Garner's Gazette

Things are a changing

2011-05-03T13:05:00.002-04:00

Wow I have not posted anything on my blog for 10 months. Guess Facebook has taken the place on lots of blogs in the past few years. Of course if you are friends of either me or Benita you know we are very proud of our grandson Levi. What a wonderful addition he has been to our family and we are grateful to God for him.
Seems like Benita has been in Florida more the last ten months than she has been in Michigan. She is leaving in the morning for another week and a half trip for Mother's day and to attend Levi's baby dedication at Calvary Baptist Church. We both plan on going down in late June for his first birthday. That year went by fast.
Benita and I will be closing on a single wide mobile home (I was told I can't call it a trailer) in June. It is in a fifty-five and older community just a half mile from Jared, Melisa, and the little guy. We are looking to divide our time between there and Michigan starting this year when I retire from Boilermaking. We have never had a desire to live in Florida , but as many of you have told us , "wait till you have grandchildren". Well you were right. Levi is like a super powerful 10 month old magnate drawing us down there. ha. Benita will be watching Levi most of next school year so Melisa can go back to teaching full time at the end of the summer. Of course we will be spending the winter months down there and the summer months up here.I will post some recent family pictures of us on here and some pictures of the trailer , I mean mobile home. Good bye for now and I will try to post on here a little more frequently. HA

baby levi is coming to michigan

2010-11-18T17:11:00.002-05:00

Well now that Levi is four months old he is ready to travel to Michigan for the first time. He will be bringing his parents with him I might add. ha Benita and I have been able to make it down to Florida to see him several times over these past few months, but we are anxiously awaiting his arrival so our family and friends here can meet him for the first time.
Yes being a grandparent is all that I have heard about it over the years. He is a good baby (even though we know he has a sin nature just like all of us) and Jared and Melisa have enjoyed the new addition to their family immensely.We are so thankful for this blessing and will spend his first Thanksgiving together with Jared and Melisa. We plan on taking him to his first football game on Thanksgiving day. Yes I know he won't remember it but we will take pictures he can see later. Good thing is he will not be upset when the Lions lose again that day. No promises for his dad and Grandpa.ha

Baby Levi has arrived!

2010-06-28T16:17:00.002-04:00

Levi was born yesterday after a 16 hour wait at the hospital. Baby, Mother , and Father are all tired but doing well. Well guess Levi is not tired he probably slept through most of it.ha. I will post a few pictures for those of you who do not do facebook. Benita and I and thankful for the gift that the Lord has bestowed on our family!

Happy New Decade!

2010-01-08T21:40:00.005-05:00

Well we start not only a new year but a new decade in 2010. Past decade beginnings have been more dramatic than this one it seems to me. I remember the 70's, 80's, 90, and especially when in 2000 we not only started a new decade but a new century. But for some reason 2010 does not seem that much different than 2009.

Now on another note I notice that my last posting in November did not happen. It now looks like I will continue to work at the marathon project for a while longer. That will be a challenge for me as the cold weather has come upon us here in michigan with a vengence. One think that may be a help though is we will start working 5 eight hours days instead of 4 ten hours days. I am thankful for my job and the opportunities it brings to not only provide for our physical needs but give me opportunities to interact with people that I can hopefully influence in a positive way for Christ. I thank God for the great priviledge it is to be His child and for all the benefits of that relationship.

Happy New Decade!!

this is he most exercise we had while on vacation

2010-01-04T10:58:00.003-05:00

Gentle reminder

2009-11-24T19:38:00.002-05:00

James 4:13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

I had a gentle reminder of this portion of scripture today at work. I was thinking the job I was on may last a long time but found out differently today. Our company will be letting us boilermakers go sometime around the 1st of the year and bring in another boilermaker company to finish the job. The sad part our company has been very pleased with the job we have done the last 10 weeks but we will suffer because the other crafts on the job have not been productive enough. There is a chance we will be able to switch over to the new company but we will have to wait and see who that is first. A gentle reminder that we don't even know what will happen tomorrow much less weeks from now. I am glad my security is not in a company or a job. My security is in the Lord of this universe who is on the throne and in control of all aspects of my life.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-23T20:31:00.003-05:00

Was telling a friend at work today about blogging and was reminded that I have neglected my own blog now for several months. I have been busy working these last 10 weeks and am thankful for my job. I have enjoyed getting to know the guys on my job and we have a good time together while getting our jobs done.
Thursday Benita and I will leave for Illinois to spend Thanksgiving (AKA My 56th birthday) with her family. I will play in a 2 day scrabble tournament while I am there and come back on Sunday. She will spend the time with her Dad and Sisters and come back on Tuesday. That reminds me I need to finish up here and buy her a plane ticket for her return trip. Lord Bless

No Posts for 5 months

2009-09-19T15:14:00.002-04:00

Yes I have not posted on here for a long time. Guess it is about time to write something.
Work has been very slow and I have not worked much all summer. I did get called for a job here locally but worked only a few days before we were told the outage was going to be pushed back for a week and a half. Out of the twenty or so guys out there only seven were chosen to work until the three week outage would start. They told us we could wait for the job to start or take a layoff. I was one of the few who took the layoff. I knew I was high on the out of work list so I figured I could get called back if nothing else popped up. Well after being offered a job up at st clair I got a call to go to Marathon Oil (about 6 miles from my house)for a job that had been delayed for months. I was one of six that were called and will be working 4-10's for what may be a long time. I have always perferred 40 hour jobs over overtime jobs so this job is an unexpected blessing. Looking forward to entering my new mission field on Monday. I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Golf

2009-04-13T10:47:00.002-04:00

As I posted in the past I am taking up the game of golf again. I am (not so patiently) waiting for the weather to get a little warmer and the ground get a little dryer before I start playing. I am also looking into playing in a church league that meets on Mondays nights for nine hole matches. I am really excited about our church golf outing on July 11. Jared and Melisa will be coming up to join us and my dad and brother will be playing too. We will be playing in the challenge cup - a Ryder cup format. It should be a great time and a great opportunity to get new folks out to a church event. If you are interested in seeing what it is all about you can go to go4thecup.com .If your business or church would like to use this format you can contact David Johns at that web site and get more info. FORE!!

Easter Memories

2009-04-11T11:34:00.002-04:00

Easter was a big deal to our family when I was a kid. I remember especially getting some new clothes to wear to the special Easter Service we would have at church. This was a big deal because we did not have a lot of money, as my Mom was raising my sister and me basically by her self, so new clothes were not something we got often. When I look back at some of the old pictures they brings back fond memories. Now I am not going out and buying any new clothes for tomorrow but I look forward to dressing up a little more than I usually do on a Sunday and enjoying the day set aside to celebrate the greatest event in the history of the world... the resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Good Friday

2009-04-10T16:26:00.003-04:00

Today was an unusual good Friday for me as I did not have to work. Our church does not have a good Friday service so I thought I would attend one at a church in the area that I have never been to before. I like to do this every once in a while as it reminds me what it is like for the people who walk into one of our church meetings for the first time. The service I went to today was a reminder of how thankful I am for our church which has been labeled by us as a guest sensitive church. What does that mean? That means we are expecting to have guests every time we open our doors (although it does not happen every time) and that some of these guests may have never walked into a church before. Because of that we want to give each person a warm welcome and let them know we are gald they have chosen to visit with us on that day. The church I visited today, based on my one and only visit, is not guest sensitive.
The service started out with two men taking turns reading the scripture about the death of Jesus Christ. After this was over they played a short video of the portrayal of the death of Jesus Christ with more scriptures shown on the screen. After this was over one of the men told about how now they were going to do something that had become a tradition over the years at their church. That was OK, but then when he said they were going to dismiss a few people at a time to go out into the hall then into another room I have to admit I starting feeling a little uncomfortable. At this point 4 of the 30 or so people that were there got up exited out the back. I could tell they were uncomfortable about this too. I thought about leaving but I was curious about what was going on. Well after about 10 minutes of waiting my turn to go, of course I was being a good Baptist and sitting in the back,I was told I could proceed to the door out the side of the church and into the hallway. Now I was a little concerned because when these people left nobody came back into the service so I assumed the service was over after this tradition was completed. I walked out into the hallway and there were several people in line waiting to go into another room. The man at the door then explained what was happening. He was going to give us a small nail with a piece of paper taped to it. Then he told us that when we went into the room we could write our name onto the piece of paper and then use one of the hammers there to drive the nail into the wooden cross. This we were told would represent how our sins were nailed to the cross when Christ died upon it some 2000 years ago. Well I put my first name of the paper and did what they told us to do, walked out the door and got into my car. As I was sitting in my car an older man nodded his head toward me to acknowledge me as a guest to their service. Sorry to say that was the only greeting I received the whole time there so then I nodded back to him started my car and drove away.
And churches wonder why people do not return to their church once they visit? I hate to make a judgement on only one visit to a church but it reminds me of the old saying... "You only have one time to make a good first impression" and this church fell very short of doing that for me. I am looking forward to our church service on Easter and I will do my best to make any new folks we might have there on Easter Sunday as welcome as I possibly can. And what is so exciting to think about is there will be many other people like me doing the same thing. Also I am comforted to know that our Pastor will make a clear presentation of the great Gospel Message that this lost and dying world needs to so dearly hear and respond to in saving faith. I hope you go to church on Sunday, and that the church you attend does the same as ours will do.

