A Funny Thing Happened on the way to Traffic Court

 I always told my mother, "don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to."

Well mom, unless you want to know how many traffic tickets I've had, I suggest you quit reading now.

At Sherrod Ave., where M and I attend church, on Wednesday nights during the summer, we forgo adult Bible classes, and have ministers or others from the area lead a lesson.  I guess it is a form of preaching, but a lot more laid back.  I like that.

Last night, our speaker was Dr. Laws Rushing II, the President of Mars Hill Bible School.  His assigned topic (and I am paraphrasing) was the meaningfulness of singing in worship.  No, not a word was said in the centuries old acapella v. instrumental music debate, and I for one was grateful that was not a part of his presentation.

What was part of his presentation was talking about how music makes us feel.  Not just hymns we might sing in worship, but secular songs as well.  He used the example of Bruce Springsteen.  He talked about a job he once had, driving a $100,000 Mercedes from Tampa to Nashville.  Besides enjoying the sweet ride, he talked about the sound system in the car.  He referenced The Boss and said the more energy Bruce put into the song, the faster he unknowingly started driving.  That is until one of Georgia's finest State Troopers stopped him, leaving him with an opportunity to make a donation to the state of Georgia within the next 30 days.

I have mentioned more than once in this space how I am often looking for topics to write about, and when he mentioned getting pulled over in South Georgia, voila', the topic of this blog was in my head.  In fact, I did not hear a word he said in the next five minutes, because I was already busy composing this blog in my head.  You'll be happy to know I wrote the first two lines in my head while he was still talking.  Sorry Laws, and sorry mom.

To be honest, not all of my tickets have been for speeding, though the vast majority were.  Of the 15 or so moving violations I have received in Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas, there were two or three for making a right on red, at least one for passing on the shoulder, and one for running a red light.  I'll explain later.

Despite this record of tickets, M still insists I am a good driver.  When I ask her how she can say that, she replies, "because I can fall asleep when you are driving," Evidently, if she can sleep while I am driving, that is a stamp of approval.

I passed the Missouri written driving test a few days after my 16th birthday in June 1973 on my first attempt.  I passed the driving test about 60 days later.  So I have been driving for 52 years.  That really sounds like a long time when i put it like that.

I got my first ticket a year or so later, beginning a life of total disregard of traffic rules.  It was for speeding of course, something silly like 37 in a 25.  The fine was minimal, but I was now on their radar, literally and figuratively.

The second ticket was much more spectacular, from which I also received a stern lecture from a Missouri State Trooper.  It was January 1977.  I was driving alone in my mother's car from Searcy to St. Louis.  Somewhere in southern Missouri it started snowing on me, and it was sticking.  I was on a two- lane stretch of US 67, so I was being pretty careful.  It wasn't long before I reached Farmington, MO and four-lane.  Now on a multi-lane divided highway, and despite the falling snow that was sticking to the roadway, my speed increased, then increased some more until I was pulled over somewhere in Jefferson County, MO, doing what the trooper said was "77 in a 55," and in the snow.

He was furious at me, maybe because he had to get out of his warm car, I don't know for sure.  But after giving me my ticket, he lectured me for at least 10 minutes on how stupid I was driving the way I was, that I was an accident waiting to happen, and I was being so reckless I might get somebody else hurt.  Well, he was right, so I slowed down, somewhat.

I've received two right turn on red tickets.  One in the St. Louis suburb of Hazelwood, which also led to my first and only booking, and the second was in Naples, FL.  Let's start with that one.  It was a Saturday; I do remember that but have no idea what time of year.  I lived in Naples from 1995-98, and it was in my last year there.  I had been driving on southbound I-75 from North Naples to South Naples, a distance of five miles or so.  I had exited the freeway, knowing full well there was a state trooper behind me.  At the light off the exit ramp, I came to a full stop, looked both ways, with my blinker indicating my intention to make a right turn, which I did.  It was textbook.  As I made my right turn, the trooper behind me did as well, except as he did, he had turned his blue lights on and motioned for me to pull over.  

When he got to my window, he asked if I knew why he pulled me over, I was polite, and clueless, and my answer "I have no idea," reflected that.  He responded there were two intersections in Collier County (where Naples was), that you could not make a right on red.  I had just found one of them.  As punishment, the following Saturday I attended a four-hour safe driving class rather than pay a fine.  Lesson learned.

The one is Hazlewood was in December of '87 or January '88.  No snow was involved, but I remember it was cold.  I was on Lindbergh Blvd. heading north and needed to make a right turn on Dunn.  The light was red, and I made a rolling stop and then made the turn.  Once again, I was nailed immediately because the sign clearly stated, no right on red.  If only I had seen it.  Most likely I saw it and chose to ignore it.  So I was given a citation.

But here is where it really gets interesting.  Well, interesting depending on your point of view.  My court date was on the back of the ticket, which meant pay it by that date or go to traffic court and plea.  I was very familiar with the routine.  I let the ticket sit for a week or so and one morning went to the Hazlewood City Hall to pay it.  They started processing it and the gal stopped.  "Mr. Sullivan," she said, "I can't accept this, because your court date was yesterday."  I wasn't sure what that meant and reiterated I just wanted to pay my fine.  Well as it turns out, if you miss your court date, even for turning right on red, they issue a bench warrant in your name for your arrest.  So I walked down the hall to the PD and turned myself in.  They took my picture and fingerprinted me and didn't talk much.  I was given another citation for failure to appear which had a "Must Appear" stamped on it.  Bottom line, lesson learned, because failure to appear tickets cost a lot.

Just two more stories.

Last ticket I received was a speeding ticket in Memphis.  I was heading west on I-240 near the airport when I was pulled over.  I was told I was speeding, 67 in a 55.  I had no idea it was a 55 zone.  I think I asked the officer, "Seriously?"  He still gave me a ticket.  I posted my misfortune of Facebook and two of my Chi Sig brothers from Harding, both of whom live in Memphis, responded.  John Redden said matter-of-factly, "First off, you got stopped because you pulled over.  Should have kept going and let someone else pull over."  Then I had a note from Perry Cain, who offered this beauty.  "67?  That's school zone speed."

Finally, one last remembrance of my long and glorious history of breaking various motor vehicle laws.  This one again was in St. louis, actually the suburb of Overland where I grew up.  Family friend Mike Bohan was riding with me.  He had been in town for business and was heading back to Indianapolis.  Anyway, we were approaching a school zone.  I started to brake, and Mike said, "it's after nine, kids are already in school, don't worry about it."  So I listened to Mike and didn't slow down.  About a half-mile later I am pulled over as an Overland Policeman is writing me a ticket for going too fast in a school zone. I was fuming, and at the same time quietly amused.  Mike was about 25 years older than me, but in many ways, we were a lot alike.  After saying thank you for my gift, I put my left blinker on and pulled out into traffic.  At this point, Mike started apologizing profusely for telling me not to slow down.  He felt the ticket was his fault, and at this point offered to pay the fine.  You know what?  I let him.

I'm reasonably sure I'm not the only one with stories to tell about their driving days and brushes with the law.  Hope you smiled a bit.

Be nice to each other and have a great week.  Adios.

