I Like the Way You Think

I write, quite a bit, about my wife's love for sleeping in and her "abuse" of the snooze button on our alarm clock. It makes for an entertaining "read," and it's the absolute truth (as opposed to the out and out lies I often tell).

Well, she was up this morning before I got out of bed and she's working out, at this very moment, to an exercise DVD (the song, 'New Attitude' is ringing throughout the house .. Patti LaBelle is one of the most effective alarms I've ever heard .. trumped only, perhaps, by the voice of Gilbert Gottfried).

Cheryl has made a commitment to a "healthier her" (plus she likes to look 'fine' for her man) and getting up and moving (though, against the way she's .. wired) early in the morning is the best way to accomplish this.

When I had my dog, Shadow, I got up very early in the morning (well before daylight) to take him for a walk. Often, it was cold .. bitter cold. Many times, it was raining. A few times, there was snow. This didn't matter. It was part of the commitment of being a pet owner.

Blogging is tough.

When I started doing this back in May (has it really been that long?), little did I know .. let's just leave it at that: little did I know.

When someone writes in a diary, they are the only one who sees it (unless someone else sneaks into their room, slips it out from under the mattress, and reads the entries, before they get home from school.. Donnie Osmond? .. come on, Terri .. he has no substance .. just teeth and hair).

Writing a daily (except for Sundays, now) blog for the whole world (okay, the greater Humboldt area) to see, requires a deep level of commitment (often, I'm told I should have been committed a long time ago).

I don't take this task, lightly.

I know there are those who find this spot a "safe haven." A place where you can escape, if only for a few minutes, the toils and snares of "the daily grind."

I, willingly, accept this responsibility and have committed myself to being "Mr. Funnypants" for you, my loyal (pathetic: really need to get a life) readers.

It's my destiny and I will continue to fulfill it (until, I get bored .. then, you're on your own).

If You Brew It, They Will Come

Southern Baptists came out with a little promotional "catch phrase" several years ago. It was, "Church: The Sunday Night Place to Be." They came up with this motto/slogan/theme because .. church was not the Sunday night place to be (it was a distant fourth .. behind movies. mall and sitting at home in front of the 'hellevision' .. amen? .. amen).

Generally speaking, if you have to point out something with a declarative statement .. it's probably not true.

Pastor, if you instruct the church secretary to answer the office phone with, "Thank you for calling exciting First Baptist Church," you're not fooling anyone. Odds are .. your church is dead as a doornail.

Just because you say it, doesn't make it so.

Sunday nights at FBC Humboldt have been a challenge (I'm sure this is true in many or most of our churches). We put a lot of effort in our Sunday morning services and Sunday nights can be a little "let down" (no choir, fewer attenders, less energy).

Two weeks ago, we started meeting around the tables in our fellowship hall for the PM service. We are calling it "Sunday Evening Blend" (there's a variety of coffee.. served by our college students).

It's casual and .. it's catching on.

There is a wonderful element of fellowship sitting around the tables and I am seeing many faces I have never seen before on Sunday nights.

Coffee and Christians just seem to go hand in hand (sometimes it takes an artificial stimulant to get us going .. yes, coffee does get me 'going' .. I can testify to that). It, also, keeps everyone awake while Greg is speaking.

Coffee. It does the Body good.

I'm Taking Sundays Off

Since Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest (whose crazy idea was that??), I have decided to make RevKev's blog a Monday through Saturday "thang" .. starting today.

I can't do much about my church schedule, but I can do something about the number of updates that appear here.

So .. go watch some quality television (okay, there's no such thing .. just go watch some television).

I'll see you in the morning.

I'm Forever Grateful

I received pies, candy, some country ham, gift cards, etc. (the list goes on) over the holidays and I am, finally, getting around to writing "thank you" notes (I'm blogging about it to 'force' my hand and make me accountable .. I'm such a procrastinator).

I, usually, do this before the first of the year (or .. just after the first of the year .. January 2nd or 3rd). However, with the kids home and the cats hopping from table to table, I had a difficult time staying focused (I have all the symptoms of ADHD .. I'm not on medicine .. I need to be on medicine, I'm pretty sure) enough to write them.

People are always so kind during the Christmas season (it soothes their conscience when they treat me like dirt the rest of the year .. just kidding .. for the most part) and I want them to know how much I appreciate their thoughtfulness.