CHRIST has risen... CHRIST has risen indeed!!

He is the One who has saved us and forgave us

2009-04-10T00:18:00.002-04:00

I listened to a local Christian Radio for several weeks while driving each morning to work. During that time I heard a very simple song that has kind of stuck in my mind. Today for some reason I kept singing it over and over again to myself. So tonight I looked it up on YOUTUBE and thought I would post it here. This is not the type of song we would do at our church but nevertheless it is a good reminder to me of what our great God has done for us, and is doing for us, and will do for us some day. He is the one and only REMEDEY every person in this world needs! Hope the song blesses you as it has me these last few weeks. Lord Bless.

Remedy

2009-04-10T00:17:00.000-04:00

TRUST ME!

2009-03-22T19:55:00.003-04:00

I had an unusual experience at work last week. While I was working my mind was wandering in several different directions. Now that is not unusual. The theme of all the wanderings were not unusual either, the recent changes in our economy and how these were going to affect me and my family. Now in the past I have not been one to spend much time worrying about the future, but I have never experienced a time like we live in now. Some of my thoughts revolved around the dire picture of my Boilermaker work projections for the upcoming year. My plan is to work another 3 years and retire when I am 58. But if there is not any work my mind started thinking about my options and the possibility of maybe retiring now and look for work in another field. Then I heard two words in my mind that kept repeating themselves over and over. The words were TRUST ME, TRUST ME, TRUST ME. Now I have never heard God speak in an audible voice and this was not what happened here as I think back on it. I do think though that God was comuticating to me in my Spirit in a way to encourage me to do what I have done in the past and need to continue to do. That being to Trust Him in every phase of my life. I am God's and He has saved me from the wrath of hell and has promised me a home in heaven some day. But I also need to trust Him in my everyday living more than my back account or lack of it, more than my job or lack of it, or anything else I would tend to put my trust in over Almighty God. I do not know what tomorrow holds but I do know who holds tomorrow, and I am confident He will take care of me and my family today, tomorrow, next week , next year and throughout all eternity. I just need to TRUST HIM!!

This is crazy!!

2009-03-09T22:30:00.000-04:00

I did not know this!

2009-03-08T22:12:00.000-04:00

Speeches like last night disturb me

2009-02-25T12:30:00.002-05:00

I watched the speech last night that President Obama gave in front of our leading government officials and to the entire nation and was not comforted by it one bit. I really disdain these types of speeches even when the giver of the speech is a conservative like myself. Now don't misunderstand what I am about to say. I am thankful I was born in American and am still proud when I stand to honor our country every time our national anthem is sung. But speeches like last night in that type of forum reminds me how arrogant and prideful we often are as a country. It also reminds me how hypocritical we are as we hide the real truths about ourselves and replace them with false deceptive ideas.
I believe one of the things that has made our country great in the past is the theological believes that our nation was founded upon. But today many have traded their trust in a living and Almighty God to a government that cannot deliver what they promise. Even the conservative response to the president's speech last night stated that we should not put our faith in the government, then when on to say we need to put our faith in the people of the United States. Neither of these two groups can deliver what we need.
What do we need? We do not need what we deserve, because with all the greed, corruption, and ungodliness in our nation, what we deserve is judgement. And judgement may be what God is bringing to our nation in the way of this so called economic downturn. I heard a preacher say once that "If God does not judge America for her sins as a nation then He will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah for how He judged them." No we do not need to ask God for justice we need to ask Him for mercy and grace. We need to humble ourselves as individuals and as a nation and ask God to reveal our sins to us then repent and seek forgiveness from Him. The Bible says "God resisted the proud but giveth grace to the humble." God also says in His word that "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves,and pray and seek My face , and turn from their wicked ways , then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land"
It saddens me how so many people want to do everything they can to take God out of every area of our nation yet our leaders have the gall to state at the end of every important speech "May God Bless America!" What hypocrisy !!
I believe in a Sovereign God who is in complete control of everything that goes on in our nation and the world. Today I am even more confident in Him as I see the very things that the Word of God has predicted about the last days come to past. We have major problems in our nation and world that will not be solved until God sets up His own kingdom on this earth. I am going to continue to trust Him as He is the only one powerful enough to solve all these problems. I hope that is who your faith is in as well. Lord Bless!

Day Nine

2009-02-24T18:28:00.002-05:00

Today is day nine of my diet. I have gone low carb no sugar with out much problem.until today. No I did not blow it yet! It is just that today is the first day where I have been craving some of my favorite junk food snacks or an order of fries with a dollar sweet tea to wash them down. I have just got through eating a great salad Benita made and I am feeling satisfied right now. This diet came about after our trip to Florida. No we did not really over do it there just finally realized how miserable I felt carrying around the extra weight I have put on recently. Also pictures like the one I posted at the right was a motivating factor to get back where I was a few short years ago. One other factor is my impending return to work next week. I will be working a lot of overtime and driving another 3 hours a day and I realized I needed to be in better shape to complete the 8 week job I will be on. So day nine is about over and I hopee day 10 goes back to how the first 8 went. We will see.

No NOT ANOTHER SNOW STORM!

2009-02-20T23:38:00.002-05:00

The forecast for here tomorrow is snow in the morning .. snowing all day ...with 3 to 6 inches expected! I have heard many Michiganders say this is the worst winter they can remember and I tend to agree with them. So much for Al Gore' Global Warming THEORY! The other thing that has made this winter so bad is the flu that is ravishing the members of our church. So many of our church members have had it and sometimes they have had it more than once. March is only a week away and that is a welcome thought. Although we still get some snow during that month at least we know that it is all coming to an end soon. LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW!!!!

Florida and Fireproof

2009-02-07T09:23:00.003-05:00

We are in day 5 of our stay in Florida and still looking for that warm up we know is coming. Hopefully today will be the first day we can get rid of our sweatshirts. The cool weather of course does not bother us much as we are not beach people and we are really down here to see our family more than trying to escape from the frozen tundra in Michigan. We are glad to hear that it is warming up at home today to a balmy 48 degrees or so. We of course would not be disappointed if all the snow is melted by the time we come home on Friday.
Last night we all watched the movie Fireproof that Benita bought before we left. We enjoyed the spiritual emphasis to the movie and would recommend it to others to watch. Here is a link if you would like to learn more about it.

http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2154&s_kwcid=fireproof%20movie|2419054046&gclid=CIjF1cPAypgCFQZeswod4Vws1g

