing are quite moving and have made me stop and think about what I actually believe about many topics. While I don't think anyone has ever talked about baptism on NPR, the Bible does. The old testament is full of references to using water in rituals to symbolize cleansing. Certainly water does that better than anything. Not only does water clean, it refreshes. Jumping in the shower after you've been out in the hot Georgia sun will remind you of that.

John's baptism was just that, a ritual of cleansing by water to show putting away old life and beginning new or in their view, being cleansed from old ways and starting over. In 2 Kings 5:10-13, Naaman washes in the Jordan River to be rid of his leprosy. From a symbolic, spiritual view, this fits the baptism that John was offering. Also in Isaiah 1:16 there is the command to "wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My (God's) eyes."

I remind myself again that the people who were being baptized by John weren't Christians. The baptism of John was a Jewish baptism. Christ had not come yet! These were people that were following rituals they were accustomed to. The verses today hold deep meanings on so many levels and I'll be thinking on these today. In John's own words ...."the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." It always helps to have someone introduce you to new people doesn’t it? Those that introduce us are just as important as the words they use. The introductory words and the person delivering them sets the tone and opens the door to understanding the message to come.

Brother, Sister and Mother

Matthew 3:34-25
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!

35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

Yesterday I met my Mother at her church for the annual Mother's day photo shoot. I hate going. I protest each year that rolls around and it always makes me physically sick. She knows how much I don't like going, but I do it because she is my mother and I would feel guilty not showing up. The truth be known, I feel guilty anyway because I am doing something in her honor that I don't actually have my heart in. When I search my heart to see what might be my problem, all I find is guilt.

Today will be much better. Today I'll be able to tell my mother in my own way how much love I have for her. She is an inspiration and while I don't aspire to be like her, she has and does influence my life in ways I am proud of and I'm thankful I have her for my mother over any mother I know. :) I'm also thankful that I can go to her anytime for any reason and she is always there with open arms.

Annette, a friend of mine, said that on this blogosphere we become like mothers to each other. I agree, so with that I wish you a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Putting on

Acts 5:29

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!

I'm the worlds worst and worrying what folks will think of me. When I meet new people I always try to put on my best personality, but somehow what they get is just the same old Phyllis. I don't know why I even bother to worry.

This reminds me of the day a friend of mine and I found ourselves eating lunch at a local tearoom and the proprietor came over to ask where we were from. When we told her she said she knew a little girl that had moved to Thomaston and asked if we knew her. When we said we did, she asked, "does she still put on?" Well, the term "putting on or put on" in the South means that you are pretending to be something you are not to make people think more highly of you. We laughed, smiled then sniggered and admitted she did still 'put on. Silly us, or I should just say silly me.

I catch myself from time to time 'putting on. The thing is, I shouldn't because in the end it doesn't matter what others think of me, it matters what God thinks of me.

Like a tree

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

This morning is house is quiet except for the soft meows of Cocoa Puff. Now, there is one more gentle cat. She lets the girls drag her around in what I know has to be the most uncomfortable positions and just bides her time until she can escape under the bed or some other secret hiding place. Who says cats aren't smart? Not me.

Today in SS we will be talking about our actions, good and bad. Here are some of the questions. I know I'll be thinking more on these today as we continue our studies in Genesis and today in chapter 32.

1. Why do we make matters worse rather than solve them?

2. Describe a time when your actions caught up with you and created big problems. What do you wish you had done before this point?

3. What messengers have you sent ahead to prepare you for a threatening situation? What clues got you ready for what you were about to face? Why do you thing Esau chose to bring 400 men along with him?

4. How are your past mistakes affecting your present and future possibilities? What is God's path out of that predicament? What other paths compete for your attention, offering false solutions?

5. How do you keep from making things worse when feeling regretful about a past action or series of actions?

6. Describe a time in your life when you come to terms with your own sin and mistakes. Was this process easy or hard?

7.In two or three sentences rewrite Genesis 32:9-12 as if it were your prayer to God.

8. How has God helped you to accept what comes? What has He taught you over time?

9. Is it always right to admit fault, no mater how the other person might receive the admission? Why; what else should I do?

