Well, its good to be back home after a few days away working. Its much better to be home and see how really blessed i am. There is so much to see out in the real world when you have opportunities to go inside people's homes. Its tragic to see some of the situations i encounter and know it does not have to be this way. There is a large segment of our people choosing to live in conditions that are deplorable and could be changed only if they desired to do something about it. I am convinced that some of these are not worthy of being helped, they only want more from the government. When you see three adults in a household between the ages of 22 and 35 and they only have a chair and a couch as furniture ( no table to eat at or chairs) but all three are chain smoking and have cell phones and are not working anywhere, i find it difficult to have any remorse. Or what about the household of seven people who have no beds but sleep on the floor. I arrived at 10:00 am and they were all still in bed. The pads they were sleeping on had to be moved so i could get in the living room. There was the husband, wife and three teen age sons and two small children ten. Why were the menfolk still in bed at this time of day when they could be doing some kind of work to supplement the $600 dollar a month that is from the Govt. Sure they are disapointed that they don't receive more. Friends, my eyes have been opened the past three years to a major problem that exist in our nation and its only going to get worse. These two cases are just a drop in the bucket of what is out there. I do want to mention one that is worthy and this young lady was so special. She is a young mentally handicapped person who was living in a very clean, well furnished small home. She has no transportation but works 25 hours a weed doing janitorial work. She brings hone $186.00 dollars every 2 weeks which helps to supplement the $550.00 she receives from the Govt. each month. She did not understand some of the questions i ask so i let her read with me what was on the laptop. I must say again, i admired this person because she is doing something to make her life much better. When i got back to my vehicle, i had to thank God that she was OK and that he would continue to bless her.

Yes i believe very strongly that there are people out there who need our help and are deserving of it. I just ask God that i don't be too harsh in my judgements, but to give me the compassion to recognize those who are not just seeking a free ride.

Today, while at the vets office getting my toenails trimed i read this quote on the wall by a man named Kingsley.

We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements to really make us happy, when all we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.

This really made me stop and think about things that i am enthusiastic about. There are things that i really feel good about and support. My love for God, Christ and the church stand out as more important to me than comfort or luxury. My love for family runs deep even though i fail to show it much of the time. We get so involved in things that are not so important which cause us to neglect the things that are most important.

I also thought of this area of my life that i am extremely enthusiastic about. The latest Insight publication from Central Arkansas Christian Schools highlights my feelings about things taking place that are most important to me. Dr. Carter Lambert related this incident that took place earlier this year.

The Honorable Patrick Hays, mayor of North Little Rock was on our campus recently. The city issued a proclamation naming March 10 CAC Mustangs Day in honor of our girls basketball team successfully defending their state championship and being named the over-all top girls team in the state. Mayor Hays asked for a list of other co-curricular and academic accomplishments that he could recognize during the ceremony. After reading the list, he commented that he knew of no other school in the state that could point to such a high standard of excellence among its students. He indicated that this must be an exceptional year. I jokingly him that I disagreed--excellence at CAC isn't exceptional, it is expected.
At CAC, we have high expectations for our faculty and students. We expect them to model the Christian values of respect and love for each other, sacrificial hard work and preparation, and a desire to do their best as they strive for excellence in all that they do. We are just seeing the results of an educational philosophy that makes effort and attitude paramount. Consequently, the results are predictable.

Dr. Lambert went on to explain all the Boards plans to develope more facilities to upgrade our science and technology facilities that will contain state of the art equipment at both elementary and secondary locations. Expanded fine arts areas and refurbished class rooms at all locations. These are just a few of the plans that are in the works for the future. Yes i can be very enthusiastic about the future of this great school. Not only because of a son and daughter graduating there but also the fact of 3 grandchildren having graduated and 2 more to go. Yes, i feel very good about CAC and the future it holds for so many others that can share in the excellence that is so prevelent now.
I have been blessed to have had a role in its existance. Probably a lot more than i realize.

I suppose Mr Kingsly was right in stating, what we all need to make us happy is something to be enthused about. What are you enthusiastic about?

