I Don't Post on Sundays .. Annie-more

Tomorrow. Tomorrow. I'll see you tomorrow. It's only a day away.

"Tomorrow will be as today, And much more abundant."

- Isaiah 56:12b

Birthday Greetings .. Again

It seems like the past several posts have been filled with nothing but anniversary and birthday acknowledgments. That is because the last few posts have been filled with nothing but anniversary and birthday acknowledgments.

Today is no exception.

It is my mother's birthday and I wanted to do something special (I've been trying to post a JibJab video for the past hour or so .. but I keep getting an error message). However, it looks like that "ain't gonna happen."

Mom, you will just have to settle for more of the same old .. same old.

Since we are on the subject of old ...

Actually, I don't think of my mom as being old. She remains active and she can still whisper in public (the elderly have no concept of this .. perhaps they have to talk loudly to hear themselves). However, I turned 52 yesterday and I suppose that indicates she must be, at least, approaching "getting on up there."

Some things do get better with age.

• A fine wine (not to be confused with a fine whine - the thin, shrill sound made by children in public places like the grocery store or Walmart .. evidently, only heard by dogs and all the other shoppers .. the child's parent never seems to notice).

• Cheese .. of course it sometimes gets moldy and stinks (let's skip that one).

Okay, that's really the only things I can think of that improve with age.

Mom, looks like there's not much to look forward to .. except taking care of dad.

I sure wish that JibJab video would have loaded.

Love you!

"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old" - Proverbs 23:22

Happy Birthday to Me

SURPRISE!


TODAY


EYE

B-52!

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing" - Psalm 92:14

Memphis Blues

Today is my "hospital day" (sounds like it should be a national holiday .. Labor Day .. Veterans Day .. Hospital Day) and I am going to Memphis to make my "rounds."

We do have a hospital in Humboldt (less than a half mile from my house) and there are two in Jackson (about 15 miles away). However, a couple of our members didn't check with me before checking in to separate facilities in the greater Memphis area (it's always good to get a second opinion), so .. I'm going to "Willie World."

I moved to Humboldt almost ten years ago from Bartlett (just outside Memphis .. are you happy Tom T?) and this brings back quite a few memories ('hand me all your money or I'll cut you' .. ah .. downtown).

Because there are several hospitals there, "hospital day" was literally a hospital .. day.

Many times I would leave in the wee hours (not to be confused with the wii hours .. we live in a changing culture) of the morning and get home very, very late (they could have put all the hospitals in one central location, but .. NOOOOOO .. why try to make things convenient? .. again, no one checked with me).

If it sounds like I'm bitter, I'm not (not about this particular situation .. other things? .. yes).

Memphis has great places to eat (can you say 'ministry expense?'), an Apple Store (Disneyland for geeks), and MoMs (ministers of music) who are good friends of mine.

Looks like I will be making a day of it!

"And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country .. "

- Luke 15:13

Kev's Klip of the Week

Yesterday, I wished Will and Megan a "Happy Anniversary" (it was their second). Today .. May 27, 2009 .. is special, too.

If you stop by RevKev's on a regular basis (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, the first Friday after the second Tuesday, etc.), how about letting me know.

Some of you post comments from time to time. However, I would really like to get input from more of the "regulars." Any and all suggestions are welcome .. within reason.

Post a comment or send an email. I'd love to hear from you.

"Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not."

- Proverbs 8:33

Will and Megan: In Tall Cotton

I want to wish my son-in-law, Will, and daughter extraordinaire, Megan (Will .. you are wonderful, as well .. but she's daddy's little girl and 'trumps' you in the area of accolades this time around .. come back on your birthday and I'll 'lay it on thick' then) a very happy second anniversary (I hope you read today's post because I didn't send a card or gift .. these are tough economic times, you know).

It's hard to believe it has been two years since Will stole my baby .. I mean married my daughter .. and moved her off to North Carolina where he was accepted to graduate school (just to brag .. he was accepted everywhere he applied .. he's a Brainiac .. that's why we relate so well).

Though there is well over eight hundred miles between us, I assure you "out of sight .. out of mind" does not apply here. I think about you both each and every day.

Traditionally, your second anniversary is "cotton' (twenty fifth, silver .. fiftieth, gold). This may not seem all that exciting, but compared to the one year mark (paper), it is a slight step up (you know, I never received a thank you note for that ream of 20 lb ultra bright white I got you last May).

Since you are coming home for a week or two during the summer, I decided to save the postage (again .. lean times) and give you the anniversary gifts then.

