Monday Ramblings

• Just getting my head clear from the weekend. Had 7-9 middle school girls for Disciple Now stay at our home. I am doing things that I used to say only old people do. For ex; 10pm is bedtime, silence and solitude is therapeutic, having a place for things and things in their place is a good thing, it is good to be grown-up(I think)


• Enjoyed our Worship yesterday. Our focus was on Missions. Was reminded by one of our men the only thing we failed to do during the service was to PRAY for the people the missionaries are ministering to and he was right. They need our prayers as well. Don't forget to pray when you put on your shoes! "how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace"



• Our church family enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal together last night and then shared some things for which we are "thankful." God is good.


• I have an idea for "Thanksgiving." Tell me what you think. Let's serve the community a "thanksgiving meal." I realize we can't serve everyone but we could select some of those less fortunate year by year. What do you think?

Soap Box Items

• Ted Stevens......shouldn't a felony conviction eliminate you from serving as a US Senator no matter how old or how long you have served? You probably would be turned down for a job at most fast food restaurants with a felony.


• The Big 3 CEO of automakers.....did you see where they flew on private jets to DC to ask taxpayers(you and me) to bail them out to the tune of 25 billion?


• Cell phone companies.....There is no loyalty for existing customers. You are treated much better if you are opening a new account...Has anyone ever noticed this?


• Pacman Jones.....Will he ever learn?


• An 8 year old murderer.....Is anyone surprised?


• Phone bills......I have a bundle package......What degree must you have to be able to read and understand the bill?


• No car insurance card......If you can prove it within an hour or so, does it really matter if it's in the car? Evidently it does, and I've got proof of that.


• I'm weary of Brangelina, Brittney, Lohan, and Hilton everywhere you turn.


• I am of the opinion that if Senators, Congressmen,Governors, or any other public servants decide to run for the Presidency/ Vice Presidency, they should resign their present position while campaigning or at least be on leave without pay. They certainly aren't serving their constituents jetsetting around the country. Is that too harsh?


• Jonestown.....30 years ago. That story is still sad and yet intrigues me how one man was able to orchestrate the death of 900 plus people.


• What's on your soap box?

The Barber Pole, Andy Griffith, and the NFL

I still go to an old fashion Barber here in town. (yes, I go and get my hair cut and people who are there waiting wonder why? It's because I like it!) Anyway as I was sitting in the chair early Monday morning, I became intrigued with the Barber pole. You know the red, white, and sometimes blue pole. So I asked my barber about the origin. I thought it was interesting and for those of you who aren't familiar with it. Here it is.

In the Middle Ages, hair was not the only thing that barbers cut. They also performed surgery, tooth extractions, and bloodletting. French authorities drew a fine distinction between academic surgeons (surgeons of the long robe) and barber surgeons (surgeons of the short robe), but the latter were sufficiently accepted by the fourteenth century to have their own guild, and in 1505 they were admitted to the faculty of the University of Paris. As an indication of their medical importance, Harry Perelman points out that Ambroise Pare, "The father of modern surgery and the greatest surgeon of the Renaissance," began as a barber surgeon.
The barber pole as a symbol of the profession is a legacy of bloodletting. The barber surgeon's necessities for that curious custom were a staff for the patient to grasp (so the veins on the arm would stand out sharply), a basin to hold leeches and catch blood, and a copious supply of linen bandages. After the operation was completed, the bandages would be hung on the staff and sometimes placed outside as advertisement. Twirled by the wind, they would form a red & white spiral pattern that was later adopted for painted poles. The earliest poles were surmounted by a leech basin, which in time was transformed into a ball.
One Interpretation of the colors of the barber pole was that Red represented the blood, Blue the veins, and White the bandages. Which has been retained by the modern Barber-Stylist.

If you are asked the question on "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" then don't forget where you found the answer!

Andy Griffith trivia question

Well, the question was a little more difficult than I thought. I had a few people who told me they simply didn't know it and I had one correct answer so far and that was from Howard and Clara. CONGRATS TO HOWARD AND CLARA!

The answer I was looking for was "good ole 14A" or the original title of the song was "Welcome Sweet Springtime".

HERE IS A NEW QUESTION!

In the episode titled "The Manicurist" what was the name of the manicurist played by Barbara Eden? (she was best known as I Dream of Jeannie)

Titans Go 10 and 0. Can they do it? I would love to see it happen but they have some tough games remaining.

