“THE OLD BOOK”

The Old Book is a little worn and tattered from the use of years gone by. Yet this week once again I will pull it off the shelf. It may have a little dust on it, but that is ok. It only comes off its resting place once a year or so. Oh there are others that I could use this week, but each year at this time I choose to use the old book resting on my book case!

The Old Book is not really that old by some standards. You see it is only about 40 years old or so. Its pages have become brittle and some have even changed colors due to time. The cover is even covered with clear tape in places to hold it together. The old book is becoming more fragile each day and week that it continues to hang around. That’s why it stays in the book case most of the time.

I remember the day’s from years gone by that The Old Book was read daily. Each day it would come from its resting place and it would be opened and read. Sometimes it was read out loud, but most of the time in quiet solitude. Each day The Old Book was opened there was wisdom, and knowledge gleamed form its pages. Matter of a fact it was the book that I was raised by!

You see The Old Book that I refer to is my Dad’s Bible that he used everyday and read everyday. Each year since he has gone to be with the author of that Old Book I pull it off the shelf and use it. I too was taught to go to its pages and search its truth to live each day by its wisdom.


Each year The Old Book becomes more precious to me during this time of year. It seems like only yesterday that his big old hands would reach for it and open it to attain more knowledge and wisdom. The fact is that it has been some 10 years since he has touched its covers. For instead of reading its truths he is now setting with the author and getting first hand information given to him.

Each day as I get older I do miss my dad, but because of his belief in The Old Book I too know that one day I will sit with him at the author’s feet. Not because my dad is there with Him, but because my dad cared enough to point me to THE OLD BOOK. The very place that I found my heavenly father, Jesus!

Dad, I do miss you very much, but in a short time I too will be sitting at the feet of the author because you loved me enough to show me the way to THE OLD BOOK!


Steve
June 15th, 2010

Six Years ago.

Memorial day weekend, do you remember what or where you were 6 years ago. I do! I was looking forward to the long weekend at my apartment at the time. You know just the everyday thing. On saturday I was at the gym doing my thing then to IHOP for breakfast. Afterwards it was back to the apartment for a long rest. Later that day I was preparing to tech Sunday school for Johnny Clayton, my teacher at the time. Although that weekend he was out of town.

Sunday was just the normal thing up for breakfast then to teach. Little did I know this would be the weekend that has changed my life. After Sunday school that day my friend Casey asked me what I was doing on Monday morning and of course I told her not much as far as I knew. Then she blurted out, good I want you to meet me on Garrison @9:30. Why in the word do you want to meet me there was my guestion. Her reply was short and simply. I want you to meet a friend of mine, any reason you can't! She was forceful! Oh why not I said, it's a public place.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect things to turn out they way they did. For on that day I met a very beautiful lady named Teresa.

You guessed it, if you were guessing that is, she is now my wife!

So memorial day has a lot of meaning to me. First I met my wife this weekend and then to celebrate the memory of so many people who have given the ulitmate sacarfice, there life. For it is because of them that I can enjoy the freedom that I have.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and makes wonderful memories that will forever be a blessing to you.

I know I sure have.................

Christmas 2009,

Here is one of the photo's from last night's Christmas gathering at our house. We had a great evening with food and fellowship.

I always like this day because it is the one time a year that all my kids and grandkids are at my house (not enough)! Anyway we did the usual things that families do. Like eat and exchange gifts.....mostly for the kid's!

All I can say is that it was a great evening, I just wished it lasted longer......I guess that is selfish on my part, but I sure love it when all of my kid's are at home they mean the world to me...........

While on the way to Texas this last late thursday night drive Teresa, Sarah and I played 20 questions. One of the questions that I asked was a simple one: What is you favorite Christmas memory!

My self I have many to chose from, because my family has always had a great time during the Christmas season. I guess one of my most recent Christmas memories was 6 years ago when on Christmas eve I popped the question and she said yes!!!!!!

Teresa did mention something, but I forgot what it was because what Sarah said next was very special............

What she said was simple, but very moving to me and I quote:

"Our first Christmas together as a family"............Wow, is all I could think, but I understand why....it was the first Christmas that she experienced as a family at her home, our home!!!!!

Yes it is truly a home...........a place of safety filled and surrounded by people who love each other dearly............I hope your home is filled the same way and that during this season you realize that Christmas is not about gifts that we give, but about the gift that we have received...........the greatest gift of all.....

The birth of a Saviour, Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What and Awesome gift we have, and all we need to do is accept HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I have not been on here inawhile so I thought I would post something today. What a busy month we have had around this place.

First of all Teresa and I spent the first 6 day's on a trip to the Dominican Republic. What a trip, and warm weather on top of that. The high each day was around 94 and we soaked up the sun. I will try to add a few pictures of this trip.

Then on Dec 11th we drove down to Fort Worth Tx for Chris' graduation from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has earned his masters degree, and now wants to be called master! Yeah right!

Anyway I am very proud of what he has acheived!

That's all for now, but stay tuned and I will try to post more.........................

Here are some photo's I did today after the rain! Of course it is going to rain it is Rodeo week and Memorial Day weekend in Ft. Smith. Frankly I can't remember a weekend since it has not rained. Oh Well, enjoy and let me know what you think.......good or bad!

Here are some more photo's that I did today Even in the rain the birds and one squirrel was out looking for a meal. In some of the shots you will be able to see the rain drops as little white specks.

Anyway these photo's remind me that as the scripture says the Lord will take care of the birds and if He loves them that much, just think how much He loves us and wants to take care of us. That's my version of what the scripture says.....