Shutting Detroit Down

2009-01-29T10:17:00.002-05:00

Coming out of Retirement

2009-01-27T15:28:00.003-05:00

I have decided to come out of my voluntary retirement from the game of golf. I used to play a lot of golf and enjoyed it, even though I have never been very good at it. I played several years about every weekend with the same three people, My Step Dad Ed, my Uncle Jim and a friend from work, Don. I not only enjoyed the game, but the friendly rivalry we all had with each other. We all were competitive but not to the place where winning or losing was the most important thing. I always enjoyed seeing my opponents make good shots even if it meant me losing a game or two and they did too.
A few years ago Uncle Jim moved to Florida and our weekly games ended At that point I had already started losing some interest in the game as my new passion, competitive scrabble, took up most of my spare weekend time. Now I am not coming out of retirement because I am giving up scrabble! As a matter of fact, I still enjoy playing in scrabble tournaments. You might be surprised to learn why I am going to start playing golf again. It is the result of a book my Pastor gave me to read over the holidays. Now he not only gave this book to me but gave a copy to our entire leadership team. The book is Humility True Greatness by C.J. Mahananey. It is a small little book that I read through rather quickly, but a book I plan on reading many more times in the days to come. Now you ask, "What does this book and golf have in common?" I am glad you asked. Toward the end of this very practical book the author suggests a good way to help lessen pride in our lives and to encourage us to practice humility. Yes, you guessed it... play golf. If you have ever played the game you well know it is one of, if not the most humbling game a person can ever play. Looking back on my retirement from golf I realize now part of the reason I quite playing was... yes you guessed it again, my pride. So I am going to get back one of my two sets of clubs I let my brother and son use, clean them up and get ready to get humbled. I will let you know how it goes. FORE!

My God is Mighty to Save!

2008-11-21T11:04:00.000-05:00

Do Not Worry About Tomorrow- Matt 6:34

2008-11-21T10:42:00.002-05:00

Matthew 6:25-34 is a portion of scripture I have read many times over my lifetime. As I read it again this morning oh how I needed to be reminded of it. The future in our country seems to be the darkest of any time in which I have lived. We are constantly being bombarded with negative news not only from our State , but our Nation and the world in which we live in. I have to admit I have thought about my economic future more in this last few months than I have in the last several years combined. I have to admit also that at times I have caught myself sinning as I have dwelt on some of these possible scenarios. That is why I guess I need to read this portion of scripture at least once a day. It reminds me that I am not to worry about my future because when I do I am not trusting the very God who has promised to take care of me. How foolish of me to think I can trust God with my eternal destiny but think he can not provide for my needs during a downturn in the economy. As a matter of fact I need to concentrate on the positive spiritual effects this downturn could bring not only in my life but in the lives of many who may now turn to Christ and His Church for help in a time of need. I have heard it said that a revival of God's people has never taken place in a nation during times of prosperity. We can look back at our nation during the Great Depression of the 1920's and realize that was the last great awakening in the last 100 years here. 2009 may be a very difficult year for many in our nation ,but it may be a time like you and I have never seen in our lifetimes, of seeing our mighty God work in a way only He can. Because of that I am optimistic as I look to the future and can't wait to see what our great God is going to do through and in me, and His Church!

How long do we have?

2008-11-18T13:53:00.003-05:00

I received a forward this week and found it very interesting so I thought I would post part of it and see what you think about it.

How Long Do We Have?

About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:

'A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.'

'A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.'

'>From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.'

'The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years'

'During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. From bondage to spiritual faith;

2. From spiritual faith to great courage;

3. From courage to liberty;

4. From liberty to abundance;

5. From abundance to complacency;

6. From complacency to apathy;

7. From apathy to dependence;

8. From dependence back into bondage'

Could the United Staes be toward the end of this cycle?

Monthly blog report

2008-10-27T14:26:00.002-04:00

Yes it has been over a month since I have posted anything on here. In my last blog I told you I was back to work and I am still working up toward Port Huron. It has been a difficult time as my body continues to remind me that I am closer to 55 now than I am 25. I have been sick for over a week and did not go to work today to try and get over whatever it is I have had. I feel like I am close to getting back to normal, whatever that is. ha
I only have a few more weeks left on this job and I hope I can endure until the end. I am thankful to have a job during this time when so many people have lost their jobs or can not find work. Living in Michigan during this economic downturn can bring a person down with it if you allow it to. So much negativity throughout the media does not help. I find myself turning off the news station on my radio on the way to and from work each day and listening to my New Testament tapes or good Bible preaching and teaching on the one station we have that carries them.
I am so thankful for all the blessings God has given me during this point of my life. I am thankful for a great group of people at our church that care for one another. I am thankful for a wonderful wife who shows her love for me in so many ways. I am thankful for a son and daughter-in-law who keep in touch with us even though we are separated by many miles. (Yes cell phones and the internet are a great help in this.)I am thankful for a purpose to live here in this sinful world that has so many problems. I have to admit I do get sidetracked from this purpose (to honor and glorify God with everything I have or do) at times but am grateful that God is patient with me and still uses me for His honor and glory in many different ways.
Please pray for my Aunt Mickey as she is dealing with a very difficult health issue at this time. Also pray for my and Benita's family members many who do not know Jesus Christ yet as their Lord and Savior. Hopefully it will be sooner than a month before I post again. Lord Bless!

Back to Work!

2008-09-16T13:18:00.002-04:00

Well my loooong summer vacation is finally over. I go back to work starting tomorow. I was hoping to get a job closer to home but felt I better take this one up toward Port Huron. I will be working 6 days a week 10 hours a day and it should be good for 6 weeks or so. With the drive time I will be leaving the house at 5:45 in the morning and getting back home around 7:30 in the evening. Guess the overtime will help pay for the gas to get back and forth each day.ha
I am not complaining just stating the facts. I am thankful for my job and that it pays me more than I am worth. It puts food on our table, allows us to pay the bills and helps support our church and others that are in need.I think that makes me a very rich man.
While I was getting a hair cut today I overheard a lady across the room say "I am sure glad I am poor, because I do not have any money in the stock market so I did not lose anything yesterday when it dropped some 500 points". Well, I do have some small investments in the stock market but that does not make me rich. What makes me rich though is all that I have been given in this life and the life to come by my great God. Praise to Him from whom all blessings flow!

Songs from my Past

2008-09-06T23:53:00.002-04:00

My Pastor loves to quote old songs from the past during his sermons or during his teaching times. I remember times he has quoted songs like "Lord I'm a Rambling Man" by the Almond Brothers (or was it the doobie brothers?), "You are so Vain" by Carly Simon and even the Rolling Stones song, " I can't get no Satisfaction" (LOVE THE DOUBLE NEGATIVE!). I am always amused how people respond to him when he does this. Sad thing is there has not been a song yet like these that was new to me. A matter of fact I tell him often when a song is mentioned I keep singing it in my mind long after he has made his point with the lyrics of it. I know this is not a good thing!To me this illustrates what a powerful medium music can be.

Today at Men's Leadership meeting Pastor Ken used a song that came out in the late 70's by a Christian singer by the name of Dallas Holm. He quoted one of his songs to illustrate a wrong concept of salvation and heaven. As soon as he started quoting it (not singing it) the tune imediatly came to my mind and the song started playing in my head automaticly, even though I can not remember hearing the song for over 25 years. I could even heard another version of the song I believe B.J. Thomas recorded.
Well tonight I looked for the song on Youtube but could not find it. I was going to email it to Pastor as a joke. But while looking for it I ran into some other songs by Dallas Holm during this same period of time. So I posted the one that I used to listen to over and over again while driving around in my triple black cutlass Supreme. I still think this song packs a powerful message about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, even though His name is never mentioned in the song. Hopefully this song will be in my mind tonight as I go to sleep instead of the other one! Good Night and Lord Bless.

Rise Again - Dallas Holm

2008-09-06T23:18:00.000-04:00

Steven Curtis Chapman - Cinderella

2008-08-28T13:28:00.000-04:00

Steven Curtis Chapman Interview

2008-08-27T22:51:00.002-04:00

This morning on the way to work I listened to a powerful interview on Focus on the Family. It was the third of a three part interview centered around the death of the Chapman's young adopted daughter. I am not a big fan of very many of the contempary music writers and singers, but I have always had a lot of respect for SCC. After listening this morning I have a lot more respect for him. The three programs were called "The God of All Comfort" which is the title of a sermon I have preached many times myself. If you would like to listen to this interview here is the link. Th esong that he sings at the end is very moving.Let me know what you think.

http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001490.cfm

Being in the Right Place at the Right Time!

