Friday, March 27, 2009

Shopper's MI-5

I’ve been shopping a lot this week, so this week’s 5 is inspired by several of the stores I have been to:

TJ MAXX – I have no idea what the “TJ” in TJ Maxx stands for. Do know of someone who goes by his/her initials, instead of his/her full name? What is their full name? Why do they prefer initials? Tell us a little bit about this person. I think it might stand for Tijuana (Mexico) where much of their apparel is produced. BTW; I'm not knocking it, we clothed three kids through school there. I know two individuals who go by "T" and they do not have the same first name. I don't know why ... I suppose I should ask.

TARGET – Tell us a story about target practice, hunting, or some sort of “shooting” activity. I haven't done much target shooting because my wife hates guns. But I found it interesting that the Greco-Roman world used a word for "sin" which also meant "missing a target".

DOLLAR TREE – What’s the best bargain going nowadays? Is there anything you buy that is really only $1.00 (or less)? A "Dollar Tree" ... we might start a frenzy saying those words during these times. NO, I don't know of anything I buy that costs only a dollar these days. And it seems like prices just keep getting higher. O-O-O-H ! I'm feeling old right now.

BIG LOTS – What would your perfect house lot look like? Would it be big? Smaller, with less lawn care? Water feature? Stone wall? Fenced in yard? Wooded? Well, I had it once ... that is, a lot (and eventually a house) that was "just like I wanted". Funny how fleeting satisfaction with 'things' can be. Our perfect homestead once was totally covered by two feet of flood water. We later learned that civil engineers who designed the storm drains had a liquid lunch the day they worked on our street. Massive rain water didn't seem to want to run uphill ... H-m-m-m.

WENDY’S – When you have an “all-day” excursion planned, do you prefer to sit down and eat a meal at a restaurant, or do you prefer a drive-through type experience in order to save more time for other activities? I like to sit and relax for a nice meal - even when I have other things planned. Never been much for fast food joints. Most of that food gives me the "coli-wobbles". That's my mother's word for a stomach ache. I would rather save four trips to Mickey-D's for one meal at Primo. NOW THAT'S LIVIN !!

Monday, March 23, 2009

O-A-E-E-Y-E-A-A-A BOY!








What an awesome day!
The people of Harmony Bible church out-did themselves. Over 50 families came to enjoy a day of fun, laughter, good eats and great music. At the end of a long winter and in the midst of economic difficulties that's a WONDERFUL thing!

I can't hope to say "thanks" to every single person that had a part in this event. Although I have begun thanking everyone I can. That started with the seniors of HBC. These folks gave it their all! No doubt they left that place in pain. Sitting on steel chairs with no padding, or standing on the hardwood floor for hours will tax the most fit. And these folks endured it for the sake of reaching out to people with the love of Jesus.

And then there is the teenagers. I continue to be amazed at how the youth of America are so responsive to opportunities to help others. It was not that way when I was a teen. Truthfully, we were WAY too selfish for that! But what I'm seeing these days is a beautiful thing.


We never know the full extent of such efforts. Sometimes we see new faces at church functions, but I'm convinced most of the results are less obvious than that. At the very least, this kind of reaching out communicates to people of the community that we care. Frankly, some people don't know how to respond to that. They just know how it makes them feel. AND IT FEELS GOOD!