1st day of school

stewart -- 2nd grade
ashley -- 8th grade (first row, in front of teacher)
autumn -- 5th grade

making Him proud

Do you ever get the idea that maybe God frowns upon technological advances? You know, like He's upset that man is edging toward greater abilities?

Maybe because of the Tower of Babel story where God scattered the peoples of the earth because they tried to assault the regions of heaven. The key factor in that story is the arrogance that preceded their building. They were going to take their greatness to the very height of authority. God said no -- His domain is not up for contest.

Good lesson for everybody.

Now, take another approach. Maybe God smiles, yes, actually smiles on inventors and scientists. Maybe like I do when my little boy gets a hard word right on the first try or when my daughter writes a beautiful poem. Maybe He had a sort-of divine "all right!" feeling when Thomas Edison switched on the lights for the world or when Alexander Graham Bell figured out how to transmit sound over wires. Don't you think He was happy when vaccines were discovered and when doctors were able to perform surgery on the tiny chambers of the heart of a precious unborn child? Maybe He was excited when man finally learned enough to land on the moon and when the technology of the Internet was developed.

Maybe He says "You're getting it, I knew you could." One thing I know for sure, He is never threatened by our advances. He doesn't fear our abilities or our gifts. He GAVE them after all. What parent is disappointed when his child uses his talents and achieves great things? Not many I know.

I think the Father longs to be proud of us. He wants to show off to Satan the excellence in His children, despite the corruption of a fallen world. That's why our hearts are so important. It's the attitude that makes the difference.

Go out and do something great today and make your Father proud.

winning the gold

The phenomenon of swimmer Michael Phelps has added dazzle to the Beijing Olympics. This young man has captured the admiration of the world with his physical prowess and his good-natured attitude. Winning 8 gold medals and holding the record for the most gold medals in history has added a touch of the surreal to his image. Now everyone wants to be close to the winner -- the advertisers, his hometown, the press, etc.

That's exactly the way it was in ancient times. The winner at the games was declared divine; the people sometimes prayed to him. When the emperor placed the laurel wreath on his head, it signified the ultimate accomplishment.

Everyone loves a winner. It touches something deep inside us to watch someone achieve a great victory. We want to glory in it, enjoy the thrill by proxy, absorb the glow emanating from the hero.

The apostle Paul used the games to illustrate the race of the Christian life. He refers to the crown which the Lord will give to all those who love His appearing. Winning in that game has eternal rewards.

Having gold placed around your neck and watching the Stars and Stripes being raised must be a moment that defies words. Having gold placed on your head and hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant" will be a moment that defines true glory.

Winners are meant for gold -- both now and hereafter.

meant to be "lite"

OK, the previous post was meant to be "lite" stuff! I think either you guys are feeling sorry for me 'cause you think I'm "downing" myself or you're a little too squeamish to admit you and your husband have some differences too! (thanks, Beth, for commenting!)

Relax, girlfriends, everything's cool. You hear me? Just a little fun since I usually lean toward the philosophical stuff.............

the sheriff and I

My husband and I are like Andy and Barney. Not in looks! In the way we approach life.

Like Andy, the calm and unruffled sheriff, my husband faces life with a can-do, no-worries attitude and loves a bit of good sarcasm.

Like Barney, the sentimental and high-strung deputy, I am apt to make a big deal out of things which seem earth-shattering to me and have a tendency to stubbornness.

True to the story line, he helps me remember that the sky really isn't falling although I usually resent his matter-of-fact comments which Barney would term "purposely obtuse."

My sense of humor usually rates about as high as Barney's does with Andy, though, in real life, I am sadly lacking next to the great Don Knotts. There are other notable differences -- I do not have the ability to "eat and eat and eat and never gain weight." I am not "wiry like us Fifes." (but my memory and pronunciation are far better than his!) And my detail-oriented husband wouldn't be caught dead in shiny black boots which are perpetually unzipped. He doesn't play the guitar, but he can do a mean fiddle tune!

Also, we don't have Aunt Bea to fix the food and can the pickles (though I wish we did sometimes!)

Of course, the biggest difference is that we're not only friends, we're partners in a marriage that has been going strong for almost 19 years. And because we're human, sometimes we irritate each other; sometimes we laugh together. But, we're friends for life. We always come through for the other in a pinch. And though our differences make days in the sheriff's office interesting, we know that we wouldn't want to tackle the job without the other.

"You beat everything, you know that, Barn?"

I love ya, Honey.......