Cooperstown

Last (Sunday) night as the hour was fast approaching Monday, it occurred to me that earlier in the afternoon were the induction ceremonies of the 2025 class of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.  I went to You Tube and found the acceptance speech of Ichiro Suzuki.  I was not surprised at all by the humbleness he displayed and the gratitude he offered to those who had played a role in his success.  Another video from the ceremonies was the introduction of 51 living Hall-of-Fame players who had returned to Cooperstown for this year's ceremonies honoring the induction of Dick Allen, Dave Parker, C. C. Sabathia, Ichiro and Billy Wagner.  Despite the late hour, we had to watch.

It was late September in 1983.  Early on a Monday morning, I drove to Lambert Field in St. Louis, boarded a United 727, and flew to Chicago.  I had nearly an hour between flights, and easily made my connection to another United flight, this time a 737 to Albany, New York.  After a short flight of an hour or so, I picked up my rental car and headed west the 75 miles or so to Cooperstown, the small town of barely 1,000, named for the ancestors of James Finimore Cooper.

Upon my arrival in Cooperstown just after noon, I checked into my hotel and then headed to the Hall of Fame.  I don't know if you would call it a Mecca for baseball fans, it is certainly on every baseball fans bucket list to see and I was no exception.  I wasn't married at the time and had no children, so there was nothing to make me hurry my visit.

My plan was to spend parts of two days at the Baseball Hall of Fame, Monday afternoon, and most of Tuesday.  I figured that would be enough time.  It really wasn't, but that's ok, I got to see a lot.  On that Monday afternoon I mostly stayed on the museum area of the Hall, looking at artifacts from famous players.  Uniforms, bats, balls, and gloves.  Anyone who was remotely famous for playing baseball, had some artifact, something they had on when a tremendous feat occurred.  For a baseball fanatic like me, it was my birthday, Christmas and heaven all rolled up into one.

The following day I visited the Plaque Room, where the bronze plaques honoring all of the inductees are hanging on the oak walls.  When you enter the room, my immediate thought is, "should I take my shoes off?"  After all, for baseball fans, this is hallowed ground.  In 1983, when I visited, there were 184 players, executives, managers and umpires enshrined.  Today, 42 years later, the number totals 351.

There is a long path down the middle of the room.  The lighting directs your attention to the plaques hanging on the walls in groups of five.  They are in no certain order.  Lou Gehrig might be next to Willie Mays.  Satchel Paige to Stan Musial.  Yogi Berra to Jimmie Foxx.  You just never know as you look at each plaque and marvel at the accomplishments of each player.

There are two exceptions to this rule.  In one area, on the wall in the middle of the room, are the plaques for those honored that particular year.  When I was there in 1983, there were four.  Juan Marichal, George Kell, Brooks Robinson and Walter Alston.  If you took a silhouette of the wind-up of every pitcher who has ever played in the majors, without question most would recognize Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants.  His high-leg kick was unmistakable and remains so even today.  Marichal, along with Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson, dominated National League pitching in the 1960's.  George Kell grew up in Swifton, Arkansas, about 30 miles from Pocahontas and 60 miles from Searcy, two other Arkansas towns where I have lived.  While working for Searcy radio station KWCK in 1980, I had opportunity to interview Kell.  I asked him if he ever thought about the Hall of Fame.  A 10-time All-Star and batting champ Kell responded with two-words, "every day."  Three years later, his daily dream became reality.  Another Arkansan, Brooks Robinson was from Little Rock, spent his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles and is generally considered to be the best fielding third-baseman of all time.  Finally, there was Walter Alston.  In 1936, Alston played one game with the St. Louis Cardinals.  He played two innings, he got to bat once and struck out.  That was it, at age 25 his major league playing career was over, so he went back to the minors and started to manage.  For 23 seasons, from 1954-1976, Alston managed the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, winning over 2,000 games.  His Dodger teams won seven pennants and four World Championships with him at the helm.

Also with their own special wall are the plaques honoring the five original inductees in 1936.  Their names remind us of the players who made baseball the National Pastime.  Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner.  The first five have a wall all their own, as well they should.  Cobb, who has more hits than anyone else not named Pete Rose.  Johnson, the "Big Train", won over 400 games and threw harder than anyone else alive.  Mathewson won 373 games for the Giants between 1900 and 1916.  After his playing days he enlisted in the Army near the end of World War I and served in the Chemical Weapons Unit at the Western Front.  He would die of tuberculosis, at age 45. Babe Ruth.  Bigger than life, 714 home runs as a hitter, a 94-46 record as a pitcher.  He was Shohei Ohtani 100 years before there was an Ohtani.  Honus Wagner, a shortstop for the Pirates for 21 seasons, had 3,420 hits, from 1897 to 1917.  One of the first truly great baseball players

I think I spent three or four hours in the room.  Honestly, I could have spent more, maybe another day, but I had to drive back to Albany because I had a flight to catch.

But last night, Marilyn and I watched the introduction of the living Hall-of-Famers who made the trip to Cooperstown.   Of the 51 who were there, I'm guessing I saw maybe half in person.  Me and M, who was a baseball fan before she met me (she liked the Cincinnati Big Red Machine), we would attempt to guess the player as their accomplishments were being read.  I think we only missed one or two.

Having grown up in St. Louis, I went to baseball games frequently, some years as many as 35-40 games.  Back "in the day," my brother and I could sit in the bleachers at Busch Stadium for a back.  It was cheaper than the movies.  Suffice to say, I've seen a lot of baseball, and it never ceases to thrill me to see the players I grew up watching.

Even though he played for the Cubs, I was always a Billy Williams fan.  He was one of the few who could hit Gibson, and he had one of the sweetest swings ever.  Great player.  Sandy Koufax retired from the Dodgers at the age of 31 because of arthritis in his elbow.  He was the best pitcher on the planet when he retired  He threw four no-hitters, and his control was so good, if you were hit by one of his pitches, it was because he wanted to hit you.  At 89, he was the oldest one there and the sharpest dresser.  I talked about Juan Marichal earlier, he was there, as was Ted Simmons, the former Cardinal catcher, whose nickname, "Simba" was due to his perpetually long hair, that is now grey, but still long, which I've always been jealous of.  Another Hall-of-Fame Cardinal, Ozzie Smith looked like he could still play.

In the late '70's and early '80's when the Phillies came to town, Barry and I would always get there early enough for batting practice and sit in the left-field bleachers.  When Mike Schmidt took BP, you could always count on him hitting 15 or so into the bleachers.  M was a huge Johnny Bench fan, and she was happy when he came out.  Personally, I liked Tony Perez, plus his son Eduardo played for the Cardinals.

I would imagine you have had enough baseball for one blog.  I like Hall-of-Fame weekend and gives me an opportunity to riminess, which fast approaching 70, is something I find myself doing more and more.

Have a great week.  Be nice to each other.  See you down the road.

God's Perfect Timing

I know not everyone who reads this blog is a person of faith.  That is your choice.  I am a believer.  I have chosen to be a believer, and my faith is in God.  I believe he sent his son Jesus to Earth, he lived, he died, and he was raised up on the third day.  I believe his death, the blood he shed on the cross, cleanses me of my sins, which are many.  I'm not proud of that, but despite my faults, I know God loves me, I know he has blessed me far more than I deserve, because I have seen him work in my life too many times, and he continues to use me.  I am convinced I will be spending eternity with him.

Which brings us to this Saturday morning.