They have the Jets at home (who are playing pretty good and they have Brett Favre, from Mississippi)

Then the rest of the schedule is as follows;

at Detroit

Cleveland at home

at Houston

Pittsburgh at home

at Indianapolis

Time will tell!

A Me'lange

I, like many other people, have enjoyed certain television shows through the years and am grateful for syndication. My all time favorite would have to be "The Andy Griffith Show". About 15 years ago I had the bright idea of putting together an "Andy Griffith trivia book". I worked tirelessly watching episode after episode on VHS in order to compile a list of questions that would make up the content of the book. Ita wasn't easy fast forwarding, and rewinding those vhs tapes to make sure the answers as well as the questions were correct. That was before DVDs and DVRs.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I submitted a proposal/idea to a couple of publishers but received no takers. It was and in my opinion still a good idea. I have a few variations if anyone is interested. Nevertheless, all of the handwritten notes I spent hours watching the episodes were for naught. I was looking through some old stuff the other day and came across those hand written trivia questions. I had a new revelation. I know many people out in the blogosphere enjoy TAGS and so I am going to post an Andy Griffith Show Trivia question every so often. I think it will be fun. Send your answer to lapstrahan@gmail.com and I will post the answer and the first names of those who guessed correctly. No looking it up on the internet or googling. Let's get started and we'll begin with an easy one. As Gomer would say; "Lots of luck to you and yours!"

Trivia Question of the Week

In the episode "Barney and the Choir" what was the name/number of the song the choir was practicing?

What is your favorite episode?

Friday's are Fun!

Most people enjoy Fridays whether they are working or not because it means the weekend is about to begin. I don't mean to be technical but Sunday is not a part of the weekend. Sunday is the first day of the week but over the years it has come to be known by many as the end of the weekend because our work week begins on Monday.

Friday is casual day for some people, in other words they don't have to dress in the normal attire. We let our people come to the office in blue jeans. On Friday our office (for the secretarial personnel) closes at 1:00pm. There are a couple of staff folks here on Friday afternoon, including me, which I use for study because it is very quiet. Friday is a fun day because for most of us Saturday is an off day. There is no school, lots of football, golf, movies, eating out, shopping, and many other options for you to involve yourself depending on the time of year.

Some people live for the weekend. They work all week just to get to the weekend. Their life begins at 5:00pm on Friday and comes to a close early Monday morning prior to the beginning of a new work week. Songs have been written about the weekend. Remember this one from the 80's "Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy. Now there is a good name for a band! Steve Wariner sang a song simply called "The Weekend." Barry Manilow sang a song entitled "Weekend in New England". Well I am sure there are others. What are you going to do this weekend?

Let me suggest something for you to do this weekend. Attend a Worship service where you can connect with the Creator of this Universe, Jehovah God! During these difficult economic and unstable days it will be a breath of fresh air to your soul and will encourage you. Don't go alone, take your family or a friend with you. Let the Lord Jesus Christ speak a word of comfort and grace to you! The weekend will take on a different meaning when you make Worship a priority. We were born to Worship the Creator! Listen to this Psalm from King David!

1 I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned

I hope to see you this weekend in Worship!

Random Thoughts

God is in the news!


In Ratanur Nepal, many believe that Buddha has re-emerged from the jungle. The reincarnated Buddha is an 18 year old boy. He was first recognized in 2005 in south Nepal where he spent months without moving, sitting with his eyes closed beneath a tree. One believer said "I have no doubt in my mind he is a god, he has been meditating without food and water and no human can achieve such a feat."

In DC a group of atheist have launched an ad campaign under the title of "Why Believe in a God?" The American Humanist association has spent $40,000 to run these ads on buses in the city and they will run through December.

In Exodus 20 the bible records these words "You shall have no other gods before Me." The writer of Psalm 73 asks the question "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare Your works."

We must "go into all nations and tell the good news". From D.C. to Nepal and every place in between, people need to know the Lord.

• I want your opinion. I am going to replace my computer. In the upper right there is a poll. Tell me what you think.
• I hope to have last Sunday evenings sermon on the website by the weekend. You should be able to find it at this link http://www.fbcowb.org/resources/sermons.php

Hot Topic on Sunday Evening!

Alcohol was the topic for this past Sunday evening and the bottom line for me is abstinence. I shared with my congregation my upbringing and other factors which began to form my conviciton in the area of alcohol. I grew up in a small town in South Mississippi where you could not buy, and still cannot to this day, alcohol of any kind(legally). Alcohol was not a part of my home life and it was always looked upon with disdain. As I grew I was exposed to the damaging effects of this addictive drug and today through a study of the Word of God I realize the choice for me is to abstain. That is my desire for everyone especially "followers of Jesus"! It is an issue which evokes many emotions but one that is settled between you and God.