When you look back to years past, there are numerous events that you think of where you may have had an impact on someones life. I think often of how things might have been had i not reacted and what would have happened to the individual.
I recall a situation back in the early 90's while with the medical mission in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I was taking a break from bible studies and walking around the area visiting with the people who were there for medical attention. The clinic was set up in the facilities of the Methodist church in Ocho Rios. I met a mother and her young daughter standing out in the heat. The young girl who appeared to be about 5 or 6 years old was laying on the ground with her head on an old automobile tire. Her mother said she was running a high fever and was very sick. She had been told that there were too many people ahead of her to see the doctors and she would have to come back thr next day. I felt the little girls forehead and she was running a high temperature. I told the mother to wait until i got back. They had walked about 5 miles to get to the clinic. I went in the clinic and talked to one of the doctors and explained the situation. He told me to bring her in the back door and not go through registration. Her fever was 105 degrees and was suffering from a severe ear and throat infection. They doctored her and prescribed the medicines she needed and they left to go home. In situations like this the people waiting to get in the clinic tend to get hostile if someone gets ahead of them. On the last day of the clinic, during one of my studies, i looked up and saw the young girls mother who was waiting to see me. She had walked the 5 miles to bring me a gift, a hand carved bird. She said her daughter was getting better and was not running a temperature now. I explained to her the gift was not necessary and i hated she had walked that distance to bring it. She was so thankful that i had stopped that day to find out about her daughter's illness, she wanted me to have something to remember them. I still have that bird and everytime i see it i don't think of it as much as i see this young girl so sick and in need of medical attention and the way it was provided.

Thank God, Bush and tha US Air Force, Al has gone down. Thanks to our military the war on terrorist has taken a huge step. Despite all the criticism from the Democrats against our military, they are doing an excellent job. The likes of Murtha and others who constantly belittle our troops is absolutely un american.

This next incident was another opportunity i had to help someone that turned out better than the two previous ones. I wish i could remember the exact day and year but unfortunately age takes its toll on someones memory along with other things. George may recall the year but this was when the first Vietnam refugees were brought to the states. One of the large groups was brought to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas.

One Sunday Morning around 6:oo am, i received a phone call from my son George who lived in Mount Dora Florida. He ask me to meet a Delta Flight arriving in Little Rock abouy 8:30 am that morning. On the flight would be a young Vietnamese who would need to be carried to Camp Chaffee to get his mother and two sisters that would be brought there. This young man as i recall was living in Florida through the sponsorship of an American Military person.

We left the airport around 9:am that morning for the three hour journey to Fort Smith. Arriving at Camp Chaffee around noon we were directed to the processing center to begin the paper work process. What we thought would be a rather speedy process would in fact take hours. Amid a lot of chaos and confusion the afternoon passed rather slowly due to the paper work and the typical government red tape. Afterall this was not a common occurance so patience was required. This young man could not see his folks until all the details were worked out. Finally, just before midnight Sunday, the final details were worked out and this would be the first people to be released to go. We were asked to wait until the National TV networks got there to cover this first families release. During the meantime i was interviewed by Arkansas's two leading newspapers. I requested to only be identified as a spokesman and my name not used. The reason for this was because of one of my neighbors and my knowing how he felt about the whole refuee situation. Also, i would be taking them to my home. I felt good about this effort especially after getting to meet the mother and daughters.

We finally left the camp around 1:00 am to head back to No. Little Rock. The drive back home was an experience i'll never forget. With the four passengers all speaking Vietnamese language at the same time and as fast as they could, it was quiet an experience. I believe they spoke at speeds of about 60 to 70 miles an hour with gust up to about 100 every few minutes.

We arrived at my home around 4: am Monday morning. My wife got up and prepared breakfast for the guest and everyone had a meal. I was ask to contact Delta Airlines and see when they could get a flight out of Little Rock. Around 6:00 am Delta had seats available on a flight to Atlanta at around 7:30 am and they would not have any problems getting out of Atlanta to Florida. We loaded and headed to the airport. I helped them get everything done at the airport and got them to the gate. We said our goodbyes and i headed to my job. Monday was a long day since i had not slept any since Saturday night. However when i think back over this event, whatever time i spent helping this family was well worth it and the tiredness never mattered. I don't have any idea what this young man would have encountered had i not been there to help. It seems as if everything fit into place and the mission was accomplished. I have mentioned several times over the years to people about my help in getting the first Vietnamese family placed and they look at me and wonder what i am talking about. It is not what i have done but what God has done that matters in this and any other situation when we reach out to help.
A

This is another episode in my life where help was extended to someone who seemed to need help. NOTE: Names are not used in these situations so noone might be embarrassed.
This instance happened in the 50's also. One Sunday afternoon i received a phone call from one of our church leaders stating there were some people stranded north of where we lived and had no money or food. We went out to an old farm house and there a lady and two men in the vacant house. The lady seemed to be the spokesperson for the three and told us how religious they were. She showed us her charm bracelet with the ten commandments on it. Since they had no transportation, we took them to No. Little Rock to a hotel above the Mayflower Dairy Building. We made arrangements for them to stay two nights and enough money for food for about three days. They were to get back with us if things did not work out for them. On Thursday evening the FBI came out to the church leaders home and questioned our involvement in this situation. They understood the church's intent in helping but did indicate these three were fugitives from justice and was wanted in as i remember, Virginia.
Our consolation in this matter was that God understood our intent and knew we were only trying to help people in need. We do not always know the whole story and realize the churches are often taken advantage of. We often have repeaters who come by constantly and often find out they have been by the other churches in the area. To most of these we say No. Yet there are cases that on the surface seem legit so decisions have to be made based on good judgement. The monies we use is not ours but thanks be to God, he understands our heart.