I am not going to beat around the bush.  It has been an emotional three or four days.  There have been ups and there have been downs.  I have cried tears of sorrow, and I have cried tears of joy.  I have prayed.  A lot.  I have prayed when I didn't know what to pray for, letting the Spirit intercede for me to the Father, as was promised in Romans 8.  I know in my heart that God is in control, and in all things, His will, his wonderful, perfect will, will be done.

Last week, Janet, wife of my good friend Donnie, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  A very large brain tumor.  Surgery would be necessary, it needed to be soon, and it would be dangerous.  There were no guarantees.  As Donnie and I talked on that Thursday afternoon, we cried.  For eight years, we have been having breakfast together most weeks.  He has helped me put my garden together every spring.  He calls me his brother from another mother.  We are close.

As we talked, he told me he was calling from the men's room just outside the ER at North Alabama Medical Center (NAMC) in Florence.  I was in my favorite chair across the river in Tuscumbia.  He didn't want to talk around the others.  As he related the events of the day, what the neurologist had said, he knew what the possibilities were.  On the other end, I knew what he was saying.  

Surgery for Janet was originally set for Monday but was pushed back to Wednesday morning.  Tuesday evening about six, me and M, Jeff and Janie Walton, Ronnie and Kay Poarch, Jonathan and Lea Snell, along with Paul Newton, Mike Mitchell and Don Snodgrass gathered in Donnie and Janet's living room to pray for the two of them.  Janet was talkative, she was funny, she was her old self, which she hadn't been for a few months.  You see, the unknown was now known, there was nothing to fear.  They knew the surgery, about 15 hours away, would be dangerous, there was a chance of healing, a chance of a stroke and/or paralysis, and a chance she might not make it.  They were ready, they knew Janet was in God's hands and there was no place else she would rather be.

The two of them stood, and the 11 of us stood around them, placing our hands on them as best we could, as Jonathan led us all in prayer.  We hugged them, exchanged words of love and encouragement, and slowly we left, until it was just the two of them and their dog Millie.

Early Wednesday morning I received a text from the wife of my cousin Frank.  Frank and Jan's first born, Sandi, had just given birth to her first child, a girl.  She and her husband Paul were doing well, their baby girl was doing well, prayers of Thanksgiving were offered on their behalf.

Shortly after noon, Jeff Walton called me.  He had heard from Donnie that Janet was out of surgery and in recovery.  All Donnie said was, the doctor said they were able to remove all of the tumor.  M and I smiled, the first preliminary news was good.  Again, we prayed thanking the Father for the positive news.

Later that afternoon, about 5 or so, Donnie called me.  Janet was in ICU, was awake, and responding to commands.  She knew who she was, she knew who Donnie was, and she knew why she was in the hospital.  He said the doctor said the surgery had gone about as well as hoped.  Donnie sounded good as Marilyn and I listened through the speaker of my phone. After he hung up, we prayed again, again tears of joy.

Thursday was not good.  Donnie texted me about 10 after meeting with the surgeon.  A scan showed no bleeding, but there was some swelling, and her speech was a little slurred.  The doctor said the next three days would be critical.  But the last line of his text to me was, "it has exceeded our expectations so far."

The cautious optimism didn't last.  Her condition started slowly going down, she became weak, and lost feeling on one side, she could no longer mover her fingers or toes.  Her speech stopped, she could only nod.  The doctor was called in.  About 3.30, I had another text from Jeff, saying that Janet had indeed had a stroke.  Jeff's note came while I was sitting in my car in the Publix parking lot in Muscle Shoals as M bought groceries.  I was stunned and prayed alone not knowing what to pray for.

I am taking this a little out of context, but the thought fits.  The first few words of Romans 5.6 (NIV) say this, "You see, at just the right time..."

Again, God's timing was perfect, because you see, at just the right time, not three minutes after I received the devastating news about Janet's stroke, I received another text.  This one from Brooke, a 39-year-old mother of two in Pocahontas, Arkansas.  She attended church where M and I did, and for a couple of years was in the college-age/young adult class I taught.  I was always impressed by Brooke's commitment to the Lord, her faith, the way she had given herself over to Christ.  We have stayed in touch, and we continue to encourage each other, as the scriptures say, "building each other up."

A few weeks back, Brooke was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It was devastating to me to hear the news from her, but she stayed positive and put her healing in God's hands.  Her faith was incredible.  She had a PET Scan last week and met with the doctor Thursday afternoon to go over the results.  The results showed her cancer had not spread anywhere in her body.  Nowhere, not even in her lymph nodes was there even a hint of more cancer.  I could almost hear her excited voice as I read the words on my phone.  The sadness I felt less than five minutes earlier, was now replaced with joy and happiness.  I replied that when I received her message, I was shedding tears of sadness, but that now I was shedding tears of joy.  

The timing of her message was not lost on me.  It came at just the right time.  Once again, as if I needed reminding, God demonstrated his perfect timing to me.  Just what I needed as just the right time.

Back to the Shoals and Friday was not a good day for Janet.  The swelling continued, and the family came to the hospital.  As Donnie told me Friday afternoon, "she's hanging on by a toenail."  But hang on she did, she survived the night and Saturday morning, first word of her condition brought more prayers of Thanksgiving.  Her swelling had gone down, she was talking more and moving some.  Her sense of humor had returned.  It was all very encouraging.

As my Alabama friends know, as we continue into the weekend, Janet's condition is still very serious, but after a dark couple of days, Saturday mornings news was welcome, and we gave thanks, as Donnie said, "we can breathe again."  Still our prayers continue without ceasing.

My point in all of this is this, God's timing is perfect.  In my case over the past 72-96 hours, news that was sorrowful, was followed by news of rejoicing.  I don't know if God did that just for me or not.  He may have, but it underscores who is in control.  It is not you or I, the mayor or governor, or President or some other royalty.  God is good all the time, and he is faithful.  Even when he says no to our requests, God is still faithful.  God never fails

I think that is enough preaching for one day.  I hope you understand the spirit in which everything was written.  There are times when some things are on your heart, you just have to share them.  This was one of them.

Be kind to each other.  I love all of you.  Till next time.

July 20, 1969

 It was 56 years ago today, Sunday, July 20, 1969.  I can say with assurance it was a day I will never forget as long as I live.  I remember where I was, what I was doing, almost everything that happened that day.

About one that Sunday afternoon, it might have been 1.30, my friend Jerry Alston and I were dropped off at Camp Wyldewood in Searcy, Arkansas by our mothers.  I don't remember if we left St. Louis on Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning.  It was one or the other when the four of us got in our two-tone blue 1968 Chevrolet Impala and headed south on U.S. 67.  In 1969, with most of the journey being on two-lane roads, the 320-mile journey was about an eight-hour drive.  It was a long trip, passing through towns like Flat River, Cherokee Pass, Poplar Bluff, Walnut Ridge, Oil Trough, Possum Grape and Bald Knob before you reached Searcy.

Fifty-six years later, with numerous road improvements, and 80 to 90 percent of the trip being four-lane, and redesignated as Interstate 57, you can drive the 320 miles in about five and-a-half hours, missing many of the aforementioned towns.

Wyldewood was a church camp.  Parents liked it because it was 13 days.  Nearly two weeks of quiet for the parental units.  Well, sort of, my brother Barry was still at home, still we wouldn't be fighting, so it was quieter.

