Time to Draw Aside

I have a journaling program on my PC and this was the assignment today. Hope it is a blessing to you.

Prose Prompt - Write a story about or tribute to an author, poet or musician (fictional or nonfictional).

He began his career in obscurity. He was the runt of the family and the "baby".. His brothers were fine, strapping kids who looked to be future warriors and leaders of men. he was relegated to prodding stupid, smelly sheep.

He was set aside for special times of quiet contemplation. He knew that sometimes strength came from stillness. Sometimes perspective came from being out of the hurried life.

We need the time when the distractions are diminished, the amusements absent and the clutter cleared away. This man-child, with a heart for God looked inward and upward for ways to occupy his heart and soul.

His sheep knew the comfort, courage and calm of his voice.

They knew he used the simple sling to defeat the bear and the lion. The bear- fierce and loud and intimidating, except to a boy who saw the Creator and feared not the creature.

The lion regal and intimidating. I lay in wait and pounced on those not paying attention. In a flash, the helpless pitiful bleating of the sheep as it realized too late, it's focused, fleshly desires had led it too quickly and subtlety into the range of the lion.

The lion, who lay in wait of the opportunity was about to drown in it's own saliva contemplating the tasty lamb.

There was however and unexpected factor.

The heart of the shepherd.

You see, it may have seemed like the stone from the sling did him in, but the lion was defeated by one with a greater heart. The shepherd king. David. Singer, Musician, Poet, King.

One of the greatest embodiments of a man's man in history. He could slay the giant or shed a tear for a lamb. John Wayne, Rambo and Chuck Norris are sissies compared to him.

Yet. he is an imperfect shadow of He who was to come-the Lamb of God, the Lion, the Good Shepherd, the King.

What troubles you today. The bears are growling and the economy is in the tank? Stay close to the Shepherd and hear His voice.

Being attacked by sin crouching at the door to your heart and home? Submit yourself to the King and the lion who prowls will have to flee.

Then, feel yourself, being lifted off the secure, stable earth. You are being raised up into the arms of the Good Shepherd and instead of standing on your own two feet, you are being held close to His heart. He is whispering in your ear, "I love you. I died for you. Why would you want to wander?"

Thigns I learned...on my First Cruise!

It has been a whirlwind 4+ days on the water.

As I took some quiet time to reflect this morning looking out over the Gulf, several things came to mind:


1 Don't wait so long to take a cruise. It has been probably the best,most refreshing vacation and time away Diana and I have EVER had. We enjoyed san Antonio for our 5th anniversary and Alabama for our 10th, but shi tops them all.

2 Take some time daily to slow down and mdeitate on the goodness fo God adn nto wait until the 4th day of beiong the middle of the Gulf. It is hard for many us to quiet our minds and hearts before God.

3 Set your own pace...make new friends... enter the corny contests. I have won 3 of 4 tyrivia contests I enetered adn have 3 medalions I can bring home to my trophies...my 3 girls! The final medal was won in a a tiebreakder between me and another contestant. we both got 6 of 10 song right and had to stand back to back to here the opening notes of another song. As soon as we could recognize it, we hollered STOP. I heard about 2 seconds adn hollered STOP. I wrotemy anser and was right...Dust in the Wind.

4 Bring you r kids on a cruise soon after yo do one by yourself. Girls, start saving your money and preapre to packlight.!

more next blog.

Great day...on dry land.

We went to Cozumel this morning after the ship docked. Diana was so excited she woke at 4 this morning adn watched the lights of the Yucatan until the sun came up.

e are so glad we got an Oceanview room. Many veterans of crusing say theylike interior due to less costsand they don't spend thatnuch time in room. With me beign claustrophoci adn Diana wanting to see what is goingon, the Oceanview worksfor us.

We caught a cab into town adnthen walekdaroudnthe plaza awhile We foudn a quaint little dafe adn had nachos adn bottled Coke. It was nice litlerepoat.

Got back on boat at noon and had lunch on the ship.


Enjoyed the Serenity dekc on the backof the bot. Dina worked on her tanand I read for hour or so.

Went to Promenade deck whereI won some trivia contests they had for passengers.

We watched the leaving from the peir at 5. It was fascinating ballet with 100,000 ton oa backing adn pivoting out of our dock position.

The most amazing thisn gtody has been the turquoise water. It's color and clairyt are inspiration. They remind us God is a marvelous Creator worhty of our every praise adn worship.

I thanks Him forthe first 25 years of marriage adn all thaqt it hs meant to me.

First Port of Call...Progresoo, Mexico

Second moring to wakeup on the Fantasy. We are now docked until 4 this afternoon at Progreso. It is a small port anf town on the Yucatan. We are going to stay aboard today and then go ashore in Cozumel tomorrow.