10. Whey do you think Jacob saw the face of God in his reunion with Esau? Where have you seen God's touch?

11. The amazing truth is that dealing with our sin sets us free. The justification and fear are what enslave. We know this, but we don’t act upon it. Why?
12. Sin is sneaky. It is often the little things that trap us. Give examples in your life.

13. What person will embrace you as you deal with the sin you have done or are doing?

The key to freedom from our own sin, guilt, and brokenness is found when we practice godly humility. Let God show you what to do about past wrongs, and how to heal relationships.

Powerful heavy questions this morning. I'm just thankful that we have a Savior that we can go to for help with anything, the big and the small issues.

Hope your Sunday is a good one with rest in preparation for days ahead.

The King of glory

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

Mr. Cason's vegetable garden at Callaway Gardens

A kiss of love

1 Peter 5: 12-14

12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.

14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Here in America I don't often see people greeting each other physically with a kiss of love, but in many cultures they do. Still, even if we don't physically greet each other with a kiss, we can in our hearts. What it all means is if our hearts are right, then everything else will fall in place too. It really is true.

It's said that little children can melt even the most hardened hearts. We see examples of this all the time with little children turning grumpy old men and women into happy, smiling beings just by being around.

Another thing that is said all the time in our culture is "If mama is happy, everyone is happy." That's true because so much of the time it is the woman of the household that sets the tone. Of course, this is true of daddies too, but the meaning of the saying is true.

Today I'm going to be thinking and praying about the greeting I send out each time I meet someone. I may not have any difficulty with this on the surface, but digging deeper, I know there is much to work on.



Carley Ann and friend Grace

The Overseer of your souls

1 Peter 2:13-25

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,

14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 "He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The idea that we would suffer for doing good is foreign to me. How would one do that? I can understand the suffering one might experience by living a Christian life in a society that doesn't accept Christianity, but just ordinary, everyday, doing good? How could one suffer for doing that? The more I thought about suffering for doing good and trying to think of examples in my own life, the more examples I found. Yes, you can suffer for doing good. I've been on both sides of this equation.

When I worked in the corporate world I had a co-worker who was always cheerful but really, really, REALLY, cheerful each morning when she came in the back door to our building which lead her right by my office. I always arrived early to work so I could settle in and get organized for the day, so I was always the first recipient of her cheer. I've always valued and protected my morning rituals as my special time, not to be interrupted by unimportant things and other annoyances. I like to ease into my morning and not be jerked into any action. This cheerful person had become an annoyance to me. She interrupted my quiet ritual and demanded I pay attention to her song each and every morning and there was no getting around it. She had her routine and I had mine. She was doing “good” but I didn't appreciate the thought. One morning, in my desperation, I lashed out and asked her if she could be just a little quite when she came in. She was crushed. She thought she was bring cheer to what she perceived as an office that was much too serious and sadly quiet. I still think about this from time to time and am disappointed in myself for lashing out to such a sweet spirit of a girl. I apologized but still, there was no undoing my action.

This morning I am thankful to the small blessings of life and for the not so small sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for all of us. I am thankful that even when we stray, He is there seeking and waiting for us. I am thankful that He is the overseer of our souls and we have His example to follow in all things.

Enjoy your day.

Material Wealth

James 5

1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.

2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.

3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

6 You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

Reading this morning and thinking on this passage in James 5, it's once again clear that those that have monetary wealth have to be very careful to use and treat that wealth for God and how He would have money used. It's not the actual money or the treasures that are the problem. The problem lies in making money or treasures into gods. Each time I read this passage I begin to think of Truett Cathy who is the owner of Chick-fil-a. Cathy certainly is a good present day role model on how to have material wealth and still be faithful to God.

Still, reminders are always good. I'm thankful that I can read God's word this morning and be aware of using money the right way and while enjoying my earthly treasures, never putting them before God.

Commissioned

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.

3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,

13 telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.'

14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."

15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.