Let me break in here and do this little item for my son Scott who does not care too much for Wal-Mart. Today on my way out of town i decided i would stop by Wal Mart and pay a little bill we owed and save a stamp. When i got to the Customer Service area there were 5 people ahead of me and only one clerk. The customer at the counter had to do several minutes of some kind of paper work and then wait for the clerk to figure out what to do. Finally, they figured it out and she left. The person in front of me had a shopping cart full of clothes to return and still only one person waiting on customers. I turn around and there are another five or six in line behind me. In the meantime there were at least four employees milling around behind the counter but not doing anything to help customers. Still only one elderly lady doing all she could to take care of business. I reached this conclusion, I believe the reason Wal- Mart does not pay their employees any better is because there was in this case about sixty percent in that area that were not doing anything. I like Wal-Mart but Mr Sam would turn over in his grave if he had any idea about what is going on. When i left there was still only one clerk. The price of a 39 cent stamp is very cheap considering how much time i spent in line.

We spend a lot of time talking about reaching out to other people and lend a helping hand in times of need. I believe we should do so even though sometimes it does not work out like we had hoped.
I have been thinking about posting a few happenings that have occured to me in times past that have not always turned out like it was planned and some that did. Maybe you can relate some of yours that would be intresting reading.

This event happened back in the early 50's. I was on my way home after work and passed by my neighbors home about 2 blocks from where i lived. I observed my neighbor out in the front yard going to fist city with another man. I immediately stopped and called to my neighbor if he needed some help. He hollered back and said he could take care of it. A couple of days later I saw him and he explained he was having problem with his son in law and he was whipping up on him to get him off his property. This was a situation where i was glad i did not get involved in a domestic fight among family members.

(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER

What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14) This is a good article written by Chuck Monan, Pulpit Minister fpr the Pleasant Valley church of Christ, Little Rock, Ar.

During a nondescript Monday Night Football Game on Dec 8, 1980, Howard Cosell broke away from his play by play duties to announce that John Lennon had been killed outside his New York City home by an assassin. I still recall that as clearly as what happened this morning.
In November I had the opportunity to visit New York to spend time with my friend Bill Johnson. As Bill played tour guide, I ask if we might go by the Central Park West area and see a couple of sites associated with Lennon. This he was happy to do.
The Dakota is a baroque-style fortress that was Lennon's last home. Outside its walls is where he was killed and where thousands showed up to keep vigil afterward. Accross the street in Central Park is Strawberry Fields, a favorite oasis in the park of Lennon's. Hardly a day goes by without some rememberance of John Lennon being placed on the mosaic that reads IMAGINE - a rose, a poem, a candle, a bouquet of flowers. The day I visited I placed a few CD's of my brother Joe Patrick's music on the spot.
December 8, 2005 marked twenty five years since Lennon's death. When i think of all the things that have happened since then, it seems like a long time. But when I think of how vividly I remember that night, it seems like only yesterday.
One of the last songs Lennon recorded was titled (Just Like) Starting Over. It paints a picture of a man who wanted to go back before so many mistakes were made and start again with a clean slate.

Our life together is so precious together
We have grown- we have grown
Although our love is still special
Let's take our chance and fly away somewhere alone
Its been so long since we took the time
No one's to blame
I know time flies so quickly
But when i see you darling
Its like we both start falling in love again
It'll be just like starting over.
A few weeks later Lennon was dead. He never got the opportunity to start over.
You and I do have such an opportunity. Is there a relationship that needs mending? A habit that needs breaking? A goal that needs launching? Begin today. What kind of changes do we need to make? Here are some possibilities.


1. Thank God for the past year, When we take inventory, we see much for which to be thankful. Family, friends, health, material blessings, spiritual purpose... all of us

2.Prioritize
Are you being worn out by amillion activities? Sit down and make a list of the things that matter most, then put the big rocks in the jar first.
3. Don't be afraid to say "NO" once in a while No one can do everything. If you try you will only end up disappointing yourself and others. Better to excell at a few things than perform many with mediocrity.
4. Put people ahead of posessions, Over the years I have officiated at many funerals. I can't recall any caskets stuffed with cash. Nor do the eulogies mention all the items owned by the deceased. But relationships are always celebrated. Spend more time investing yourself in the lives of others this year.

While there is life, there is hope. We can start over from where we are. And when we do, we will discover that tomorrow can be better than yesterday.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE
Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
When you lose, dont lose the lesson.
Follow the three R's
Respect for self,
Respect for others, and
Responsibility for all your actions
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Learn the rules so you can know how to break them properly.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone everyday.
Open arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the answer.
Live a good honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Once a year, go someplace you have never been before.
Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.