A little note is the very least I can do.

When I say it's the least I can do .. I mean it (I make my own cards from old 'thank you' notes: you can cut off the old names or just black them out with a pen .. I leave them in a stack in the office .. no stamps to buy .. and I just email everyone and tell them to pick up theirs between the hours of 8:30 and 5:00, Monday through Friday).

I had better get started. Each card is unique ('Dear (fill in name) .. Thanks for the Christmas gift .. Kevin') and this takes longer to write.

Also, I need to finish off a few more "thank yous" from a previous event: My high school graduation.

I told you I was a procrastinator.

It's Friday .. Just the Fact(s), Ma'am

I have the day off from church related duties (the word still cracks me up .. actually, 'cracks' is pretty funny, as well .. my brain is still at a fourth grade level), but there is enough to do around the house to put in a "full" workday (that's four hours, for those of us in ministry .. ministry hours are kind of like 'dog years').

To say that I'm not your typical minister, would be an understatement.

I don't walk around with a pious look on my face (except on 'headache' days). I don't use a lot of "religious language" in my everyday conversations (.. 'sir, do you want fries with that?'.. 'hold on, my child and let me pray about it'). I don't carry a "coffee table sized family Bible" (KJV, of course) under my arm when I go to Walmart.

I'm something of a cross between Hugh Laurie's, Dr. Gregory House and Don Rickles. These guys are my heroes. They say what they think. More importantly, they say what everyone else thinks (granted, those 'duty' and 'crack' thoughts are a little disturbing, even to me).

I just want to be real (or, at least do a good job faking it).

Ministers are, sometimes, put on very high pedestals and this is wrong (I'm afraid of heights). When that happens, someone is going to be disappointed or disillusioned when they fall off (and they will fall off .. some, willingly jump off .. some, willingly jump off and do a fancy somersault before hitting the ground).

I'm just a regular guy (most mornings .. bran muffins help) trying to live out God's calling in my life.

No plastic smile when I'm feeling bad. No "pat answers" when asked the difficult questions.

God has used some really "off the wall" weirdos in His service. This is a great encouragement to me.

Can you pass the locusts and wild honey, please?

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

This morning's blog entry was a bit brief, to say the least, and I promised to write something a little more "substantial" when I got home, tonight.

Well, I'm at home, and .. I've got nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

When I woke up at seven o'clock and realized I had "overslept," panic set it. The little counter at the bottom of my blog site tells me more information than just how many of you stopped by for another exciting look at my life: I drank a cup of coffee .. I ate a bowl of cereal .. I put on some pants (btw, when I do things in this order, I never spill coffee or cereal on my pants .. however, this can cause quite a stir at Cracker Barrel).

Back to the "hit counter."

It's free and links to a website where I can tell the IP address of your computer and what operating system you use. I can, also, tell what city you are in and what time you read my blog (just call me 'Big Brother').

Interesting enough, several of you stop by RevKev's blog very early in the morning and when (on occasion) I decide to "roll over and play dead" when the alarm goes off, you are deprived (or is that depraved?) of starting your day with a smile, chuckle or laugh.

I just hope you aren't replacing "Our Daily Bread" with "My Daily Blog." If that is the case, I need to pray for your spiritual well being.

A merry heart (isn't she on Entertainment Tonight?) does do good, like medicine (take two jokes and call me in the morning). However, it is the Great Physician Who has the power to heal the "sin sick" soul.

I'm supplemental reading.

Experiencing Some Technical Difficulties

They have been waxing the gym floor (wax on .. wax off) at church this week and I went to bed, last night, with a horrible headache (Cheryl says she goes to bed every night with a horrible pain .. however, it's much lower and toward her back side).

Fortunately, I'm feeling a little better (there's still this 'dull thud' .. again, Cheryl says she lives with one, daily .. she really needs a good check-up). Unfortunately, I overslept (all the way to seven o'clock! .. how often does that happen?) and running too late (baby, now it's too late) to spend much time, here.

I have a meeting, first thing this morning, hospitals to visit, an order of service to complete, and a monthly YY (senior adult) meeting to attend, tonight. Add the normal, everyday "surprises" that take place and you end up with a busy day (no fair .. ministers are only supposed to work on Wednesdays and Sundays!).

When I get home, tonight, I'll try to write a few more words of wisdom.

Okay, make that just .. a few more words.