16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Before time

1 Corinthians 2: 1-5
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

One afternoon last week I got into a conversation with someone about a passage in the Bible and it's interpretation and who we look to as our spiritual leaders. I love to talk about and study God's word and enjoy listening to others about what they are studying and what they have learned or believe. This particular passage wasn't really a difficult passage but rather just a jumping off point for discussion..."In the beginning was the Word..." John 1:1 from there we jumped to Titus 1:2 "faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,". We were talking about God existing before time existed and what we thought timelessness would be like. :)

In the end we both agreed that the most important thing is not what different theological masters say but rather who is in charge of us all. Our faith should not rely on the wisdom of men, but rather in the power of God. That's why none of us have to have all the answers and none of us are in charge. God has all the answers and He is in charge... Thank God.

A bit of trivia:


This is the famous bridge that Monet had constructed. His color choice for painting the bridge is maintained even today. I think he chose this exact green color so it would stand out from all the other natural greens of his water lily pond.

Kindness

Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Yesterday it snowed and the girls got to catch a few snowflakes. I know you can't see them... but they did and were thrilled. :)

Truth

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

These are powerful words and I know they have something deep to tell me. On the surface I understand how knowing the truth, or as some say,” get to the bottom of things", would get rid of doubt, fear, anxiety or other negative human conditions I often find myself experiencing. Knowing the truth about something helps me understand it's orgin. If I have all the facts I can make better decisions.

The problem is, I think I don't always want to face the truth because it is painful or too hard to deal with. Sometimes it shows me that I am at fault or that I need to change either my thinking or my way of doing something. I've been on the edge of this for quite sometime now dealing with health issues. Why is it that even though I know the truth I continue to reject it or not do the right thing? I think it's about surrender. If and when I am able to surrender to the truth I know, I will be free.

I know I'm looking at this verse in the intellectual or philosophical sense. I think I've often quoted this passage without really thinking about its context too. I bet the Jews listened and understood Jesus intellectually too, or maybe even politically. Again Jesus uses objects or ideas we CAN understand to help us understand deeper things.

Jesus is the Truth. Listening and following what He tells us does set us free. Free not from sin but free to choose the truth over sin. This verse gives us the plan of salvation in a nutshell. :) That's my thinking this morning. I know these words will be in my heart and mind today as I dig deeper.

Callaway Gardens April 2007

Hope your day is a good day friends.

Lists

19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

20 and said:
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.

21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.

22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.

23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king."

Well, I'm coughing my head off this morning. Funny how we use phrases like that to describe the condition we are in and everyone understands exactly what is meant. At least I don't feel ill so I'm thankful for that.

This morning I picked up a workshop book on Daniel that was taught by Beth Moore via video tape last year at our church. I didn't finish the course because I missed a couple of sessions when I re-injured my knee, or at least that was my excuse. By the time my knee felt better, I had missed so much and felt so far behind, I just didn't go back.

Anyway, in Daniel 20, Daniel shouts praise to God for answered prayer. He starts out talking about God and ends with talking to God. Daniel makes a list of who God is and then thanks Him for answered prayer. I think sometimes we need to remind ourselves who God is and then make an answered prayer list just like Daniel did. I'm guilty of getting an answer to a prayer and then moving on to my next request without taking time to thank God for what He has already done. Since I'm a list maker, perhaps I should sit down and list my answered prayers starting out with the ones from my childhood. Wow, just thinking about doing this makes me realize I'm going to have to get a journal with lots of pages.

Fruit

But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Over the course of years I've gotten my fruits mixed up. Thank goodness I can always turn to the Bible and to wise men and women who have lived before and get myself straighten out. I was thinking about bearing fruit and the many scriptures we have studied where Jesus and others have talked about bearing fruit like "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5

Recently I read a quote from Oswald Chambers where he said, "Fruit is not the salvation of souls, that is God's work, fruit is "the fruit of the Spirit," love joy, peace, etc."

The next time someone tells me to go out and bear fruit, I'm going to remember what bearing fruit is as God would have us know it. If we produce "the fruit of the Spirit," then God can do His work through us and people will come to know Him. It's not we who do the work of salvation, but God. We are just branches.

Heavy stuff for my pea brain on a Sunday afternoon, but good to think about and know once again it's God who is our master and we only need to do as He gives direction.