After we checked in, we made our way to Cabin No. 4, which was on the east side.  Boys on the eastside, girls on the west.  Afterall, this was church camp.  There was a screen door to the cabin, which sat on a stack of rocks in each corner.  It looked safe, but what did I know, I was 12.  Inside there were six, maybe seven, bunk beds.  We were one of the first ones to check in, and both claimed lower bunks.  We met our counselor, whose name I can't remember, but I do remember he was a student at nearby Harding College, where I would attend about six years later.

After unpacking, we headed out to explore as much of the 200-plus acres as we could.  Some paths were off limits unless we had an adult with us.  That was fine with me.  

It was hot and humid that July afternoon.  No surprise, it's always hot in central Arkansas in July, plus at that age, heat never really bothered me.

But there was something else in the air, something that made this day, this July 20, 1969, a day to remember.  A number of kids, me included, were walking around, sitting on a rock or swing, anywhere in the shade to get away from the heat, listening to small transistor radios.  Mine was grey and would fit in my shirt pocket.  It ran on one D-size battery and had a single collapsible antenna that you pulled open or pushed together.  It was AM only.

All of us had found a local radio station that was broadcasting something special, two of the three Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, were mere minutes from landing the Lunar Module, or LEM, as it was officially referred to, on the surface of the moon.   For the first time ever, man was landing on the lunar surface.  I am not exaggerating when I say that literally the entire world was watching and/or listening.  In fact, there were so many kids with transistors listening to the event, I'm not sure those passing by would need one.

Finally, at 3.17p CDT, Sunday, July 20, 1969, we heard these words from Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong.  "Houston, Tranquility Base here.  The Eagle has landed."  All over the camp there were cheers, high fives, whoops and hollers, from 10-year-old kids to camp counselors and directors.   Never, never before in the lifetime of anyone on the planet, had something like this happened.  Ever.

The euphoria eventually died down, until a little after dark.  A little over six hours later, all the campers and counselors were gathered in the mess hall.  Most found a seat, though some stood and some sat on the floor.  We were there for one purpose.  To see men, American astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin, walk on the surface of the moon.  At the head of the room, on one of the dinner tables, the type that have legs that fold underneath them, sat a small, Philco black and white television.  To be generous, the picture was grainy.  Afterall they were broadcasting from over 300,000 miles away.  To add to the lack of clear picture, the small tv had rabbit ears, and trying to find a television channel from Little Rock or Memphis was a bit of a challenge.  It didn't matter, we were witnesses to history.

At 9.56p CDT, the fuzzy outline of a man descending what looked like stairs came into view on the set.  We all tried to get closer to see.  The last step was more of a leap, and there he was, Neil Armstong on the lunar surface.  Do you remember his first words on the surface?  "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.  Truer words were never spoken.

We were transfixed for a couple hours, watching Armstrong, later joined by Aldrin, bounce around on the lunar surface like small goats.  A little over 20 hours later, they re-entered the LEM, and blasted off to join the command vehicle, being piloted by Michael Collins, some 70 miles above the moon's surface.  Following a successful docking, the three headed back to earth, landing in the north Pacific Ocean on July 24, thus fulfilling the challenge of President John F. Kennedy in 1961 of "before this decade is out, (of) landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."

Thus 65 years, seven months and three days after the Wright Brothers first flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, man landed on the moon.  In the movie Apollo 13, Tom Hanks, portraying Astronaut Jim Lovell, was standing outside looking at the moon and said to his wife, "Christopher Columbus, Charles Lindbergh and Neil Armstrong.  We now live in a world where man has walked on the moon."

It was 56 years ago today, and I remember it like it was yesterday.

Be kind to each other this week.  See you down the road.

Freedom of the Press

After several more serious pieces, I had already determined in my mind to write something "lighter" for my next blog.  In fact, while having lunch today with faithful blog reader and good friend Justin McGill, I told him I was going to do just that.

Well, I have changed my mind.

Events over the past 24 hours have made me rethink things.  Having this forum to express my opinions on church, state, baseball, travel, etc., CBS firing of Stephen Colbert yesterday has raised my ire, and to be honest, I am furious about it.

Let me say this first, before I dive into what has me so upset.  I am a 100 pct. believer in freedom of the press.  The U. S. Constitution guarantees it.  Anyone, on any forum or means of communication, should be free to express their own opinion, whether it agrees with the masses or not.  As I once heard, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."  That is how I feel, that is how I have felt sine I was writing for the Ritenour HS newspaper in St. Louis in the 12th grade.  Freedoms, like freedom of the press, are precious and are not to be treated lightly.  They should never, ever, under any circumstances be taken away.  I firmly believe a free press, is one of the things that keeps our government in check (see Richard Nixon).  So yes, I feel very strongly about it.

Ok, down off my soapbox, at least temporarily.

At the start of last (Thursday) night's episode of the Late Show, Colbert announced that on Wednesday, his bosses at CBS had informed him the Late Show would be coming to an end next May.  Not only that, but they would not be replacing him. The decision has been made at CBS or at Paramount, CBS parent company, to get out of the late-night talk show business altogether.  So what started with David Letterman some 30 years ago, and continued with Colbert, was coming to an end.

The timing of this could not be more curious.  In fact, I will offer it doesn't take a second grader to figure out what is going on.

The official release from CBS itself causes most to raise an eyebrow.  It read, "We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable, and will retire 'The Late Show,' franchise at that time."  But here is the interesting part, in the very next paragraph, CBS wrote, "This is purely a financial decision against a challenging back drop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount."

As Col. Sherman Potter used to say on M*A*S*H, "horse hockey."

Earlier today, Rolling Stone magazine, which over the past 10 years has been one of the few outlets not afraid to say what they think or see, wrote, "These two ideas aren’t in complete opposition to one another, but they’re nonetheless getting very different ideas across, as if the people tasked with putting lipstick on this particular pig couldn’t decide which approach was better — or, at least, which was less bad than the other — threw up their hands, and tried both."   Clearly, this is not the Rolling Stone I grew up reading.

Earlier this month, Paramount announced they had settled a lawsuit filed against CBS/Paramount by Donald Trump.  The out-of-court settlement was for $16 million dollars.  The basis of the suit was an interview CBS 60 Minutes did with Presidential nominee Kamala Harris last October.  In the suit, Trump alleged that CBS had wronged him with its editing of the Harris interview.  It should be noted 60 Minutes reached out to President Trump to do an interview.  He declined.

Following the announcement of the settlement, Colbert did not spare his displeasure on his nightly show.  "As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network," Colbert said, "I am offended.  I don't know if anything-anything-, will repair my trust in the company, but just taking a stab at it, I would say $16 million would help."

It's interesting that Colbert pointed out Paramount once called the suit, "completely without merit," before putting a price tag on its dignity, referring to the settlement as a "big fat bribe."

It should be noted Paramount is on the middle of a multi-billion-dollar merger with Skydance Media.  That merger is now before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Are you connecting the dots yet?   Rolling Stone added, " It requires precious little imagination to see the cancellation of Late Show — a decision that its host was blatantly displeased with — as a quid pro quo to get the FCC to approve the merger."