Don't worry. White socks can be worn any time of year.

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."

- Philippians 1:3

We Remember

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy."

- John 16:20

No Post Today .. It's Sunday

"And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." - Exodus 33:14

Graduation Exercises

Our church has been blessed in recent years with a good number of college students who have "plugged in" to FBC Humboldt and made it their home away from home (sort of like what Cheers was to Norm .. without all the beer).

Many of those students will be walking the line (♫ I keep a close watch on this heart of mine ..) tonight at Union University's graduation.

This year's seniors who have been involved at our church are, as Bro. Greg said several weeks ago, "the cream of the cream of the crop." One of them is particularly special to my heart.

Sarah Eastin has been our watchcare (it's like an 'adopt a student' program) daughter the past four years and tonight "my baby girl" will be a college graduate. In October, she is getting married (here we go again .. I don't know if my nerves can stand it!).

Sarah has been a blessing to Cheryl and me and we will miss her (I wonder if watchcare kids ever come back home .. like your real children do from time to time? .. I'd better get the spare room ready .. just in case).

A couple of years ago she told Cheryl she wanted a "little sister" (hey, I offered to help do my part) and we "adopted" another student (Danielle .. yes I said your name .. don't be jealous of big sister .. you are special too). I suppose Sarah knew we would be sad when she left and it was her way of helping us get through the "empty nest syndrome" .. all over again.

Several weeks ago the Tennessee Mens Chorale sang at Union. During the program our director asked if any of the students had a dad in the group. Several stood .. including my "daughter," Sarah.

Once again, one of my kids made me proud.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" - 3 John 1:4

Role Reversal

I went to great lengths (at least a mile or two) in yesterday's post to explain how Cheryl always likes to sleep in and how I get up every day at five o'clock .. usually.

Well, today I didn't roll out of bed until 7:00 AM (don't judge me .. I'm off .. WAY off) and she was well into her morning "I'm getting ready to face the day" ritual (which includes looking in the mirror and repeating, 'You can do this. School is almost out. You can do this. School is almost out. You can ..').

Throughout our marriage we have done things a little differently than many couples.

Cheryl does the finances, a task more often than not, done by the husband. I could. However, early on we decided since I have the tendency to put things off (mom, I promise that Mother's Day card is in the mail), it would be better for her to do it (I'm reasonably sure our house would have been in foreclosure years ago because I forgot send in the monthly payment).

Cheryl does the grilling (I'm talking about burgers, chicken, hotdogs .. not, 'where have you been all night???). Often, because the male likes to play with fire, men like to cook on the barbecue grill. Not me.

Being in the ministry, I don't like to sweat (it just seems too much like you are working). Standing over a hot grill has no appeal to this guy. However, Cheryl stays cold all the time. It's almost like the solution (an Amana 3 burner propane grill) was right there in front of our faces the whole time.

I clean the bathrooms, dust and vacuum the house .. most of the time. Because I am a procrastinator (really mom, any day now .. check the mail box), sometimes Cheryl gets tired of waiting on me and takes matters (toilet brush, cleaning rag, or vacuum cleaner) in to her own hands.

These are just a few examples of how we do things around the Hamilton household. It may not work for everyone. However, it seems to do the trick (pick a card .. any card) for us. Really when it comes down to it, marriage is working as a team and who cares who does what?

Gotta go. I don't want to be late for my pedicure.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28

Sleepless in Humboldt

They say (again, who the heck are they??) you can count on two things (besides your hands and feet) in life: death and taxes.

I have found you can count on at least two more: the Sun rising early in the morning and Cheryl .. not.

Well, I now think the IRS may be disbanding (it's a taxing job), the funeral home business going under, and the song "Here Comes the Sun" will never be heard again.

The past two mornings I have gotten up at 5 o'clock to find Cheryl (or Sleeping Beauty as she is normally known) outside .. watering her flowers .. in the dark.

How strange is that?

I am always the one who "didn't sleep at all last night." So, I have come to the conclusion insomnia is contagious. Who knew?

I feel her pain.

Not being able to sleep is miserable .. on you and everyone who has to come in contact with you that day. I've been there (both as the cranky and one having crankiness thrust upon them) .. it ain't pretty.

Everyone avoids you. No one speaks to you. It's almost like being a first time visitor in a Baptist church.

I don't know what has caused Cheryl's sleeplessness.

Perhaps, she has a lot on her mind with work.

