Do Not Argue With the Alarm Clock!

Procrastination is an insidious evil. It creeps into our lives and grasps us before we even suspect we are in the wrong. Awareness and a willingness to act ought to become a part of the fiber of our character.

There are times when you should not make quick judgments, when you should be judicious in your actions. But the sooner you act to avoid temptation, the better. Dallying over a decision and rationalizing over a situation puts your final verdict in jeopardy, because the scales tend to tip to the side of the half truths.

When the alarm clock goes off in the morning, don't argue with it, get up. You are the one who made the decision last night what time to arise today.

Make a stand, act decisively. You will begin to like yourself better. Don't put off till later what you can do now. Something important may come up later! And if not you can rest when you are through, without the task still in front of you.

Proverbs 6:9-11 "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So Shall thy poverty come..."

As a Man Thinketh in His Heart...

What a man (or woman) thinks of himself is very important, because it determines his behavior. We all live our lives according to the mental image we have of ourselves. Therefore, it is essential that we have a clear picture of self, with as few distortions as possible.

We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3). But as children of God we must not think too lowly of ourselves either. A positive self image is not just a noisy display of conceit. It is the quiet peace and contentment in realizing your personal significance as a unique creation of God.


It is respect for self, an inner feeling of worth. When you have this awareness, down deep inside, you are glad you are you. You are designed by God for a special relationship with him and with those who come into your life.


Self image is the key to the way you present yourself.


Proverbs 23:7 "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

Reflections on Contentment

Sometime back I read a blog on Happiness and its relationship to money. I would like to affirm the idea that contentment is in reality a state of mind over which individuals should have at least some measure of control. We should determine that we will not let anyone else dictate the way respond to any situation, no matter how distasteful. Like the Apostle Paul, we should strive to be content in whatever state we find ourselves.

That being said, there are some things that I find it much easier to be content in doing! I enjoy being with my family for a meal, especially if afterwards we can play a game together. I like listening to an acapella choral group or a little child's prayer. I love a pitcher's duel, or an overtime basketball game. I like warm weather and warm smiles. I like to pick up pecans in the fall, and I like writing short, reflective articles about things that bring me joy!

I am sure you have some favorite activities as well, how about sharing them? I would enjoy that too.

Philippians 4:11 "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."

Mistaken Identity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A few days ago I received a small package in the mail with a return address to someone that I did not know. When I opened it, it took a few moments for me to realize what was going on. The package included a note, apparently handwritten by young man, three baseball cards in a plastic case and a pen. I recognized the cards, being a collector myself and because, coincidentally, the player and I share the same name.

When I read the letter, I realized that the boy had somehow found my address at the church and had come to the conclusion that the ballplayer had hung up his cleats and become a minister. The boy asked that I sign each of the cards and return them to him in the enclosed self-addressed and stamped envelope. I got a big kick out of the mistake, and so did some of the members here when I showed them the letter and the cards. My grandkids especially had a big laugh. Of course I would not sign the cards, as I am not the ex-ballplayer. At least not the professional ballplayer on the cards.

But I had met the young man on the cards a few years ago, after having seen him play in the Astrodome in Houston. When I showed him my business card he had a laugh. We visited for a few minutes and I told him that I knew there would be some baseball cards coming out in the new year, and I hoped he would be willing to sign some for me. He told me how to get hold of him, and when the cards came out, I sent a few to him, which he returned autographed.

I happened to have an extra one of those still in my collection, so I posted a note back to my young petitioner explaining the situation and included one of my autographed cards, along with his three cards that remained unsigned. I hope he was satisfied, because I really enjoyed that exchange.

Dad's Peach Enchilada Recipe

I do not know where Dad got this recipe, but it produces some really yummy desserts. Let me know when you try it!

2 8 oz tubes of crescent rols
2 sticks of butter
4 firm peaches peeled and quartered (frozen peaches will work)
1 1/4 c sugar (subsitute Splenda if desired)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 12 oz can of Mountain Dew

Melt butter, add sugar & cinnamon
unroll crescents and add peach quarters
Roll from large end to small
Place in 12x10x2" pan
Pour butter mixture over them
Pour Mountain Dew on top
Bake @ 350 for 45 minutes

Eat and enjoy!

Back to the Virtual World!!!!!!!!!

It is time to get back to blogging, isn’t it horrible when real life gets in the way of virtual reality? I had four speaking engagements in different places last week. This week has been spent in celebrating my dad’s 82nd birthday as well as my 61st.

We had a steak at his favorite restaurant, then went back to his place to eat his latest delicacy, peach enchiladas. They are a marvel.

Two days later I took the boys to ride a fast roller coaster at the Kemah Boardwalk, the Bullet. It was fun and my grandsons thought I was cool. They didn’t realize I was just trying to deny my age. Afterwards we went to a Golden Corral for supper.

Evacuate or Else!!!!!

I just heard an announcement that the State of Texas will implement a new law effective September 1. It provides authority to arrest any citizen who refuses a mandatory evactuation notice, such as the ones issued last fall when Hurricane Ike was about to hit our area.

There are always some people who ignore the warnings, at their own peril. There are still some bodies missing from the storm surge Ike brought. The proponents of the law point to the dangers to rescue people in the midst of the storms when the stragglers change their minds. No doubt there is a danger. And perhaps arrest might save lives of those so foolish as to stay in the face of danger.

Still I wonder about such a law. What do you thinK?