Lessons From An Oyster

I learned something today ( no smart comments , OK ? ) ...ever wonder how an oyster

"gets to market " or "becomes marketable" ?

An oyster starts its life as microscopic larvae called "spat". Cool name , huh , "spat" !

Within 2 weeks of the "spat" leaving the home oyster bed it grows a shell & sinks to the bottom.

A powerful foot enables it to crawl around & eventually attach itself to a hard clean surface , known as a "culch".

It expels a cement - like material & rolling over , presses its left shell into the bottom & therefore gives up any further movement. From that location in the oyster bed , it stays for 2 to 5 years when it becomes "marketable".

Not much different w/ us is it, really ?

We start our lives as microscopic beings...grow & develop over time & hopefully , one day...become "marketable".

How do we reach the "market" ??

Hopefully we find our place after "wandering around" for some time period & " anchor down" to the Foundation , where we give up our independent movement & become "marketable."

How long does the process take ? That is the million dollar question. It certainly varies w/ individuals & the conditions w/ which they exist.

That is not for us to determine however...we are to pursue "developing" in our own location by being anchored to the Foundation & letting Him feed us more & more etc.

I trust that you are anchored to the Foundation to grow...just as the oyster must be to become "marketable". Settle down & settle in ...allow Him to feed & nourish you some you may someday...attain "marketability."

Phillipians 2:12-13

Merry Christmas...( Just Don't Drag Me Into It )

I wish I could claim that phrase as my own..but I can't !


It hits on so many angles that I thought it was worth trying to "blog" about since it has been months that I have written anything.

What is w/ people & X-mas ...why can't it be Christ-x ?

Do people that don't celebrate the birth of our Savior ( on that day ) go to work if they have the day off ?

If you want to celebrate other "holidays" or Festivus that's fine....why does mine have to take all the "P.C." hits ?

Why do folks get all worked up over the secular but don't give a flip about the spiritual ?

Take the time this Christ-x to "induldge" in the spiritual miraculous birth of our Savior....& induldge in the joy of friends & family too.....because you see:

" It came w/o ribbons ! It came w/o tags ! It came w/o packages or boxes or bags " ! And he puzzled & puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something that he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more."

You see even the Grinch "got it" !!!

Merry Christ-x !

" Urgency & Redemption " .......# 54

My son & I are HUGE Game Day fans.....can't wait for college football to start ! But that is a minor issue today.

There has been a tragic loss @ Sullivan South High School. Senior Jake Logue passed away during a game Friday night w/ Knox. West.

I didn't know Jake nor do I know his family , although we have had two that graduated from SSHS.

The outpouring of the community is overflowing.....as well as I am sure , questions from all kinds of folks that have been touched by this tragic event.

I am not here to answer questions......I feel heavy hearted like most of you..........but obviously Jake impacted many lives.......he spread the Gospel.


I am here to tell you what I do know is true:
That Jesus Christ is Lord of ALL.....He wants to save you from an eternity seperated from Him. He wants you to spend eternity w/ Him. There are only two choices......

Lee Corso says it best perhaps: "A sense of urgency & redemption"..............

But you must not forget dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord & a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return as some people think . No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish , so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.

2 Peter 3:8-9

" The " Genuine Article

I remember ( barely ) , my high school days & sporting a pair of Levi's 501's the Genuine Article as the ads used to say. Nothing could compare to the fit & durability of the ol' 501's.

Makes me ask the question: What happened to the "genuiness" of people today ? We live in a world of quick fixes for this & short cuts for that & surgery to fix Lord knows what all......is anything genuine anymore ?

I really am enjoying the new car ads.....since the economy has slowed , the car dealers have scrapped "the dog & pony" show ads for ones of sincerity , in which the music is slower & more mellow & they promise reward cards & as always they have your best interest @ heart ! Whatever !

What about our beloved TV evangelists ( not all , by any means ! ) that promise you your destiny for "sewing your faith seed" & mailing in for a prayer cloth for a small offering of course ?

Furthermore , how about the "Fairy Tales" that our beloved government & elected officials promise us ??? Give me a break..................