Maybe, she is eating the wrong types of food late at night.

She could be thinking of ways to murder me and make it look like an accident (here we go again .. after 28 years of marriage I'm getting used to that one).

Whatever is going on with her .. I'm not asking.

We don't need another Hiroshima.

"For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall." -Proverbs 4:16

Kev's Klip of the Week

"Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice" - Psalm 32:11a

Ain't We Got Fun

Tonight, the Humboldt Music Club (the oldest organization of its kind in Humboldt .. the median age has to be 85 or so) will meet at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church and the program will feature songs from the "Roaring Twenties" (flapper girls at FBC?? .. shameful!!).

The public is invited.

The HMC has gone through a change this past year (not to be confused with 'gone through THE change' .. though most of our members are women who have given men a pause). The club used to meet monthly and I suppose that worked for the first seventy five or eighty years of its existence. However, attendance had declined in recent days (okay, we were 'dying out' and not recruiting new members .. we, like Dracula, were in need of some fresh blood).

Going to a quarterly meeting has allowed us to focus on quality programs (not that Uncle Joe's Jug Band was not entertaining, mind you) and committing to four meetings a year is more doable than trying to "stir up a crowd" for twelve of them.

One of the criticisms I sometimes get from our older church members (or the 'blue hairs' as I sometimes call them .. behind their backs, of course) is that the music of today is so frivolous and trite. Why can't we do the "good stuff" like we used to sing .. when music had meaning and a "real" message?

Here are a few songs from the twenties:

• "Yes, We Have No Bananas"
• "Barney Google"
• "I'm Just Wild About Animal Crackers"
• "My Cutie's Due at Two to Two"
• "There's a Trick in Pickin' a Chick Chick Chicken"

I can only venture to guess what 'poo poo pee doo' is????

You are so right. Nothing quite speaks to the heart like the "old songs."

"I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God" - Psalm 144:9a

A. Ray of Hope

Yesterday after church (okay, we left before it was completely over .. it felt like we were 'cutting' and .. it was awesome!), Cheryl and I made our way to Millington to participate in a special service honoring Dr. A. Ray Newcomb.

Sunday was "Bro. Ray's" last day as pastor of First Baptist Church. A place he had faithfully served for over 33 years.

All those years in one church. This is hard for me to fathom (like .. if 7-Eleven is open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week .. why do they need a lock on the door??). I could never stay at one church for that length of time (I could .. but they won't let me .. Baptists .. can't live with 'em, can't get paid without their continued financial support).

I served on staff with Bro. Ray from 1984-90 and since he survived that (I moved all the senior adults to another part of the building, knocked down a wall and created a choir suite .. all while he was out for two weeks), it was a sure bet (this is just an expression .. I am not condoning gambling, mind you .. unless it's a 'sure thing' and you tithe on your winnings) he could stay as long as he wanted.

You can't think of Bro. Ray and not think of evangelism. Sam and Dave may have made it famous, but Bro. Ray is the original "Soul Man." I still marvel at his commitment to consistently share the gospel (one on one) and "walk the walk" not just "talk the talk."

Rusty Eason, FBC's Minister of Music, sang "Thank You" during the festivities yesterday and invited those who had come to know Christ under Bro. Ray's ministry to move forward during the chorus. It was quite a sight seeing so many make their way through the crowd and line up across the front (the last time I cried like that was at the end of 'Homeward Bound'). What a blessing!

Bro. Ray, you have been an inspiration to many and "ticked off" a few (you're a pastor .. it's what you guys do). You are one of my heroes in the faith and I count it a privilege to have served along side you for six and a half years.

"Well done" (Bob Sorrell said you were 'rare' .. what does he know .. he also called you Ray Newsome), good and faithful servant.

" .. he that winneth souls is wise" - Proverbs 11:30b

See You On Monday

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day."

- Psalm 25:5

Off to a Slow Start

If you are a regular (I suppose the same is true of a short or long) follower of this blogspot, you have probably noticed the "posted at" times of my daily entries (it's found at the bottom of each rant/rambling).

For the most part, I am an early riser.

Monday through Thursday I set the alarm for 5 o'clock (though I have been known to wake up at all hours of the night and type away whenever that happens). On Friday, my day off .. from church (Cheryl often has a list of 'honey dos' for me) and Saturday, I don't set my clock. I just get up when I wake up (if Cheryl did that, she would never be seen by the outside world .. the woman functions better with 12 to 14 hours of sleep .. mind-boggling!). Sunday is my day of rest (I admit it .. I stole the idea of working six days and resting on the seventh .. I can't quite remember where I got that???).