So, you are the head of Paramount.  It's easier to pay $16 million to make a problem go away, than lose billions in a potential merger.  The network of Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Mike Wallace and Dan Rather just said, we would rather cancel this show, silence its host, than jeopardize our merger.  CBS has lost its backbone.

In the end, the viewers of Late Night are the losers, but not the only ones.  Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart fans as well as other similar type shows are wondering if they are next domino to fall.  

We have already seen the White House vent their anger at the Associated Press, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, the Atlantic and now CBS.  Where does it end?  When does it end?  Silencing the press, whether you agree or disagree with what they say or report, violates the constitution and is just wrong.

I've had enough.

Thanks for reading, I apologize for the tone, but do not apologize for what I said.

Be kind to each other.

Christian Nationalism and Related Thoughts

 A few thoughts as we begin on some current hot topics.

1.  I believe separation of church and state is necessary and good for the country

2.  The United States has never been a Christian nation

3.  I think Christian nationalism is a dangerous road to go down

4.  Donald Trump was not selected by God to run this country

Let's look at these topics individually.  As always, these are my opinions, I believe they are well-formed, but if you happen to disagree with them, I have no problem with that.  It would be a difficult world if we all agreed on everything.

There were a number of reasons individuals were fleeing Great Britain to come to the new world.  Certainly, religious freedom was one of the reasons.  Many believed, and had I lived back then, I would have been one of them, that a "state-sponsored church", (i.e. the Church of England), was a roadblock to religious freedom.  They came to America to worship in a way they felt would not infringe on their religious freedom.  

This past week, a well-known talk-show host, whom I never really cared for, was on a podcast hosted by a Catholic priest.  They were discussing the current state of affairs in America, and the role organized religion is playing in it, and what would happen if the United States ceased to exist, because as was mentioned, all countries come to an end, usually by their own doing.  For example, did God have anything to do the fall of Rome, or Babylon, or Persia?  No, he didn't.  So, we ask ourselves, is God playing a role in what is happening today in the United States.

Consider this, if the United States ceased to exist, would God cease to exist?  Of course not.  The aforementioned individual, who I am not mentioning on purpose, so as not to skew perceptions ahead of what they said, offered this thought.  "What frightens me about the separation of church and state, is not what it does to my country, as much as I don't want that to happen, it is what it does to my faith.  It is not (a matter of) getting religion into my politics; it's getting politics into my religion.  So, if you are a Christian nationalist, and the nation fails, what does it say about Christ, what does it say about the message of the Gospel?"

The individual, who is Catholic, went on to say this is not a Catholic nation, because the Catholic church is not about nations.  That is so spot on.  This is not a Church of Christ nation or a Baptist nation, or a Presbyterian nation or a Community Bible church nation.  It is the United States of America, whose citizens of varying faiths, are free to worship in a manner they choose without government mandates or interference.  I believe that is what James Madison had in mind when he wrote the Bill of Rights to the Constitution guaranteeing Freedom of Religion in Article I.

In the past decade or so, we have coined a new word, a new term if you will.  Christian nationalism.  Finding a definition that I could share about gave me a headache.  So many different thoughts on what it means, but I did come across a definition that is easy to understand.  "Christian nationalism is an ideology that seeks to fuse Christian and national identities, advocating a governing system that prioritizes Christian values and seeks to embed them in law and politics."  Sounds familiar doesn't it?  It also sounds a little like something that could get out of control really quick.

Look, if a Christian wants to run for public office, more power to them.  Back in 2002, I ran, unsuccessfully, for mayor of Pocahontas, Arkansas.  In 2002, just like now, I was a person of faith, and if my Christianity helped me get more votes, then so be it.  You see, I have no problem if John Q. Public, a deacon at the Cornerstone Church of Christ, or Pastor at the State Line Freewill Baptist Church decides to run for office.  If they are sincere, I hope they win.  

But it seems like too many, campaigning with a Bible in their hand or cross around their neck are pushing a belief that seems to be America and political affiliation first, and God second.  I don't feel that is compatible with God wishes.  By their own definition, Christian nationalism often challenges the principle of the separation of church and state.  The argument is it is not a strict "legal" requirement, or that government should favor Christianity.

But as we have seen in recent months, there is a belief, whether spoken or inferred, that Christians are the only "true" Americans.  It creates an "us vs. them" mentality.  Think about the country and where it is right now.  I challenge you to think of a more divided period in your lifetime.  In my thinking, I have to go back to the Civil War.

Seriously, is Christian nationalism trying to promote an "anti-Democratic" society?  Is it trying to erode the principles of the separation of church and state, and remake the republic in their image?  More importantly, what does God think about this?  I love the United States, but I love God more and let there be no doubt who I will follow.

Let's be clear and to the point.  God did not appoint Donald Trump to be President of the United States.  To believe otherwise, is wrong.  What God did do is honor our choice.  God would love for all nations to follow him, but that is up to us, because God has given us free will.  We are free to choose to obey him or not.  We are free to choose whether we will tell others about him or not.  We have a free will to make any decision.  But here is the thing, whatever decision we make, God will honor that decision, and whatever that decision is, there will be consequences, which may be good or bad.

The people of the United States elected Donald Trump president, just like we elected Joe Biden and Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and Richard Nixon, all the way back to George Washington.  We went to the polls, cast a vote based on our conscience, and whoever got the most electoral votes won.  Pretty simple.  Again, God has always honored our choices.

What is it God says in Isaiah 55.  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."

I truly believe America is walking a tight rope with this mentality.  Maybe my faith is not where it should be, but I do not see this path we're on ending well at all.  I sincerely hope I am wrong.  Even though I am a Christian and my faith is solid, and I would love to see all people become Believers, it seems to me history tells us, this is not the way to go about things.  Hitting people over the head with a baseball bat, forcing them to accept your way of thinking, your idea of what government should be, will fail.  We are called to plant the seed and let God provide the growth.

I have not written this to change anyone's mind.  If I have, I take no personal pleasure from that, but I am hopeful that perhaps I have made you think.

I love America.  I have loved it for 68 years, one month and 11 days.  I sincerely hope it is around for another 250 years.  But I am worried about the path we are on, I am concerned about our future.

Thank you for spending some time with me and my thoughts.  It is my prayer that I did not offend anyone.  That was not my intent at all.  Let us move forward, love each other, and see how we can best serve each other and our Creator.  I love all of you unconditionally.

Quiet time

 I was up a little before four this morning.  No, I didn't set my alarm that early, there was nowhere I had to be.  But at my age, my bladder determines when I get up.  Some mornings I am able to go back to bed and get a couple more hours of sleep.  Not always.  This morning I decided to stay up.  So, I have made coffee and am sitting at the keyboard recording my thoughts.

I love this time of day, the quiet, when most of the world is still sleeping.  It is peaceful, non-chaotic.  Sitting in our library with the laptop, I hear an occasional vehicle drive by.  I can see Hwy. 72 as it makes its way through Tuscumbia.  It is mostly quiet.  Even the birds aren't up yet.

There are other reasons I like this time of day, but I guess the primary reason is early in the morning, I feel closer to God.  I know I am not alone in this.  I have heard others say similar things.  But there are no distractions, no interferences, nothing really, except refilling my coffee cup that can interfere with my time with the Father.