2008-08-25T20:42:00.003-04:00

Today was an interesting Day. Started out when I went to the school we met at last year and picked up 3 signs for someone to change for our upcoming Kids 4 Truth Wed. night program. While I was there the secretary game me a soft sided briefcase someone had left at the school a few months ago. It was mine and thought I would never see it again. Left there with the signs and told the person who needed them I would drop them off at his place of work in an hour and a half which just so happens to be right next to my hiring hall. Kill two birds with one stone I figured. With time to spare thought I would drop by our current school we are meeting at to try and see if I could talk to someone about rectifying a major storage problem we have there. Pastor decided to meet me there are we talk to just the right person at the right time and solved our problem quite easily. Thank you Lord and Mrs. Principle of the school.
This takes a little longer than I planned so I start over to Dearborn with the signs about an hour later than I had planned.Drop the signs off and stop in at the hall and find out it may be another month before I will be sent out on a job. After being there about 5 minutes the phone rings and a short job needs 6 guys starting in the morning. My business agent asks me if I want to go out there in the morning and I say sure. I don't know how many hours I will be working , or how many days it will be good for ,or if I am going to be the Stewart or the Foreman, but I do know it is close to home! Some days it just seems you are in the right place at the right time!

Olympic updates

2008-08-22T10:29:00.003-04:00

As I sit here watching the "Redeem Team" play (blowout 24-4!) Argentina, I am thankful the Olympics are only every four years. I am also glad that the Olympic year always falls on the same time as our Presidential races are heating up and that they are only every fours years too. (That's a subject for another time.)
I was up late last night watching both Men's Beach Volleyball (gold medal) and men's regular Volleyball (won Semi- final).I finally went to bed at about 2 o'clock.
The best thing I saw last night though was a report on girls gymnastics. It seems that the use of the underage girls by China may cost them some medals. I think this story is even sadder than some of the drug discoveries that always seem to come to light during the games. This is worse to me because a whole government is involved in the "AGEGATE" cover-up while the drug ones seem to be the wrong decisions of individual athletics. I hope the USA and other countries will continue to stay on this issue until the truth is brought out and China is stripped of all medals they have won by blatantly cheating. I will not be surprised though if China gets away with it!!

Olympic Overload

2008-08-20T13:56:00.002-04:00

I guess one of the things that makes the Olympics special is that they only take place every four years. After not planning on watching much of them, I have spent much time watching them over the last week and a half.Because of that I am glad they only take place every four years. I am currently in between jobs as a Boilermaker so I have some extra time on my hands. With the 12 hours difference in time between China and here there is an abundance of live events that are available to watch on TV. So far I have watched almost all the "Redeem Team" basketball games that come on in the morning hours. I predict a gold for these NBA players. I know I am really going out on a limb here.ha
I have also watched a lot of Women's Gymnastics, (hate that these are decided by bad human judges) and Men's baseball. Don't know why I have watched so much baseball as our team is made up of a bunch of minor league players.They kind of remind me of the Tigers with a better Bull Pen!
I have watched a lot of volleyball, but my favorite match was today's Men's 5 set match that ended in a win for them.
I have watched very little track and field with the 100 meter being the exception. Lighting Bolt could have lowered the world record even more if he would not of let up. I will go out on a limb again and predict he will win the gold in the 200 also.
Finally the most intriguing events were all the swimming matches that Michael Phelps was involved in. Eight gold records and eight world records (thanks in part to the new high tech swimming suits) is unbelievable. Enjoyed watching his mom too, even though she reminded me of RAYMOND'S mother on his TV show.
So far my favorite moment was Phelps seventh Gold medal win. It looked like he had lost but caught his rival right at the end by 1 /100th of a second. I still do not believe what the pictures show. It looked like the silver medalist just stopped cold as he reached for the wall.
I think I just heard that the USA Basketball team gold medal game will take place at 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Oh Well, I guess I may have to stay up to watch that one! GO USA!!!

Forida Trip

2008-07-31T09:06:00.003-04:00

Ten thoughts about our Florida trip. We will be here 3 more days before we fly back to beautiful Michigan.

1.Florida is a nice place to visit but I am glad I do not live here.
2.Scrabble is a crazy game and I still can't believe I lost so many games in the tournament.
3.It has rained almost everyday since we have been down here. Glad we do not come down for the beaches and the sun or we would be very disappointed.
4.Sorry we missed being in Michigan for the birth of a new nephew, Mason James Kowalski. He and family are doing well I am told.
5.Glad to visit the Tigers spring training facility in Lakeland for the first time and watch a few innings of the Flying Tigers class A game.
6. Looking forward to seeing the Tigers play the Rays on Friday night.
7. Glad to get to see Uncle Jim this week and see him enjoying his retirement down here.
8. Glad Benita , Jared, and Melisa got to see some manatees this week at the dock in safety harbor.
9. Glad to get to spend time with our kids in their nicely decorated home.
10. Glad we did not go with Jared and his friends to see Chris Angel escape an imploding building. (Jared did not get home until 2 o'clock because of all the people and traffic at Clearwater Beach)
10b.Glad to hear we had 223 people at church on the Sunday we were absent from CBC!

Off to Florida

2008-07-22T23:27:00.002-04:00

Thursday Benita and I will be flying down to Florida for 9 days. Half of our time there we will be in Orlanda as I play in my 4th National Scrabble Association Tournament. While I am doing that Benita , Jared and Melisa will be doing what people usually do in Orlando. They already have plans to visit Sea World. When we get back to Clearwater we have plans to go see the Tampa Rays play on Friday. What makes this special is the team they will be playing is our beloved Tigers. Hopefully the Tigers will not fall out of the pennant race before then.
If you would like see how I am doing at the tournament here is the link. http://www2.scrabble-assoc.com/sublinks.asp?id=58&sid=186

2008 family reunion

2008-07-12T22:57:00.002-04:00

We did not take many pictures at the reunion this year, but the ones we took are posted toward the bottom of the blog. Thanks again to the Green Family for hosting the event.

Speak Oh Lord

2008-07-11T09:21:00.001-04:00

Facebook

2008-07-07T15:48:00.002-04:00

I am using Facebook to try and connect with many friends we have lost contact with over the years. I started a new group called "Liberty Baptist Church , Calgary, 1980's" . So far after one day there are five members in the group. I have done searches on Facebook for several of the people from that time of our lives. It is interesting that I am mostly finding the kids from the church back then that are now in there 20's and 30's. I figure if I can find them then maybe they can tell their parents about Facebook and help them find our group! I will keep you posted on how it goes.

It Is Well With My Soul

2008-07-05T04:36:00.000-04:00

Happy 232nd Birthday America

2008-07-04T17:17:00.002-04:00

The 4th of July is a good time to reflect. I am glad God chose for this to be the place I would be born. Acts 17:24-26 is a reminder of this.

24"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

I have lived here all my 54 years except for four while I was Pastoring a church in Canada. America is most likely where I will die. I have not been to many other places outside of this country, but when I have it was always good to get back "home". Now I know our country is not perfect and we have many problems that the Republicans or Democrates can not solve, but I would rather live here that any place else in the world. But I still am often reminded when I read the Bible that this is really not my home. As the old song says I remember singing as a child,

This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Chorus
O Lord you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Words and Music by Albert E. Brumley
© 1965 - Albert E. Brumley & Sons

Heaven is my real home and after my days are through here on earth I will be home throughout all eternity.

Hebrews 11:16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

July HAS Arrived!

2008-07-02T18:30:00.003-04:00

Yes it is July. Jared and Melisa left today after spending 11 days with us here in Michigan. We had a great time together and look forward to going down to visit them at the end of the month. The weather up north while we were there was perfect. The only negative was the huge mosquitoes that came out every night and sometimes during the day.The high lite was our one day visit to Mackinaw Island. We all rented bikes and did an eight mile trip around the Island. I will put a few pics from it on in the near future.
Now we are gearing up for our annual Warman Family Reunion which will be held in Michigan again on July 5th. Yes I am happy July is here!!

