Finding Old Memories

I am in the midst of moving from my old office to the one I am to occupy in our new wing. Among the things I found stored was a cache of old bulletin articles I had written in 1980.  I had kept them with some vague idea that I might compile them into a volume to submit for publication sometime in the future. Well, it is the future, and I am not sure I am up to a compilation or receiving rejection letters.  I decided to put some on my blog.  Here is the one from December 11 of that year.

My dad and I were together for an afternoon and evening a couple of weeks ago. We went to see a high school football playoff game at the Astrodome. We used to do such things often when I lived in Lake Jackson, but it  was the first time in a good while that we have done it. We both enjoyed it. I hope we don’t wait so long to get together for another such outing again.

While driving to the Dome we began reminiscing about his mother and some of her philosophies. This lady was one of those truly great Christians. She lived her faith every day, her good deeds were a positive force on everyone who lived in her small farming community. She believed in doing her best at whatever she was involved in,  whether the task was a pleasant one or not. She complained very seldom and expected to do her share.  She slept soundly every night, she said, because she did not have a guilty conscience. Now her rest is eternally secured.

Her philosophy is not one that is widely spread in our society today. All too often we only want to do enough to get by. We look for ease and comfort. Frequently we expect to have things given to us. We would rather be “done for” than “do for” someone else. This attitude is prevalent in our work, our family life, our religious life, everywhere. At the appearance of a stumbling block, we give up.

We need to be ready to fight for the victory. Without combat, no victory is reached. Without labor, we cannot arrive at rest. My Christian brothers, be the best you can be. Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Relaxing/Unwinding

This post is in response to a challenge to write a blog in reaction to the topic of relaxing/unwinding.

I am a hard working, and self-motivating kind of guy, but it is not like those driven guys that define themselves by the hours worked. I work with lots of people, which means that there is potential for stress and tension. And I do get frustrated on a not infrequent basis. But I love my job. I seldom have a headache or lose my appetite over such things.

As I have thought about it today, I have decided that at least part of the reason those things are true, is that I can let things go fairly easy, and find a way to relax or unwind. I don’t think one little blog will hold all the things that I find relaxing and refreshing.

I have a Lazy Boy recliner that is a good friend. When I sit down in it, it sorta welcomes me with open arms and a soft embrace. The world melts away, and all the more so if there is some inane television show on the tube. I can vegetate without a serious thought. Or I can pick up a book and lose myself in it. It doesn’t even have to be a particularly good book.

I can relax by playing in the yard with the grandkids, or taking a walk with my wife. I love to relax over a meal, whether a feast or a bowl of cereal. If you take me out to the ball park, I don’t care if I never get back.
A vacation can really rejuvenate me, especially if trip allows me to get to Dominica , in the Caribbean. There is a place at the end of that island that is so magnificent that I am enlivened just to sit there and soak up the view.

Over the past couple of years I have found that blogging is a way to release a lot of the days burdens.
I suppose that my conclusion is that the activity is not so important as the ability and willingness to let go of things that can drain me of the ability and will to do the duties that are mine to do.

Trying to Decide Where To Blog!

I have been a blogging for a bit over two years, with most of my post on WritingUp.com before it ceased to exist. I wandered around a bit then till I found Communati.com. I liked the feel of the place and set down some roots there. It has been off line now for about three weeks and does not look like it will survive. So I am in the midst of finding someplace that will be around for the long haul. Maybe Word Press is the place I will settle.

Go Figure–A New Blog

Through the summer the congregation where my wife and I worship have had a youth ministry intern. This young man and his wife are in college. He is studying to become a minister. It has been a learning experience for him and a blessing to our work.

His wife has seen how much fun I have in blogging. She has decided to start her own blog. I hope you will check out this <a href=” http://sumsup.blogspot.com/”>New Blogger</a>!