.223

.223 is the diameter, in inches, of the Remington ammo equivalent to the NATO military round used in the M-16.  That round is a 5.56x45mm. So what's the deal with the ballistic lesson this morning?  Please, let me explain.

It's not the bullet, it's the number, 223.  That was my weight when I stopped jogging back in October, '09. I always got a chuckle when I stepped on the digital scale and the 223 come up on the screen.  "Fast as a bullet" I thought.  I was real excited this morning when it showed up again.

It took just a little over 2 weeks to burn off all the weight I've accumulated over the past 10 months. Sometimes PRO-gress can be faster than RE-gress. 
What takes up most of the time is waiting to get started.  12 lbs down ...

Chuck (223)

A Closer Look

“The graphic artist’s immaterial and purely spiritual ideal is the fruitful transfer of thoughts from one human being to as many human beings as possible.”
                                                                                                M.C. Escher

  Escher is my favorite artist and has been since I was young.  There are many factors behind my appreciation for his work beside that fact that I like what I see.  The Geometric perspectives, the Imagination, the transitional figures which morph from one form into another.  All of this fascinates me.

His work is captivating, draws the observer in, fixes the attention, and compels them into exploring deeper into what is being presented before their eyes.

Preaching should do the same thing.  Beyond the common perspective, into realms of captivating.  Drawing in the observer, enticing him to look deeper, to wonder, to want more.  It surly is an art to sketch a sermon which will turn the imposable into reality.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"

Chuck

On the Road

This is my first Blog-Away-From-Home.  I'm writing from a motel room in Frederick MD.  The death a friend has brought me to this place.  The body of Pastor Louis Purks will be buried here tomorrow.  There will likely be many friends, fellow Pastors, Church members, and family gathered around his grave.  Lots of Amens! and many tears will be shed. 

But Lou Purks will not be here tomorrow because he is on the road also, on the Calvary Road.  When he closed his eyes in death last Monday morning he opened them in the presence of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Today was his first Sunday in Heaven.  I wonder what it will be like to spend the Lord's Day with the Lord?

 Well, one more friend in heaven ...

Chuck

Lawn Care

This year we have the best lawn that we ever had.  The combination of lots of sunshine, periodic rain storms, grand-babies with water hoses and the removal of a few trees, has produced the greenest, fullest lawn ever in the backyard of 52.

But while cutting the grass the other day I was brought under deep conviction about a certain matter; my propensity towards Chronic Obstacle  Adjustment.  You know, cutting around things instead of dealing with the issues. 

Like ... Cutting around the electrical wires (not live) sticking out of the ground in several location.  Eight years of intentions to install some lamp-posts for outside lighting.

Like ... Roots from trees that have already been removed.  Two years of hoping to get a small stump-grinder in to level out a few spots.

Like ... Concrete pavers (2ft x 2ft) left over from my sidewalk project.  Six Years of thoughts that "I might need them someday!"

We often create obstacles for our lives by not following through on the things that we need to do, should do or intend to do.  Then we Adjust to Accommodate those Self-Made obstacles instead of dealing with them.  Time for some Extreme Lawn Care!

Chuck (225)

Friday Favorites:

Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people
                                         Eleanor Roosevelt








Chuck (226)

Cricket Alarm

I mentioned a few posts back that I wake up in the morning with a Cricket Alarm.  This is a relatively new situation for me. 

The photo to the left is the style of GE clock radio that I have been using all of my adult life.  I have worn out at least two of them and always buy the same model each time.  I know how it works & can set the alarm in the dark if I need to.  The ALARM sound - "BEEP-BEEP-BEEP ..." is what I am very used to and for over thirty years it has awakened me for work, school & church.  All was well until the iPhone arrived at 52 (that's what we call our home, "52").

Now that I have taken a bite from the Apple, and having all this cool technology at my fingertips, it was certainly time to try a new wake-up method and sound.  After scrolling through the options I was intrigued by the "Crickets" sound.  I must admit, the first attempt was on a day that I didn't have anything crucial to do in the morning, so just in case I didn't respond to this New Noise, I would just sleep-in till my internal clock woke me up.