Odds and Ends

2008-06-14T17:42:00.003-04:00

Not a whole lot going on to write about. I have been off work now for a few weeks and have been staying busy with Church ministry. Summer is the time we start gearing up for the fall and I am involved in several ministry decisions that must be made. I am trusting the Lord will provide direction for all these decisions.
Jared and Melisa will be celebrating their first anniversery on June 16. This time last year we were down preparing for the big event. They will be coming here for a visit next week and staying for 11 days. We will be spending about 5 days of that up at the bridge attending our church family camp. Long range forecast is calling for highs only in the 60's so I hope our floridians make it through the cool temps.
We will be stopping on the way back in Flint and spend the night there. On Friday we will all go to the golf tournament there in which Tiger Woods is supposed to be playing in. We will also try and work in a Tiger game during that weekend. Anybody have four tickets available for any of those games let me know!

Connie Talbot

2008-06-05T14:33:00.001-04:00

This little girl can sing!

2008-05-31T01:40:00.001-04:00

odd and ends

2008-05-22T18:46:00.003-04:00

*Finished up my job today at Conners Creek Power House.
*Worked there 40 hours a week for 18 weeks.
*Looking forward to a little time off.
*Leaving for Chicago tomorrow morning to visit with Benita's family and play 20 games of scrabble at a tournament there.
*Looking forward to see how much gas money it will cost to get there and back.
*Jared and Melisa may be coming for a visit in June. They will fly not drive (has to be cheaper) and plan on going to church family camp in Mackinaw with us.
*Hopefully they will stay long enough to attend the Warman Family reunion here in Michigan
*Hope the Pistons can beat the Celtics tonight.
*Looking forward to the Wings playing in the Stanley Cup Finals against Pittsburgh.
*Wish the Tigers could play all their games against the Mariners (won 3 straight from them)
*Do the Lions really start training camp in just a few weeks?Tell me it aint so!!

My Brother the Blogger

2008-05-16T17:30:00.002-04:00

Last night I was surfing through some of my favorite blog sites when I discovered what I think may be my Brother, Tim's, first blog post. It was a tribute to our Mom that he wrote on Mother's Day. Well it made me cry the first time I read through it and then I had my wife read it out loud and I cried again. I did not know Tim had such a way with words. I thought I would post the link to it and let you see what I mean. Of course I told him I could not wait and see what he was going to write on Father's Day! Love you brother!! http://kowalskikronicles.blogspot.com/

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T18:31:00.002-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms reading this.
My Mom has been gone now for almost 32 years. It does not seem possible it has been that long.Benita's Mom has been gone now for over 40 years. Mother's Day is always a little bittersweet for us as we do not have our Mothers around to thank for all they did for us.Nevertheless we both are very thankful for the mothers God gave us and for the time we had them with us. We cherish our memories of them and a day does not go by that we do not think of them!
"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.. blessed be the name of the Lord."

I owe my mother a big thank you for my formative childhood years!!

2008-05-09T22:47:00.000-04:00

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION .
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
"Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out off that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6 . My mother taught me FORESIGHT .
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY .
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

9. My mother taught me about STAMINA .
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

10. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

11. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY .
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

12. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

13. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

14. My mother taught me about ENVY .
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

15. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION .
"Just wait until we get home."

16. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

17. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

18. My mother taught me HUMOR .
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

19. My mother taught me about my ROOTS .
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

20 My mother taught me WISDOM .
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

21. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE .
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you."

Author Unknown

In Honor of Mothers Everywhere.

2008-05-08T17:46:00.000-04:00

View and Listen

2008-05-06T23:54:00.002-04:00

The slide show below was created to have the Superman Theme song to play while viewing. So go to my video bar and click on one of the superman songs and view the slide show which is my attempt at some political humor. With still over 180 days until election day we will need a few laughs to get through it!

a little political humor

2008-05-06T23:29:00.001-04:00

No More Flicker

2008-05-05T17:31:00.003-04:00

No this is not B posting another bird story. This is M posting the latest Flicker story because B is to angry to write anything. Last night when we came home a starling was seen taking up residence in the hole in our maple that the flicker had worked on for two days. Mild mannered B was so mad she told me if she had a bb gun she would eliminate one of her least favorite birds. Thankfully the only gun we have in the house is an old rifle I got from my Dad years ago and I don't even know where the bullets are for it. I tried to calm her down and told her it was not her place to settle this bird dispute, but she is still mad. Her last comment when she got home from work a little while ago was how she was going to "fill the hole with, cement,or sand or some other substance" that would close the home to the foul bird. And here I thought birding was supposed to be a non-stressful hobby! Maybe she needs to take up scrabble as her hobby and give up birding!What do you think?

My Friend Flicker Youtube Video

2008-05-03T18:35:00.001-04:00

"My Friend Flicker"

2008-05-03T15:57:00.004-04:00

The title is not a spelling error, my story is about a bird, not a horse!
Exciting birding news at the Garner house. Our large maple in the front yard will soon be home to a pair of Northern Flickers.(woodpecker family for you non- birders :) Mike and I have decided they must surely have headaches by nightfall as they have been diligently excavating a perfectly round hole in our tree the past two days. We have a great view right out our den window... making it perfect for watching the soon to come young.
If the books are right they could have 5 - 10 eggs. I think they better keep excavating for now because that would be a big family for such a small home!
We have posted one picture to the right and if you scroll down you'll see the 2 larger pictures. I love birding and my goldfinch feeder on the same tree is so much fun to watch as many of my goldfinches are now year round residents. What an added attraction to now have flickers sharing the maple this summer!
I'm so thankful for a God who gives us such wonderful creatures to enjoy....and friends and family with which to share the stories.

It is Official

2008-04-28T16:45:00.003-04:00

Yes it is official. As of today we do not have a home phone. No more sales calls during dinner. No more answering machine messages to check. No more wrong numbers in the middle of the night. I have to admit it does feel a little weird not having a home phone after having one for years but I think I will get used to it. If someone is reading this and do not have our cell phone numbers and would like them, leave us a post and we will get them to you.

This is our Story to God be the Glory

2008-04-26T21:19:00.002-04:00

Ernie asked a question in one of his emails about knowing more about our lives sense we left Calgary in 1986. I remembered a time several years ago that Benita and I told our stories at CBC and thought this may be a good way to answer his question. I sent him the link and then thought I would post it here in case someone else would like to listen to it. http://www.communitybaptist.to/cbcaudio/073105s.mp3

Have a good and Godly day!

Permission to post

2008-04-25T22:32:00.001-04:00

Thanks for the kind words Ernie. I shared our exchanges with my Pastor today. He preached a message last Sunday on the subject of Suffering and It was a great message that I think you may find interesting. You can find it here http://www.communitybaptist.to/media.htm and then click on "Happiness Happens". Later in the day my Pastor asked me to share a short testimony to the church about Patrick and your contacting me these many years later. Of course I told him I would. I do not know exactly what I will say yet but I trust the Lord will give me the wisdom to say what needs to be said and that it will be an encouragement to the members of our church.
Also I want to know if you would mind me posting your last email on my blog? I would post it just as you wrote it. I believe it would be a blessing to some others to read it. Let me know your answer. If you don't want others to read it I will respect your privacy. Lord Bless Mike
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike, I am the one who should thanking you because your kindness, love and interest in Pat and our family is more real now than it was 25 years ago simply because I didn’t have an understanding of what or how you related personally with Pat at that particular time in your life. Of course I knew that you were being treated but –

I wish I could be there when you speak at your church service it would definitely be good for me as well to share in it. You can share any and /or all of my e mails as you see fit. Sometime when you have a minute please fill me in about how you got to go to Calgary and when you went back. Along with what you do as a boiler maker as I don’t really have a clue. How active are you as a Minister in your church?

When will you be sharing with the members of your church? Let me know please.

I have shared your blog/e mail with many people on my mail list and look forward to sharing it with more in the next few days.

Please say Hi to Benita from us and I think Shirley will be sending you an email shortly.

Kindest regards,

Ernie

Email from Ernie

2008-04-25T22:26:00.001-04:00

Mike, I was going to respond on Garner’s Gazette but I couldn’t figure it out so now I have to get Chris to explain to me how to do it. You have touched me immensely through your words. They are very much appreciated and after lots of tears I decided I needed to respond. I have made several phone calls to friends and family to let them know that I am forwarding this to them.