Instruction

Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come. Proverbs 19:20

A letter to Dr. Cliburn on his 50th service recognition

Dear Dr. Cliburn:

I praise God for the honor to have known you and your family. Memories of how your family and ours have crossed paths and been a blessing to us over the years are way too many to write down, but I want you to know that each one has a special place in our hearts and I thank God for them.

Your ministry in Thomaston and beyond has blessed my heart and been a great help to me especially. You probably don’t remember all the ways as I am just one of thousands over the last 50 years, but I do. I remember how much you helped me with a class I was leading on prayer life at Fellowship Baptist, and of course, I will be forever indebted to you for speaking with me personally about family matters and offering words directly from God’s word to help me deal with difficult situations.

I thank you for your ministry to my mother, Ruth Russell, at New Hope Baptist. Your words to her from the pulpit as well as to her personally have meant so much. She continues to thank God for you and for the work you did at New Hope as well as all the other churches you have served as interim pastor.

I thank you for also extending your love to my son Brent Franklin, daughter in law Terri Franklin and my precious granddaughters Carley Ann and Anna Claire Franklin. Your ability to connect with all the generations is amazing. Brent still remembers your visits to our home when he was little and you were our pastor at First Baptist and then our pastor at Fellowship Baptist when he was a teen. It’s all of these memories that are precious to all of us.

With all our love, Phyllis and family

Super Bowl Sunday

And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. Ephesians 4:23

Each day I pick up my Bible and read I find something new, something I didn’t see before or understand before. This is a given because we all know that we don’t know everything there is to know and never will know everything. This is true unless you are a teenager, then you know everything.

This morning it occurred to me that reading something new and having God show me something new are entirely different. Of course reading the Bible is one way God talks with us but God has infinite ways to show us what He wants us to know. I think what happens is we get stuck in the same old routine. Unless we mix it up a bit we will see and hear things the same old way. Some folks resist change. A good example of this is how we get stuck in our public worship service singing the same songs and following the same order. Now, I tend to like order and tend to find comfort in knowing what will happen next, but having an open heart to try new things might give us a new message from God that we would miss if our hearts weren’t open to change.

Tonight our church is going to try something new to many of us. We are going to open the church fellowship hall to a special service that will also show the super ball on the big screen TV. From 5 to 10 members will take part in watching evangelistic messages like the one featuring Chargers running back LaDainian Tomilinson, have a chili cook-off contest, and hold our own half time show by having “Mark the Magic Man” present the gospel using his magic act. I have to admit I’m not a football fan and probably will not stay the entire time from 5 to 10 but I think bringing the gospel message into our lives in a different way is a good thing and will be in prayer that this evening special activities will touch the lives of many who need to hear, see and be shown a message from God in a new way.

What's within you?

Jesus has told us that the kingdom of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, "Here it is," or "There it is," because the kingdom of God is within you. Read Luke 17:20,21 it's a beautiful passage.

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.

He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read: " The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, At late or early hour Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.

He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now-broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.

Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return.

The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His hometown would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2. [There's also a restored plane similar to the one O'Hare flew.]

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.

God's Love

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalms 127:3

Wouldn't you know it. This morning I woke with a sore throat. It's the first time I have been sick with this kind of thing in at least 6 months or maybe longer. For the last couple of years I have suffered and suffered with all kinds of upper respiratory woes so this year, around September, I went and took my very first flu shot ever. Now, I'm not saying that taking the flu shot has kept me from getting my usual upper respiratory sickness' but it's interesting that I have stayed free from sneezing, coughing, scratchy throat, runny nose, sinus and all that for so long this season.

After coffee, my throat feels much better so I think I'll just go the gargle with warm salt water route and lots of chicken soup. I decided to join a group that are sharing photos celebrating Sacred Life Sunday. I have so much to be thankful for. My photo for this first time is of my grandchildren of course. Each time I look at them I'm reminded of God's love and how much I am thankful they have parents who want to raise them walking inside the footprints of Jesus.



This photo was taken this past fall in my garden ramble. I don't think I'll let it overgrow like this again, but I really had no choice since I couldn't get out there and pull weeds, stake, and tidy up. Hopefully my leg and hip will be better when gardening kicks off for 2008 and I'll do better.