Because of a rather hectic schedule the past few weeks, I have found it more and more difficult to "kick my bony bottom" (sorry about the salty language) out of bed.

If you are an early morning follower of RevKev's blog (I have them .. my 'page view counter' also records your IP address and tells me what time you logged on .. Big Brother is watching!), you know my posts have been somewhat "tardy" of late.

Today I woke up at six .. then six thirty .. then seven .. then .. I AM starting to function like Cheryl, queen of the snooze button .. who, by the way is still in bed as I write.

Part of my problem has been a lack of something to say (I can almost hear the audible gasps .. as opposed to the inaudible ones, which I can almost NOT hear, I guess .. hmm). Hard to believe, but true.

I am coming up on one year of blogging (at the end of this month) and there's really not much new to say. Unlike LOST, I don't have a master plan and know exactly what will happen next (2010 is the final season and the producers say they already know how the series will end .. I suspect they are scrambling around the studio and screaming a lot at each other as they try to put an end to this albatross .. you know they have to be saying, 'What the heck were we thinking?').

This blog has been renewed for another season .. for now.

However, you might have to check by a little later in the day for updates. Especially, on the weekend.

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog-tired music minister.

"As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed" - Proverbs 26:14

Friday .. Just Another Work Day

Today is Friday (this blog is chock-full of information .. forget your calendar? .. no problem .. RevKev will tell you what day it is). I am usually off on Fridays .. okay, I'm usually off every day (see 'he ain't right' for additional details) .. but, I need to go in to the office to tie up some loose ends (not related to today's photo).

Ministry is like a box of chocolates .. you never know what you're gonna get (much like reading this stuff).

Yesterday started like any other .. sharing, yet another, glimpse into my fascinating life (I wrote about mowing the yard .. riveting). However, it quickly "veered off to the right" (never to the left .. I think Rush is liberal) and took several sharp turns before parking myself in front of the television (an episode of Criminal Minds about anthrax .. I needed something 'lightweight' to help me relax) at 10:15 PM.

My "job" doesn't usually require much physical labor (one of the appealing factors that drew me to ministry .. and the sense of God's calling, of course .. I consider the 'no hard work' part a signing bonus). However, the mental stress and strain can be almost unbearable at times.

I witnessed the passing of one of God's saints at the hospital on Thursday.

John Rosenfelder, a long time choir member at FBC, joined the heavenly choir (evidently there was an opening in the bass section) at 3:52 PM yesterday afternoon.

John had not been able to sing with us the past few years. He was at home taking care of his wife (who is also in the hospital and will be joining him shortly) of well over sixty years (incredible).

He loved singing, but he loved "Miss Fay" even more.

Now, he is patiently waiting at the gate for her arrival to give her a tour of their new home.

I've been told it is VERY nice.

"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared for a bride adorned for her husband." - Revelation 21:2

It's Raining Cats and ...

Well, we had of couple of days free from precipitation here in Humboldt, Tennessee. However, as I sit in front of the computer screen, there is the distinct sound of rain, thunder and wind (I really think that last one was me .. a lactose intolerance issue that rears .. no pun intended .. well, maybe a little .. its ugly head from time to time).

Because of my crazy schedule here of late, I haven't been able to mow the yard for a couple of weeks. Now, it appears that's still not going to happen any time soon.

I have a mulching mower and the grass needs to be dry to keep from getting clogged up (I'm using great restraint right now .. I promise not to make today's post full of bathroom humor).

We have new neighbors behind (not going to do it) us and Cliff has been diligent to keep their yard cut and trimmed ever since mowing season (on 'opening day' the yards were crawling with mowers ready to 'bag' their first grass) started.

I've mowed once so far this year.

Again, I can't help it. Between my hectic lifestyle and a backyard that looks like Lake Erie when it rains ('water/wait' build up), lately .. I just can't cut it.

Since everyone who lives around me seems to take great pride (it goeth before a fall, you know) in their "outside appearance," it can't be long before they join forces and present me with a petition to "clean up or clear out."

So far, I've been able to talk my way out of an eviction.

I simply say I'm letting the grass grow high enough to help "choke out" the weeds.

It's now at two feet and I'm reasonably sure there will be some type of choking involved if I don't take action soon.

Anyone have a cow or goat for rent?

"The hay appeareth and the tender grass showeth itself." - Proverbs 27:25a