I didn’t realize that you were just 30 years old when you took on the roll of friend to Patrick, to us and you shared with us at his memorial service. When I started my search for you and Steve I wasn’t sure if I would be able to locate the two of you 25 years later or what I wanted or expected to happen if I did locate you. I didn’t realize how you meeting and knowing Pat (better than many), would impact your life as it obviously has. You have touched my family in such a special way and your comments on how your life has been interchanged with ours and Pat’s is significant. This special Blog makes my decision to locate you and check in with you very worth while and I hope we can share more in the future.

I was just 33 and Shirley was 30 at the time of Pat’s passing and we didn’t know what might come our way next nor could we find the answers we were looking for and like you today we are no closer to answering those question’s. We thought that our lives had to get better because loosing Patrick was the worst possible event in our lives. Yet God continued to challenge us each day of our lives when we made life decisions, when Chris was diagnosed, when I fell off the roof, when that car accident happened and when I lay on the floor in the bank robbery.

Yes, Mike, you did make the right decision when you moved to Calgary to take over your post as Pastor and if there was anyway to make up your pension (like if I win the lottery!!) I would happily do it. You had what it took to do the job that God put in front of you and you faced it –the Church and your personal battle with cancer. We are very happy that you moved to Calgary because I know that those discussions you had with Pat made a difference to him and he is sitting there watching us reconnect and smiling down at us as we go through this and share in what occurred a quarter century ago. IMAGINE!!!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing your “GOD MOMENT” with all who may read your blog.

I will be sharing this with Steve and all my friends on the computer

Best wishes,

Ernie

A God Moment

2008-04-24T19:28:00.003-04:00

Last week I had what I have heard called a "God Moment". A "God Moment" is a time when God works in a way that you realize something is just not a coincidence but a direct result of God working in your life. It all started at work one day last week when I was looking over my retirement readout with another fellow boilermaker. He was helping me figure out all the fine print in the papers. After we finished that it started to sink in that I would probably not be getting a big enough pension to be able to retire in November when I turn 55. As I examined the numbers I realized if I would have stayed boilermaking in 1982 instead of going to Calgary to Pastor a church I would probably have had enough hours and money in my pension to retire this year. Then I started wondering if I done the right thing back then.
A few moments later while checking my email on my phone, my Pastor told me someone had written him an email asking if I was the same Mike Garner who pastored in Calgary in the early 1980's. Pastor forwarded me the email and I contacted Ernie Callow. Ernie did a search on the web to see if he could find me because he wanted to thank me for something. That something was my part of the memorial service for his then 6 year old son Pat. Pat and I had cancer at the same time in 1982. We both lost all of our hair from our treatments and we would talk about that and other things during times at church on Sundays. I remember well Pat's spirit during that time and I never heard him once complain or ask "why me?". He just took what came his way and did the best he could with it. In the fall of 1983 Pat went home to be with the Lord. That same year my cancer went away and has never returned. Why did God heal me and take little Pat at such a young age? I still do not have the answer to that question to this day. I do know it was not because I was more deserving than little Patrick. I also know that little Patrick's life and death were and still are an inspiration to me and I am thankful that God allowed our life paths to cross.
Then came the "God Moment". I realized if I had stayed in Michigan longer in 1982 I would have missed this experience and many more important ones as well. God's timing is perfect. After 25 years God used Ernie to find me, thank me, encourage me, and confirm to me that I made the right decision in 1982. I may not be able to retire this year but that is O.K. I know I made the right decision then and I look forward to boilermaking a few more years if that is what the Lord has for me! Thank you Ernie and Thank you God.

My 100TH Post!

2008-04-16T22:59:00.002-04:00

I just noticed when I went to post that this is number 100. So I thought I would celebrate by talking about my 3 favorite sports teams that all happened to play tonight. First my Tigers beat Clevland tonight by a big score. It was over before I got home from church after a big grand slam in the 5th inning. I was hoping we would win this one so I would not have to take anymore grief from my boss who is an Indian fan. We are now tied for last at 5-10. Not good!
My Pistons also beat a Clevland team tonight as they won their last regular season game. Bring on the 76ERS.
Last but not least are the wings. It looks like they may lose tonight to Nashville and come home Friday for game 5 all even.
Oh by the way the Lions did not play today thank the Lord!

The Oprah Cult?

2008-04-04T16:12:00.003-04:00

I have said for years that I believed Oprah would start her own church someday. It seems that that is happening now with her new web casts she is doing with an author of her favorite book she has ever read. Watch the Youtube video and see what I mean. Thanks to Deanna for letting me know about it.

What is Oprah Teaching?

2008-04-04T16:11:00.000-04:00

Change

2008-04-02T16:53:00.003-04:00

If you know my wife very well you know she does not like change. I have been trying to talk her into doing away with our phone land line ever sense we went to cable internet access. We do not get many calls on that phone anymore and I hate dialing numbers so much I even use my cell phone when I am home. Well finally she has come around and we will be stopping our service in the next week or so. If you do not know our cell phone numbers and want them let me know and I will give them to you.

Church Announcements

2008-03-27T17:43:00.003-04:00

Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services (Summer, 2006 Release).

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'

Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.

This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

Scrabble Video

2008-03-26T19:41:00.000-04:00

Opening day in JAPAN?

2008-03-25T16:59:00.003-04:00

I am sitting here watching a replay of the first baseball game of the 2008 season and it is a replay of a game that was played this morning our time in Japan. The Red Sox with two players from Japan seem to be the favorite of the huge crowd.
In my lifetime it has been interesting to see so many of our professional sports leagues branch out to other parts of the world. Baseball, Football, and Basketball have all played league games in other countries. I believe it will not be to long before we see our leauges expand to other places outside of the U.S. (other than Canada which already has Basketball and Baseball teams). This could be a sign that we are in the last part of the last days before Jesus Christ will return. We live in exciting times! Maranatha

Why Does the Date for Easter Change Each Year?

2008-03-23T16:27:00.004-04:00

At church this morning someone asked me why the date for Easter changes each year. After fumbling around for an answer I decided I better look it up so I would know for sure. I knew it had something to do with the moon.The following is one of a few responseS I found on the net. Don't forget CHRIST IS RISEN! - CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!!

Believe it or not, Easter was not celebrated by the church until the 2nd Century. It was nearly always followed by 50 days focusing on the resurrection. There were two ways the date of Easter was celebrated. In Asia Minor, Christians celebrated Easter on the Jewish Passover, (14th of Nisan in the Jewish calendar) no matter what day of the week. Others used the Sunday after Passover. In 325 A.D., the church declared that Easter was to “be on the Sunday that followed the first full moon after the spring equinox.” That means Easter can be as early as March 22nd and as late as April 25th.

The date for Easter for the Orthodox churches, which still use the Julian calendar, still differs from Western churches, which use the Gregorian calendar. As a result, the Easter date is usually one to four weeks later than in the West.

Wall to Wall Basketball

2008-03-22T21:45:00.004-04:00

College Basketball junkies are in their glory this weekend. 64 teams are playing in the big tournament and only 16 will make it through the weekend. I have watched my share of games but after awhile they all start running together. My pick for the winning team this year is Memphis. They should not be to excited about that as I never pick the winner.

Ok Anybody out There?

2008-03-18T20:51:00.002-04:00

I have been posting here now for over two months. A matter of fact I am proud to say I have not missed a day during that time. I can tell by my counter that several people have given my blog a look. I have also had a few people tell me about seeing something I have posted here. It would be nice to hear a comment or two from you. I welcome positive and negative feedback. Some topics you like and some you could do without. Thanks in advance.

All 101 Scrabble Two-Letter Words

2008-03-17T16:57:00.005-04:00

If you are a beginner and want to improve in scrabble the first think you need to do is memorize all 101 two letter words. You probably know 75% of them so there is only about 25 you will need to learn. Here is a list of all of them.