Are ya' just sick & tired of "plastic-isity" ( new word !) ?? Lookin' for the real deal , something authentic , The Genuine Article ??

What about Jesus ....the Original ,who was & is & forever shall be ?? He is the real deal , the 501 that promise peace that passes all understanding. He doesn't promise " quick fixes " or " short cuts " , BUT He does promise a transformation or "surgery" like no other !

Try Him on today if you don't know Him as your Lord & Savior.......I promise , He will not "fade away" like that old pair of 501's !!!

John 14:6

I am the Way , the Truth & the Life......no one can come to the Father , except through Me.

"Lookin' for Inspiration"

That is just exactly what I was asked the other day. A friend of my wanted to know when I was going to do another blog & told me that he was looking for inspiration ! Scary....!

I have thought about it since , & I wonder where do we look for inspiration ?

Is it in activities? I know that being an "obsessed' runner that I often find inspiration while running , especially when I see someone that may be handicapped etc.

Is it w/ people ? Do you find inspiration in others ? Often folks give us comfort & joy.

Is it in your job ? Some find inspiration through helping others in their jobs.

What about church ? Are you looking for inspiration there? A song , sermon ,a particular pastor ?

The list goes on & on as I know there are things that inspire each of us differently.

Make your own list...think of things that inspire you or how you may be an inspiration to others.

Heaven forbid....it may be your own blog !

Acts 2:28; You have made known to me the path of life;You will fill me w/ joy in Your presence .

THANK- YOU !!

Monday is Memorial Day....I am in the majority of looking foward to a day of relaxing & grilling. The MAJORITY ( myself included ) seldom mentions or thinks about the reason that we observe the Holiday.

I have not spent one day in military service....I am not so sure that maybe all men should have to serve , but that opens "cans" that I don't want to open !

Just think perhaps of all of the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. We even have the freedom to express our views even if we don't like a particular freedom !

Having freedoms & a sense of security in this country is due largely to the sacrifice of our veterans & their families both past & present.

So regardless of where you stand on the present situation.....thank a soldier. Remember the sacrifices they are making for us. Maybe for an added benefit you know a WW II vet ..they are about all departed from us , but if you get the opportunity , you can enjoy a history lesson like no other !!

So SOLDIERS........THANK -YOU !!! & may He protect you & guide your ways.................

Boston Re-Visited & Mom's

I warned you last time.....Boston Part 1 ( Maybe)...well I ain't through yet ! !

I promise these are the last few "Observations" from Boston !

I like "OSHA safety meetings" better in Boston than any safety training that I have EVER attended. ( See pic or look @ Article in Boston issue of Runner's World about Bill Rogers)

I missed my mark there , but you know what ? It was an experience of a lifetime !! Bucket list Stuff !!

I saw tons of inspiration out there...single amputees , double amputees , wheel chair athletes & even blind runners.....you know what ? Ain't many excuses to alot of folks !

Finally...I am thankful that I was able to participate....BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE !

Now for a change of subject matter ( thank goodness , some of you are saying ! )

I mentioned last time that support was huge for me......let me tell you about my #1 supporter.

The lovely lady w/ me in the pic is my wife of 24 years. She is my best friend & life partner. She has been w/ me though thick & then , good times & bad.

She has weathered the loss of her father when she was 13 & her mother passed away 5 years ago. She has been by my side through testicular cancer , job losses & changes & sometimes poor judgement.

She is a MOTHER of the highest calling to our two young adults ( now ! ) & is a compassionate , persistent , resilient woman.

She is a lover of the LORD JESUS , people , her children , her dogs & sometimes even me ! She is a worker , a great runner & a "zero to redneck in about 5 seconds" girl if deemed necessary ! She is just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside.

I am blessed beyond measure to be married to her & I am thankful that we "keep on trying" even after the tough days & arguments ! As I have been known to say..." I defintely out -punted my coverage !"

So thank -you Denise for loving me....through all the crap & more.....you ARE my favorite "Runnin' Mom" !!!!

I LOVE YOU !!!!! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!

Proverbs 31:10-12; Who can find a virtuous & capable wife ? She is worth more than precious rubies. Her husband can trust her & she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him but help him all of her life.