It is not just prayer time, though that is a huge part of it, it is time to reflect on the blessings in my life, which are many.  It is time to reflect on life, yes, take inventory of my weaknesses.  Where have I recently failed, how can I be a better husband, a better father, a better son, a better friend, a better Christian example and encouragement to those I meet and those I am already close to.

I have a mental list of everyone I need to pray for.  That includes me.  I'll be honest, I need to write this list down. I know that God knows what is on my heart, but when I pray, I need to say these names out loud.  Let them leave my lips and proceed to Go's ears.  I have paused for a moment to write names down.  Just writing is a good reminder of what I need to do.

My mother and stepfather are continually on my mind.  Seemingly every waking hour of every day.  They are both 88 and will be 89 this fall.  Health is an issue for both of them, and it affects their quality of life.  The time is coming, quicker than they would like, when changes are going to have to be made. 

It has been a tough couple of weeks.  I am not going to mention names for obvious reasons but two friends, both under 50, one under 40, have been diagnosed within the past two weeks with breast cancer.  That has upset me.  I am not ashamed to say when the second one contacted me earlier this week to tell me about her diagnosis, I cried.

I have another friend whose spouse is fighting depression big time.  I wish I could do more, b I can't, so for now, I just lift them up in prayer.  As I contemplate them this morning, I do wonder what else I can do.

Another friend had a complete meltdown yesterday and is at a loss as to why life has turned out the way it has, why it just seems out of control, and they can't stop it.  Sometimes you just want to hug somebody so much and remind them to trust God, that he is in control and that he never fails.  We talked a long time, and they were on my mind when I woke up this morning.

Paul said he was "chief among sinners."  I know what he means.  There are times when I feel so detached from where I need to be in my life, I think, "I know better."  It was also Paul who wrote in Romans 7 (I love, love Romans), "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do.  This I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I don't want to do, it is no longer I who do it but it is sin living in me that does it."

I am so grateful for that thought.  I wrote in my last blog about how much I admire Paul.  He was a sinner.  I am a sinner.  I can't escape that.  But my quiet time, my daily time of reflection and prayer helps me deal with who I am and where I am in life.

I know most of you who read this have a daily quiet time, or study time.  Certainly, a time of prayer, and I applaud that.  Just let me encourage you to continue your time of reflection and time with the Father.  We need it more than we need coffee.

We are not perfect people, but we do serve a perfect God.

It's now 5.20.  Thank you for being a part of my quiet time today.

Have a great Friday, be kind to each other. 

My 25 favorite individuals from the Bible

 As you know. I have been going to church my whole life.  For all of those 68 years, as Patrick Mead would say, "my tribe." has been the Church of Christ (COC).  That is where my parents went, their parents, most of my aunts and uncles.  For all of my growing up, I was surrounded by those who attended church regularly, whether it was the COC, or a different faith such as the Baptist, Catholic, Christian Church, or whatever.  (Side note, for the record, I have never believed the COC are the only ones going to heaven.  That is absurd on many levels.  But that is another blog for another day.)  All of those individuals played a role in shaping me to who I am today, which I believe, is a man who loves God, has a solid faith in him, Christ and the Spirit, and who believes Christ will at some point return.

I try to be kind, thoughtful, put God first in all things, lover my neighbors and my enemies, to try and always do God's will in all things.  But like you I fail, I am not perfect, have never claimed to be perfect.  I totally rely on God's grace to get to Heaven.  Without His grace, I am just wasting my time.

When I read the Bible, I read about individuals who are like you and me.   Characters who sometimes do great things, but at times do things that anger God, or at the very least show poor judgment.  Yeah, that sounds a lot like me a lot.  Yet, despite their faults, their shortcomings, God used them, in many different ways.

The 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament (OT) and 27 in the New Testament (NT) are full of these stories about individuals, who fit the descriptions I just wrote about.  I've been going to church long enough, been studying the Bible long enough to have an idea of who my "favorite" individuals of the Bible are.  I am going to name 25 here, I could easily do more, but think I'll stop at 25, and tell a little about each individual.  Perhaps some of these are your favorites as well.

For the purposes of this list, I did not include the obvious, God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.

1. David - Not surprised are you.  God described David as a "man after his own heart."  Yet David committed adultery with Bathsheba and conspired to have her husband Urriah killed.  Yet God forgave David and blessed him.  Some of the psalms David wrote are heartbreaking in their sincerity.  Davd was truly a broken man, (read Psalm 51), which is where God wants us.

2. Moses - Another Old Testament.  There are a lot of people in this world who have a much better knowledge of the scriptures that I do.  But it seems to me Moses had a relationship with God that no one else had.  Moses argued with God, he challenged him.  I keep thinking of Moses demanding that God show himself on the mountain, and God did.  Sort of.  God had Moses hide his face in the cleft of the rock and then turn around as he passed.  Wow.

3. Luke - I like Luke for a couple of reasons.  As you know, he wrote two NT books, Luke and Acts, that are accounts of Christs and the apostles.  Luke was a learned, educated individual, being a physician.  His books are written in a way that shows his intelligence, because they are detailed.  As a writer, I like that.  He was also a friend to Paul when Paul needed one.

4. Hannah - Samuel's mother.  She prayed for a son and promised to give him to God if God answered her prayer.  He did, and she did.  Hannah presented Samuel at the temple at a young age, where he studied, learned, and became a great prophet.  A woman of faith.

5.-7. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - I put these three on here for one reason. In the book of Daniel we read how the three young Hebrew men, who were in Babylonian captivity, refused an edict from King Nebuchadnezzar, and refused to bow down to a golden statue erected by the king.  The king was furious and ordered the three thrown in a fiery furnace.  Before they were tossed in, the three replied as recorded in Daniel 3, "if we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your Gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."  The words "even if he does not," still resonate today as rock solid words of faith.  Our God is indeed faithful.

8. James - Not Big James or Little James, but James, the half-brother of Christ, who was not a believer at first, but over time he became a follower of Christ and would become one of the leaders of the NT church, particularly the church in Jerusalem.  His NT book, "James," is still a model for living a Christian life

9. Peter - Peter, oh our Peter.  Part of Christ' inner circle with James and John, Peter is known just as much for his failures as he is everything else.  He tried walking on water, the night before the Crucifixion, he grabbed a sword while in the Garden of Gethsemane and cur the ear off a servant.  Hours later, he denied knowing Jesus three times.  After he was raised from the dead, Christ asked Peter three times, "Peter, do you love me?"  Each time Peter said yes.  He was redeemed by Christ and later preached what is often referred to as the first Gospel sermon on the Day of Pentecost.  

10.  Joseph, son of Jacob - Joseph was on my list of 25, but when I asked M who her favorite was, she immediately said "Joseph."  A favorite of his father Jacob, he was not a favorite of his 10 older brothers, who conspired to kill him.  They sold him instead to a group heading to Egypt, where he was sold into slavery.  You know the story from there, God never abandoned him, and eventually he became the second-most powerful person in Egypt behind Pharoah.  He also reunited with his family, including his father, and his descendants settled in Egypt.  But that is another story.