AA AB AD AE AG AH AI AL AM AN
AR AS AT AW AX AY
BA BE BI BO BY
DE DO
ED EF EH EL EM EN ER ES ET EX
FA FE
GO
HA HE HI HM HO
ID IF IN IS IT
JO
KA KI
LA LI LO
MA ME MI MM MO MU MY
NA NE NO NU
OD OE OF OH OI OM ON OP OR OS OW OX OY
PA PE PI
QI
RE
SH SI SO
TA TI TO
UH UM UN UP US UT
WE WO
XI XU
YA YE YO
ZA

What a Great Day!

2008-03-16T19:00:00.003-04:00

We had a great day at church today. We had over 300 in attendance with many of our people serving in various ways. This was the best baptism I have ever been a part of. We are so blessed to serve with such a great bunch of people at CBC. I have added a few pictures of todays activities for your viewing.

Ordinance Sunday

2008-03-15T13:08:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow is ordinance Sunday at our church. Three Sundays a year we have a communion service and baptism service. In the past we have done our baptisms at our parent church, Huron Baptist, during the afternoon hours. We also do a celebraton dinner after the baptisms in which we invite family and friends of the baptism candidates to attend.
A few months ago the leadership team saw that we had the potential to have a larger than usual number of people getting baptized and we were questioning wheather Huron would be big enough to house the event. As we were brainstorming about possible alternatives one of the fellows mentioned the swimming pool at the middle school we currently meet at. After some further discussion we decided to look deeper into this possibility.
Well tomorrow 8 adults, 1 teenager, and 3 children will be baptized in the swimming pool at Brownstown Middle School. Also we will have over 100 guests between them all, who will be witnessing this event and joining in the dinner celebration that follows. It is very likly we will have close to 300 people gathered aroung the pool watching the baptisms. A lot of planning and the work of many of our members will go into making this all happen, but it is the kind of work that is well worth it. I look forward to many more special days like this one in the days to come at Community Baptist Church.

Can it Really Be?

2008-03-14T23:30:00.003-04:00

Wow, can my little guy really be 26 years old today? It does not seem possible. It seems like only yesterday that his mom was giving him a bath in Aunt Lane's bathroom sink. From this picture you can see where he picked up the nickname, Michelin Man. Have a great birthday Bud!

Happy Birthday Jared!

2008-03-13T19:59:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow is my son's 26th birthday. As I was driving home from work today I thought back to one of my favorite memories of his past birthdays. It all started when Jared was about 3 years old and we lived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. During that time I liked to golf, and Jared would ask often if he could go with me when I would go.I would always answer him the same way, "I will take you golfing when you turn 8 years old". Why I picked that age I do not know ,but I remember repeating it often over the next few years. When Jared was four years old we moved back to Michigan to live. The Christmas before his eight birthday his Mom and I bought him a junior set of golf clubs. At this point the story had changed to me taking him golfing on his eight birthday if the weather would allow it. Well, low and behold March 14th came that year, and to my surprise it was a near record high for that day of the month in Michigan. If I remember correctly it was in the low 70's. Not only that but it was dry enough that a par three golf course by our house was open. We golfed together that day and had a great time. I still often look at the picture that Benita took of us that day on our front porch with both of us holding our clubs and remember what a great day it was. I don't golf much anymore but when I do get to go I would rather go with Jared than anyone else in the world. Happy Birthday Jared! I love you.
(3-15 after looking at the picture today only Jared was holding his clubs.Sorry about that)

Indescribable - Chris Tomlin

2008-03-12T23:23:00.000-04:00

40 Five Letter Scrabble Words

2008-03-11T17:46:00.004-04:00

I found this on the net and thought it was interesting. All 40 of these words are in the official scrabble dictionary. The two blanks are E and S.

I may sartt witirntg my bolg tihs way.

2008-03-10T17:23:00.002-04:00

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

9 WORDS WOMEN USE

2008-03-09T16:00:00.002-04:00

Once in a while I will get a forward that I really like. The following is one B and I got a nice laugh from. See if you have ever said or heard any of these before.
I know B has never used any of these with me before! Well maybe one or two.. Whatever..
(Author Unknown)

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" ... that will bring on a "whatever").

(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying "Kiss my butt"!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Daylight savings time.

2008-03-08T23:05:00.002-05:00

I just looked up at the clock and thought I had not gotten my post in on time to keep my consecutive blog post streak alive. Then I realized my wife had just set the clock ahead for the hour we lose tonight. I am on set-up tomorrow at church so it will be a short night of sleep.
I heard a good idea about daylight savings time yesterday on the radio. It was suggested that the spring daylight savings time clock change should be moved from early Sunday morning to early in the afternoon on Friday. That way everyone would get out of work OR school an hour early. Now of course in the fall it would be best to keep it early sunday morning so you would get that extra hours of sleep.

Things My Mother Taught Me

2008-03-07T21:18:00.002-05:00

I owe my mother a big thank you for my formative childhood years!!
(Author Unknown)

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION .
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
"Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out off that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6 . My mother taught me FORESIGHT .
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY .
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

9. My mother taught me about STAMINA .
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

10. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

11. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY .
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

12. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

13. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

14. My mother taught me about ENVY .
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

15. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION .
"Just wait until we get home."

16. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

17. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

18. My mother taught me HUMOR .
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

19. My mother taught me about my ROOTS .
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

20 My mother taught me WISDOM .
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

21. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE .
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you."

Friends

2008-03-06T20:37:00.003-05:00

We have a great bunch of folks at our church that make up our "Friends" group. "Friends" is a fifty (or there-a-bouts) and over group that get together for fellowship twice a month usually over a meal. Tonight 22 of us met at the Lakes of Taylor Golf course were they have a senior special each Thurday. There are several meal choices to choose from at a very reasonal price.Tonight my wife and I were the first ones there, so the waitress quickly brought us a menu. Then she gave us a very nice complement when she asked "You are not seniors are you?", to which I quickly replied "Yes we are." But then I realized they were using the age of 55 not 50 as their dividing point, so I gladly ordered off the regular menu. Now, I have to admit this is the first time I have ever been "carded" for the senior discount rate. Of course it will only be a few more months and I will be able to order off the Senior Menu with the rest of my "Friends".

Pistons -Celtics

2008-03-05T21:16:00.002-05:00

Sitting here watching the Pistons- Celtics. This is like watching a playoff game. As a matter of fact many believe, with me being one of them, that this will be the Eastern Conference Final's matchup. Brings back memories of the old Bad Boys vs. Celtics in the late 80's. Bring on the Playoffs!

Overtime and Snow

2008-03-04T20:10:00.002-05:00

Two of my least favorite things happened today. I had to work 12 hours because of an emergency repair at River Rouge Powerhouse and it is snowing again. Forcasters are calling for 4 to 7 inches and it should be an interesting drive in to work tomorrow. Also I am supposed to work 12 hours again but will leave after 10 so I can teach my Bible class. That is unless the snow cancels our evening services tomorrow.How many more days until opening day?

You Think You Had A Bad Day?

2008-03-03T18:03:00.001-05:00

Scrabble Friday

2008-03-02T23:03:00.003-05:00

I played in a 15 game tournament this weekend. I only won 5 games and lost 10.
I still had a good time despite my poor outing. My favorite bingo I played was PRECLEAN.I also played 4 other 8 letter bingoes.
FRAILEST, REPOURED, DOMINATE, and GLITTERS.

Funny Anagrams Answers

2008-03-01T20:48:00.001-05:00

GEORGE BUSH: H E B U G S G O R E

DORMITORY: D I R T Y R O O M

PRESBYTERIAN: B E S T I N P R A Y E R

THE MORSE CODE: H E R E C O M E D O T S

SLOT MACHINES: C A S H L O S T I N M E

MOTHER-IN-LAW: W I T C H H I T L E R

SNOOZE ALARMS: A L A S! N O M O R E Z’ S

A DECIMAL POINT: I’M A D O T I N P L A C E

ELEVEN PLUS TWO: T W E L V E PLUS O N E

FUNNY ANAGRAMS

2008-02-29T18:25:00.001-05:00

Try and fill in the blanks to make a funny anagram phrase. I will post the answers at a later date.