Abstinence is not required (for everyone) in the scripture but I believe it is recommended. The bible does not say drinking is a sin but certainly can lead to sinful behavior and even drunkeness. Drunkeness is clearly sinful to the point of keeping someone out of heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

I shared some reasons for abstinence (credit James MacDonald, they are not original with me). Here they are:

1. Alcohol is an unnecessary drug. ( it is one of the most abused drugs of our day)
2. Alcoholism is a sin not a disease. (1Corinthians 6:9-10)
3. Alcohol is addictive. (some people become alcoholics)
4. Alcohol is destructive. (the statistics are mind boggling)
5. Alcohol impairs wisdom. (Ephesians 5:18)
6. Wisdom calls on us to set it aside.

One of the major reasons for abstinence as I see it is the damage it does to our witness for Jesus Christ. Paul mentions it a couple of times in 1 Corinthians and Romans. He also tells us many things are lawful but not everything is helpful. In Romans 14 he reminds us that we don't live to ourselves but to Jesus. The Christian life is not a life lived selfishly but for the glory of God so others might be drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ. One question we must ask is "Can I use alcohol socially and be a positive witness for Jesus Christ? The answer for me is very clear!

Look at this old newspaper article.

A member of Alcoholics Anonymous once sent columnist Ann Landers the following:

We drank for happiness and became unhappy.

We drank for joy and became miserable.

We drank for sociability and became argumentative.

We drank for sophistication and became obnoxious.

We drank for friendship and made enemies.

We drank for sleep and awakened without rest.

We drank for strength and felt weak.

We drank "medicinally" and acquired health problems.

We drank for relaxation and got the shakes.

We drank for bravery and became afraid.

We drank for confidence and became doubtful.

We drank to make conversation easier and slurred our speech.

We drank to feel heavenly and ended up feeling like hell.

We drank to forget and were forever haunted.

We drank for freedom and became slaves.

We drank to erase problems and saw them multiply.

We drank to cope with life and invited death.

Can a Christian drink alcohol? yes. The title of my message was not "can" but "Should a Christian drink alcohol?" I am convicted wholeheartedly the answer is NO!

(1 Corinthians 10:31) "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everthing for God's glory."

(Proverbs 31:4-7) (Proverbs 23:29-35) (Proverbs 20:1) (Romans 14) (1 Cor. 6: 19-20)

I realize many people disagree with my position (which is OK) and sometimes you simply have to disagree. My purpose is to share my conviction. You must come to your own conclusion. Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you come back.

Here are a few helpful websites. You probably know more. Send them to me!

http://www.alcoholfreechildren.org/en/index.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

http://www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov/

My Promise to You Mr. President!

History has been made! Change is coming! America has spoken and we must move forward. One of the greatest single mandates given to me and other followers of Jesus Christ is that we PRAY for our President. That is my promise to President Obama and Vice President Biden. I will pray for you. I will pray for;

1. Wisdom
   
2. Guidance


3. Discernment


4. Good counsel
   
5. Protection


6. Health


7. your family


8. you to be influenced by the Holy Spirit of God


9. that God will place around you people of God on whom the Spirit rests

As my friend used to say "You need the prayers and I certainly need the practice!"

"far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." (1 Sam. 12:23)

Election Day is Here!

I trust you will vote today or already have this morning. It is a privilege we should not take lightly. I was reminded last week by Brenda, one of the ladies in our office, no matter who wins God is still in control. You may have seen them. They were given the title predictions but I believe they are promises.

TOP 10 PROMISES---IF EITHER MCCAIN OR OBAMA WIN
10. The Bible will still be reliable

9. Prayer will still be answered.

8. The Holy Spirit will still exalt the Lord Jesus.

7. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

6. God will still use the preaching of the gospel.

5. The purposes of God will still not be thwarted.

4. God will still care for His people.

3. There will still be room at the Cross!

2. Jesus will continue to save sinners and continue to build His church.

1. Jesus is still coming again.

"The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes" (Proverbs 21:1)

Judy, a lady in our church, came up to me and said there was an 11th one;

11. Whichever candidate wins the White House it won't be long before He wishes the other man had won. (that may be true)

Let's vote today and as you are bombarded with the news of the election throughout the day pause and PRAY for our country and the candidates that above all God will be Glorified!