11. Esther - One of the great women of the Bible, Queen Esther, a Hebrew, was the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia.  One of the kings' officials wanted to do away with all the Hebrews because he felt they were not showing proper respect to the king since they refused to bow down.  The king agreed and ordered them to be put to death.  But Esther's cousin Mordecai, asked Esther to appeal to the king, which could be a dicey situation.  Mordecai said to Esther, "Who knows that you have come to your royal position for a time such as this."  The King listened to his Queen and granted her request

12. John - One of the original 12 apostles, a fisherman, he and his brother James were among the first to be called by Christ and would become part of Jesus inner-circle.  He would write the gospel of John, three letters (1, 2, 3 John), and the book of Revelation.  The only one of the 12 apostles to die a natural death, John was a man of love and wrote frequently and passionately we all need to love one another.

13. Barnabas - My brother suggested I not forget Barnabas.  I hadn't, in fact he was one of the first ones I thought of, because I try to be a Barnabas every day.  Barnabas was a frequent companion of Paul on his missionary journeys, though they split over taking Barnabas younger cousin John Mark on one of their trips.  Barnabas took John Mark, encouraging him and they continued to preach the gospel.  Always the encourager, spurring the saints to greater things, encouraging them to stay faithful.

14. Paul - I'm not sure anyone in the Bible had a greater transformation than Paul.  A Pharisee, Saul, as he was then known, approved of the killing of Christians for preaching the Messiah (Christ).  We know he was present at the stoning of Stephen.  But it was on the road to Damascus, where God got Saul's attention, striking him blind for three days, asking, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"  Like many individuals, Paul realized he was wrong in his opinions of what God wanted him to do and was baptized by Ananias before he left Damascus.  He spent the rest of his life traveling, preaching, spreading the good news, eventually being martyred in Rome for being a follower of Christ.  Some were skeptical at first, but Paul completed the race, eventually writing nearly half the NT.

15.-16. - Naomi and Ruth - I thought seriously about separating these two but decided against it.  Naomi was Ruth's mother-in-law.  Naomi's two sons are killed, and she tells her two daughters-in-law, they are free to go back to their home.  The other goes, but Ruth refuses and in an act of selflessness, says she will stay with Naomi, saying "your people will become my people."  While in Bethlehem Naomi is instrumental in introducing Ruth to Boaz, a close relative.  Naomi took care of her daughter-in-law, setting up her meeting of Boaz.  Ruth was faithful to Naomi, vowing never to leave her.  So much can be learned from the actions of these two women.

17. Urriah - I mentioned Urriah earlier when talking about David.  Urriah was a leader in David's Army and when it was revealed Bathsheba was pregnant with David's child, David called Urriah back and encouraged him to "lay" with his wife.  Urriah refused on two occasions David's encouragement, saying he could not do that while his men were fighting.  The Bible never tells us if Urriah was aware of what happened between his wife and David.  But what we do see is a man of integrity who regularly put others first.

18. Joshua - The chosen heir to Moses to lead the Hebrew Nation.  Remember when Moses sent 12 men as spies into the land of Canaan?  Only two, Joshua and Caleb, came back and told Moses they could take the land, which they did.  A great leader, Joshua uttered the phrase, "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

19. Philemon - We don't read much about Philemon in the NT.  Paul's letter to him is the shortest of his letters, but it is poignant.  At one point Philemon has a slave named Onesimus, who escapes and eventually crosses paths with Paul.  Through Paul's teaching, Onesimus becomes a Christian, and begins working with Paul.  Paul, would love for him to stay, but knowing the history of Onesimus, he writes this letter "with his own hand," and sends the letter and Onesimus back to Philemon asking Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ, adding if he owes anything to "charge it to me."  We don't read of Philemon's reaction, but the charge in Paul's words and the fact this book is included in the Bible tell us all we need to know about Philemon and forgiveness.

20.  Esau - Speaking of forgiveness, we come to Esau.  When I mentioned I planned on including Esau, M raised an eyebrow.  I'll tell you what I told her.   Esau, who earlier had traded his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew, was wronged when his younger brother Jacob tricked their aging father Isaac and received his blessing.  Esau was outraged and vowed to kill Jacob.  Jacob fled.  Many years later, the two brothers agreed to meet.  Jacob was apprehensive about the meeting, but the two did meet.  The scriptures tell us, "Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him, and they wept."  Esau had forgiven Jacob.

21. Unknown woman who touched Jesus - In the gospel of Mark we read about a woman, who is not named.  She was suffering from bleeding and had been for 12 years.  When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him and touched his cloak thinking, "if I just touch his clothes, I will be healed" Scripture tells us Christ immediately felt the power leave him when she touched his cloak from behind and asked, "who touched me?"  His apostles said, "in this crowd, you asked who touched you?"  But Jesus kept looking, and the woman, now knowing that Jesus was looking for her, came forward, fell at his feet and told him her story.  Jesus looked at her and said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."  I love stories of faith.

22. Hosea - I was telling my friend Paul Cartwright about this blog as I was writing it, and he offered, "you have to include Hosea."  He was right, as I was choosing my "25 Favorites," Hosea had crossed my mind.  More than any other prophet, Hosea linked his message closely with his personal life. By marrying a woman, he knew would eventually betray his trust and by giving his children names that sent messages of judgment on Israel, the book of Hosea makes clear its repetitious theme: though God will bring judgment on sin, He will always bring His people back to Himself. 

23. Joseph, husband of Mary, earthly father of Jesus - I think about Joseph often.  We read much about how God chose Mary to be Christ' mother, but precious little about Joseph.  How tough was it for him, knowing everything he did, knowing who Jesus was, when everyone else assumed Jesus was his son.  Matthew tells us of angels appearing to Joseph and we know at one point; Jesus is referred to as being the "carpenter's son."  But after losing Jesus in Jerusalem and finding him in the temple at the age of 12, we read nothing more about Joseph.  We read nothing of him in Jesus' adult life.  I wonder what happened, how did Jesus look at Joseph?  Did he think of Joseph in those last days? We know he had other sons, two of which, James and Jude, authored NT books.  But he just disappears.

24. Rahab - A resident of Jericho, the Bible says she was a harlot, another name for a prostitute.  But she was a woman of faith and is remembered as such.  When men of the army of Jericho came to her home looking for two Hebrew spies, she denied they were there and let them search her home where she had hidden them on the roof.  The pair were not found, and she told them she knew they were part of the group that worshipped the one true god.  All she asked for was protection for her and her family.  Her request was granted, and she and her family were spared Jericho's fall.  Because of her belief and her faith in God, she is also mentioned in the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11.

25.  Jonathan - I began my list with David, and I end it with Jonathan, his best friend.  I think of the friendships I have had over my 68 years, and I am not sure I have had a friendship that rivals the friendship David and Jonathan had.  They saved each other's life, including Jonathan saving David from his father Saul, who wanted him dead.  Jonathan would eventually die in battle alongside his father.  I cherish the friendships I have.  Ken, Allison, Donnie, Amanda, Lori, Will, Paige, Jeff, Justin, Tiffany, Scott, Linda, just to name a few.  I hope my friendships are as solid as the friendship of David and Jonathan.

You have my 25 of my favorite individuals from the Bible.  I thought about, but did not include Jeremiah, Elijah, Isaac, Eunice, Timothy, Deborah and Mary Magdalene and others.  Perhaps they are on your list.  Just think what you have learned

Thank you for reading and for your encouragement.  Be kind to each other and have a great week.