GEORGE BUSH: H _ B _ _ _ G _ _ _

DORMITORY: D _ _ _ _ R _ _ _

PRESBYTERIAN: B _ _ _ I _ P _ _ _ _ _

THE MORSE CODE: H _ _ _ C _ _ _ D _ _ _

SLOT MACHINES: C _ _ _ L _ _ _ I _ M _

MOTHER-IN-LAW: W _ _ _ _ H _ _ _ _ _

SNOOZE ALARMS: A _ _ _! N _ M _ _ _ Z’ S

A DECIMAL POINT: I’M A D _ _ I _ P _ _ _ _

ELEVEN PLUS TWO: _ _ _ _ _ _ PLUS _ _ _

You Are My Hiding Place

2008-02-28T22:21:00.000-05:00

IC vs. BP

2008-02-27T23:17:00.002-05:00

Stopped by for the 2nd half of the Inter-City - Baptist Park District Basketball game after church tonight. This rivaly goes way back to the mid - seventies and I have been on both sides of it. When I got there tonight BP was up by one. A very close game ended with IC pulling out the win. It was good to see so many familiar faces from both sides. Guess I will go back for the District final on Friday.

High School Basketball Tournament Time

2008-02-26T18:58:00.002-05:00

Last week the girls started off the High School Basketball Tournament season. The boys start their's this week. This is the first year the boys and the girls have played during the same period of time. I am sure it kept the athletic directors at each High School up late at night trying to schedule all the practices and games.
The Inter-City girls team won their first district in five years. They play a very good team tonight in Warren, so it looks like their season could end tonight. The boys drew a bye so they do not play until Wed. night. They are the favorites in their district but anything can happen.
This time of the year brings back fond memories of when our son played at IC. They won a district his senior year and won one regional game before losing to Detroit City in the regional final. I may have to bring out and old tape of one of those games and watch it this week. I will also try and get out and see one of the games and support our son's old school.

Anagrams with my Own Definitions - Final

2008-02-25T20:28:00.002-05:00

SLEAZO AZOLES (shoddy chemical compounds)

DREADING READDEING (you won the scrabble game by one, and now a recount)

ENDEARED DEADENER (I love but I do not feel)

ADHERED REHEARD (sticky echos)

MADDENS DEMANDS (John Madden’s contract stipulations)

DOWNLOADS WOODLANDS (likes to save computer pictures of forests)

DEPARTEES DESPARATE (headline about the New Orleans evacuation)

DEPARTEE REPEATED (I am leaving one more time)

ENFRAMED FREEDMAN (innocent man found guilty)

Watching "Lost" on a Computer

2008-02-24T20:38:00.005-05:00

Some 25 years ago, when Benita and I were first married, we got hooked watching the TV series "Hill Street Blues". It was a continuing story that left you hanging each week. After that we tried to stay away from those type of programs because they took up to much of our time. That was until our son had us start watching the first season of "24" two years ago while we were down visiting him. Benita has now watched seasons one, two, three, four, and five so far. I have watched some of them but not all of them. She bought season six on DVD but has not started watching it yet. The reason being when our son came home a while back he brought his DVD's of the first season of "Lost". Low and below Benita started watching all the reruns of those on DVD. She has now caught up and has starting watching the show each Thursday night. The only problem is Thursday nights are a busy night for church ministries. So I discovered we can watch the show the next day on our lap top computer. Hopefully our son will not get us watching his latest favorite continuing show, "Prison Break". Or at least not until these other shows go off the air!

Hill Street Blues

2008-02-24T20:38:00.001-05:00

Two Saturdays - Two Weddings

2008-02-23T23:19:00.002-05:00

We went to our second wedding in two weeks today. As I have said before, weddings are not one of my favorite thing to do. Last year I only went to one wedding, and it was my son's. I just could not get out of going to that one!ha
So let's see if I have to attend any more this year or if this will be it.
I have included a picture of B and me from tonight.

Scrabble Friday

2008-02-22T17:44:00.002-05:00

Daniel Stock is a scrabble player from Ohio. He is known as Stocky and likes anything purple. He also is know for making up sayings using all 100 tiles of a scrabble game. The picture I have posted was taken by me at the beginning of a tournament we both played in. He used all 100 tiles and made eight seven letter words and four 15 letter words. The playing board will not allow a player to make a longer word than 15 letters. I have posted a larger picture at the bottom of the page.

Songs from the Past

2008-02-21T20:43:00.003-05:00

I found this video tonight and thought I would post it. It sure does bring back some fond memories and tugged at my heart again just like it used to. The first song is one I listened to many times in my car. The second one is my prayer and I trust it it yours also. No matter what comes my way I will trust God in it for He is worthy of all my faith, trust and love. Lord Bless

Twila Paris -The Warrior is a Child/I Will Trust Him

2008-02-21T20:41:00.000-05:00

WHAT TIME DOES YOUR CHURCH START?

2008-02-20T23:37:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been asked that question before? Years ago most churches that I knew of , had the traditional Sunday starting times of 10 AM Sunday School , 11 AM Worship Service , 7:30 Evening Service. If you wanted to visit a different church you could be confident that most likely those three times were the times for each of the Sunday services. Now days it seems no two churches are alike with their starting times. Churches today that have multiple services may meet as early as 8 am and even have a Saturday evening service. Some churches hold Sunday afternoon services because they share a building with another church. Many evening services now start as early as 5 pm with some churches choosing to not meet together at all or meet in small groups in various members’ homes.

WHAT TIME DOES YOUR CHURCH START ? At Community Baptist Church that question has several different answers depending on who you ask. For many members of CBC, church starts well before they arrive at Brownstown Middle School on Sunday morning. Some prepare sermons and lessons during the week while others make sure all the ministries are covered for the upcoming Sunday gathering. Early Sunday morning several make coffee at home to bring, while others pick up bagels and other goodies for Café community. Someone else strategically places the guest parking signs at various locations around our meeting place.

Church starts for others at 8:30 a.m. when the doors are opened for the preparation of changing a school building into a church meeting place. Some are there every week at this time while others join in once a month for their rotating set-up responsibility. At this time tables and chairs are moved into position, sound equipment is set-up and tested, and video screens and monitors are put into place. Other activities include Children’s Ministry rooms being organized, needed supplies being transported from the storage cabinets to their proper places, an information table is created, and all the food and drink preparations for Café Community are completed. For other members Church starts at 9:00 when the Ensemble starts to practice the songs for the morning, the nursery and two and three year old classrooms are prepared for the children’s arrival, and the greeters and ushers prepare for their important ministry of the day.

But when someone asks the question WHAT TIME DOES YOUR CHURCH START, what they usually want to know is “when does the actual worship service begin?. The answer to that question at CBC is 9:30 a.m. That is the time Pastor Brown begins our service with announcements. After that we sing together, pray together, give our offerings to the Lord, and hear God’s Word so wonderfully preached and taught each week. So if you want to be on time for the 9:30 AM morning worship service at CBC I have a suggestion for you. I would walk through the front door of Brownstown Middle School no later than 9:15. That should give you time to greet the many friendly folks at CBC, place your children in either the nursery or two and three year old classroom if need be, look at the materials and information sheets on the book table, receive your bulletin from an usher, and find a seat for the 9:30 start. So what time does church start at CBC? I think the best answer is to start thinking …no later that 9:15!

Now I can hear the next question coming, WHAT TIME DOES YOUR CHURCH END? That is a question that will have to wait for another day!

Recession?

2008-02-19T17:52:00.003-05:00

On Saturday after attending a wedding Benita and I attended the Boilermakers Dinner -dance. There are several things that make the dinner-dance so appealing to attend.It is a chance to see many of the guys in a suit and without a hardhat on, good food, and it is free! This is the first dinner-dance we have had in five years and it was the largest attended of all the other ones I have attended. Over 230 people were there I was told. It took place at the new MGM Grand Casino Hotel downtown and was very classy. Benita and I arrived just in time to eat and left before the party got to wild. We parked in the Casino parking garage and had to walk through the gambling area to get to the banquet room. One thing that was very evident during our walk through was it was packed with people putting their money in machines and on gambling tables. It sure did not look like there was any kind of recession going on in Detroit by the size of the crowd.I have included my favorite picture from the night.