Secodn day in a row we had breakfast in the dining room as oppose to "Shoneys by the Sea" upstairs on the Lido deck. Lunch today will be in Windows on the sea becasue the dining rooms re closed until supper.

I am going to enter the passenger talent show but will have to sneak in as a singing act as oppposed to comedian.

The show in the Universe Lounge was nice song adnd dacne review and was nice after supper diversion. The constant karaoke in the different lounges with passengers is some of the best entertainment. I think I heard William Hung from AI.

WE WON WE WON~~

Diana and I won an additiona 3hours of internet time in a raffle onthe boat. At curretn speeds we cn send out 3 more emails.

Greetings from the Gulf!!

As I write this, Diana and I are on a Carnival Cruise heading toward Mexico. We are celebrating our 25th annivrsary.

It is a relaxing enjoyable time. I am using this time to be on a spiritual retreat, refocus on my multiple careers and make plans with Diana for the next 25 years.

We have made good friends with Bruno the internet manager. He is from South Africa and very helpful. He speaks 4 languages and has great perspective about being member of the global comunity and not so parochial that we Yanks tend to be.

Our Matre Di, head dinimg room guy, is from India. He has been with Carnival 17 years and lives in Mumbai. He is on the water 7 months at a time amd then gets back to his wife and son for two months.

More updates tomorrow.

Bye to and Faithful and Helpful Friend!!!

After nearly 13 years, we said goodbye to a family friend today. It was our 1996 Chevy Suburban.

Big Red had served us faithfully through the most important years of our children growing up. When we first got the vehicle, our children were 9,5,3 and 1. They are now 22, 20,18 and 14!

That Fire Truck Red Suburban has taken us on trips to Disneyworld, mission trips to Minnesota and even to officiate a memorial service for a young woman struck down in her youth in Jacksonville, FL.

Big Red was our carriage during Katrina and our refuge during Rita.

Big Red made long trips such as to North Carolina for a wedding and fun return trip on way back through Chattanooga.

This morning, we were having another car picked up by AAA towing. The driver asked about buying the car he was towing. I told him it was a recent purchase, but the Suburban in the back driveway was for sale.

Now, Big Red did not look like much. It had a hood that bulged up from two different accidents our son had in it. One of its' headlights drooped like a stroke victim who had lost control of his facial muscles. It's back door on the driver's side has been dented for three years. I did not get it fixed for two reasons. To get it fixed would have been more expensive than the car was worth and the dent was a reminder of a time when Big Red saved my son's life in an accident. Big Red was a great protective device.

Who cares about gas mileage when the vehicle can extend your life expectancy!

The tow truck driver asked could he drive Big Red around the block and I agreed. He returned 5 minutes later with excitement and hope. He got his wife and 2 year old daughter out of the cab of his tow truck. You see, they owned no personal family vehicle. Anywhere they had to go, the store, to see family or to work was in that tow truck.

Sometimes the wife had to walked 1 1/2miles to work if her husband was out on a tow job. Same thing at night if he was not around or she had to keep calling to try to get a ride home.

They asked the price and I told them. They were going to ask for a loan from his boss but, we worked out a better deal. God told us to drop the price considerably.

Big Red is now in the hands of a family that does not care about AC, paint and body work. They drove from the title transfer office like they had won a major prize. It was a chance to be blessed as we blessed them.

We wept for joy as they drove out of sight.

The man and his wife asked us why we came off the price so much and we told them God told us to. I hope that a seed of faith has been sown in the hearts of this precious, needy and struggling family. My prayer is that someday, they will tell their little girl about how they went to rescue someone and God showed up to their rescue!

May God bless them with Big Red as he did us for over a decade.

He is Better in Person than He comes Across on TV

Diana and I attended a fund raising event that typifies South Louisiana.

It was a cool evening in early spring, seafood was being prepared every way imaginable and we gathered at the stately home of the Sabadies. It sits on several acres and is fronted by woods and the back of the property backs up to a beautiful Bayou.

The main attraction was a visit with Governor Bobby Jindal. The man is what you would want a leader to be. Humble, gracious and a focused listener. He has a warm, easy smile and a good personal manner about him.

He also has passion for the sanctity of human life for the unborn.

He was taken aback when I asked him to thank his wife and children for giving up their time with him so we could meet him. Especially thanks for allowing him to lead our state. Most of us do not consider the sacrifice that the spouses and children make when their loved ones are in public service.

I hope he is the conservative candidate in a future run for the White House.

God has His hand on Bobby Jindal.

Pray the the Governor will seek not just politically skilled people to surroudn himself with, but people who can give counsel from God.