BBQ

It really doesn't matter what you call it, grilling, barbequing, cooking out, any time you are outside and can fire up the pellet grill, the propane, the Egg, the Weber, or just a grill between layers of bricks, the food, specifically the meat, is always better when it is cooked over an open flame.  Can I get an amen on that?

As you know, today is the Fourth of July.  A day for getting together with family, cooking out, shooting fireworks, giving thanks for the land we live in, watching the Fourth Gala on the Mall in Washington DC, or Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops.  The Fourth is never dull or boring and is full of tradition.

My Grandpa Dalton, who I have introduced you to in this spot previously, will have a birthday on Saturday.  If he were still alive, he would be 113.  He died when I was 15, in February of 1973.  He was 60.  Gone way too soon.  Like I mentioned in my Father's Day blog about how much I miss my dad, I miss my Grandpa Dalton as well.  I was the first grandchild and got to spend a lot of time around he and Granny in my younger days.  He was the one who instilled a love of baseball in me, so blame him, and he also taught me how to grill, or as we would say, barbecue.  I don't want to leave Dad out, because he was a prolific griller as well.

One of my favorite memories of my grandpa is sitting with him in his backyard on a hot, sunny, Sunday afternoon after church.  He would still have on his dress pants and shoes, but having removed his dress shirt, he wore a white, tank-top t-shirt.  He had a grill that needed charcoal, and he always had that fire going in no time.  He had the patience to let the coals get just right before putting the meat du jour on the grill.  There was no cover, and the grill on which you placed your hamburgers or steaks, would spin around, so you really didn't have to get up.  While all of this was going on, we would be listening to Jack Buck and Harry Caray broadcasting Cardinal baseball on KMOX.  He always had a portable radio handy so he could listen to ball games.

One thing I failed to mention, while we were waiting for the coals to get hot, we would head back inside and make the BBQ sauce.  He and Granny never bought BBQ sauce, he always made it, and I learned how to make my own sauce, which I still do at times, by watching grandpa.  I always loved sticking a finger in the sauce to make sure it was alright.

After Grandpa died, Dad did all the grilling, though Barry and I would do some. On the Fourth, it seemed like Mom and Dad's friends, Don and Ann Staggs and their daughter Paige, and Bob and Mona Childs. and their daughter Lisa would always come over.  They were our extended family, and it was great having them over.

One safety tip if you are contemplating, or perhaps already have bought fire works for the kiddos.  Don't be like Barry and I.  I can remember several Fourth of July celebrations where, once it got dark, the fireworks came out and the real fun began.  We always had several dozen bottle rockets, which we may or may not have fired at each other.  Sometimes we would just put them in the Coke bottle, light the fuse and run.  We also had Roman Candles, and I can remember Barry and I having Roman Candle fights.  We would be on opposite sides of the yard, each of us holding a trash can lid as a shield and firing Roman Candles at each other.  It is a wonder we didn't hurt each other, or burn each other, or the yard up.  Our Guardian Angels got battle pay and overtime on the Fourth.

Well, we have talked about grilling, so thought I would finish out the blog discussing my favorite cuts of meat and what I most enjoyed consuming.

Pork Steaks - Kind of like gooey butter cake and toasted ravioli, pork steaks are primarily a St. Louis thing, and for the life of me, I have no idea why.   True story, M and I moved to the Shoals in the fall of 2014.  A few years later, not long after the Publix in Muscle Shoals opened, I was there looking for pork steaks.  I didn't see any.  The butcher, a young man around 30 or so, saw me staring frustratingly at the meat counter.  He asked if he could help me and I responded he could.  I told him I was looking for pork steaks, but didn't see any.  He said he wasn't sure what those were.  I explained they were from the pork shoulder (butt) and sliced into steaks.  He still wasn't familiar with them but said he would slice some for me.  He asked how many I wanted and how thick.  I told him what I wanted, and he said, "ok, give me 15 minutes."  I like my pork steaks with a sweet, smoky sauce.

Ribs - Who doesn't love ribs, I mean seriously.  When I am eating ribs, baby backs are my rib of choice, I feel like Cro-Magnon man when I am eating them, or Carnivore Man.  It doesn't matter if they are dry (no sauce), or wet (with sauce).  Ribs are ribs and I love them.  About 40 years ago, I was in a rib-eating contest at a BBQ establishment in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.  Actually, now that I think about it, it wasn't a contest, but an "all-you-can-eat" night.  There were about 15 or so of us on our way to Spring Sing at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.  The establishment lost money on our group.  I actually ate 24 ribs and came in third place, beaten out by my friends Cliff Eatherly and Jeff Richardson.  It was epic.

Pulled pork - Pulled pork is exactly what it says, pork pulled off the bone.  Some restaurants will then finely chop it, while others just leave it in chunks.  I prefer the latter.  I have had pulled pork everywhere from Hawaii to the Czech Republic, and the pulled pork at OK Corral in Muscle Shoals is some of the finest I have tasted.  They also have incredible slaw.  You know, if I were running the country, I would sign an Executive Order mandating slaw must be put on every pulled pork sandwich.  Their pulled pork comes with slaw and their own barbecue sauce on the side. I love their slaw but will pass on their sauce.  Too runny and vinegary for my taste.  As I said earlier, I like my sauce sweet, smoky and thick.

Brisket -  A well-smoked brisket is like a symphony in your mouth.  It just melts like M and M's.  Shaffer Meats, up in Ethridge, Tennessee, just north of Lawrenceburg, has some of the best brisket around.  It is like being back in Texas.  Now, I do not want sauce on my brisket, well, maybe just a little on the side. I have actually driven the 60 miles up there on more than one occasion just to buy a couple pounds of their brisket.  I have to thank Rick Hamm for enlightening me about this place.

Pork loin - My brother Barry, my brother-in-law Stan Dauck, and old friend Steve Hatch all love smoking meats.  Low and slow is the saying when smoking.  Stan smokes pork loin with great regularity, and I must say, they are quite good.   The process of smoking is somewhat different than grilling, and barbecue sauce is definitely foreign to a properly smoked pork loin.  It just doesn't need it.  Smoking takes time, and the meat has to be babied, but it is so worth it.

Hamburgers, hot dogs and brats - What Fourth of July feast and celebration would be complete without these three classics.  Go ahead and admit, there is something special about a hamburger grilled over mesquite, or cherry or oak or applewood charcoal or pellets.  You know, even if you are grilling pork steaks or something else, it never hurts to throw a few hot dogs or brats on there to cook.  You'll be glad a few days later when you're eating a couple of them for lunch you did.  I've been to a couple of Cardinal games on the Fourth, and having a smoked brat at the ballpark almost brings tears to your eyes.

Corn-on-the-cob - I love grilled corn on the cob.  The smoky aroma just enhances the corn.  Cooked with the husks still protecting the corn, or naked with the husks pulled back, grilled corn-on-the-cob is a culinary treat.  You'll thank me later you tried it.

I plan up the Pit Boss pellet grill and grilling some pork steaks for M and I this afternoon, lathering some Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet and Smoky sauce on right before they come off the grill.  We will probably have some potato salad and beans to go with it.

I hope you have opportunity to do some grilling or barbecuing; whatever you want to call it this July Fourth.  Enjoy the process, and enjoy time spent with family and friends.   Thanks for spending a few minutes with me on this holiday.  Be safe and be nice to each other.