To my surprise Crickets worked just fine.  After 30+ years of hearing the same sound, every morning, I have discovered that I can be motivated to get out of bed with a simple chirping noise.  So what gets you moving in the morning?  Not the sound, but the motivation.  "Time to make the Donuts!" as the old commercial used to say.  There is a reason that you get moving each day and it seems that the clearer the motivation, the less noise we actually need to get us, and keep us, going.

Chuck 

Wordless Wednesday

Shoes

I don't buy shoes very often and I don't particularly like to shop of shoes.  Normally I will decide what I want before I go, then head right to the shoe department, find what's  on sale in the color & style I have already pre-determined, complain about the price (I hate spending money) and then head to the check out.

Today I wanted to get a pair of "Running" shoes.  Not just a pair of sneakers, all-purpose, cross-trainer type shoes.  Running Shoes.  Can you tell I'm getting serious about this?  Dick's Sporting Goods was the first stop, and when I looked at the back wall FILLED with dozens of styles, in a spectrum of prices,  I just looked around briefly and said to Joyce, "Let's go see what they have at Kohl's."

The salesman showed up just then.  "Can I help you with something?", was the start of the conversation.  All right, let's do this I though, I'll see if this guy is just filling a summer job, or if he knows anything about running shoes.

Wow, he knew his stuff, pointing out different features between the different brands, the support benefits of the various styles and all within the price range that I said I was looking.  And after trying on 6 different pairs of Running Shoes (I normally would never try on 6 pairs of shoes) I was sold!  It was the Nike Air Pegasus+ 27 for me. 

Be Present when someone is looking - Be Patience when someone is debating  & Be Informed when someone in asking.  I hope I remember that, because there are many people that I meet while doing the Work of the Ministry whose Soul depends upon it. 

Chuck (228)

"Precious ...

...in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

Pastor Louis Purks







Chuck

Making Memories

Yum-Oh!  Mealworms are a wonderful dietary addition for my lizard, Sunny.  Bearded Dragons enjoy eating Lettuce (Preferably Roman), but they get very excited when supper-time consists of something alive.

Feeding Sunny is also very entertaining for the grand-babies.  GB3 & 5 where watching this afternoons feeding.  "Can I See?", "Can I Hold One?", "Oh Look!".  I have as much fun watching them as I do watching Sunny devourer a dozen tasty insects. 

I would imaging that 20 years from now, those grand-babies will still remember feeding Sunny.  Making Memories is in important part of being a Pop-Pop.  I also want them to remember the times we spend at Church, the books we read together, the walks through the neighborhood, the songs that we sing together. 

So many memories to make ...

Chuck

"I Do"

I Love Weddings!  I loved mine own wedding thirty-plus years ago.  I loved my children's weddings, 3 and counting.  And I love to officiate weddings, today was my fifth.

Many preachers joke that they prefer doing funerals because they know that they will stay dead.  I certainly see the humor and the truth in that.   So far, so good, Lord willing, they are all still married.

"I Do" means that I commit myself to this now, and tomorrow and forever.  "I Do" is not an emotional assertion, "I DO" is an act of the will.  So please, all of you that have stood at the marriage altar and proclaimed those words before family and friends, look your spouse in eyes, as soon as you can, and remind them that you "Still Do".

Chuck

Friday Favorites:

"Like a good chess player, Satan is always trying to maneuver you into a position where you can save your castle only by losing your bishop."






Chuck (231)

Old Dude

It's not official YET but, as soon as get the registration in the mail, I will be signed up for my very first 5K race.  It is called the "MansField of Dreams 5K" and is held locally. 

If you do the math 5 Kilometers equals 3.1 miles.  Not a marathon, but it's a long distance when you're an Old Dude like me.  But wait, here's the best part.  While filling out the registration form I discover that I am in the 50+ category.  Do you hear that?  Fifty-Plus!  You know what that means?  I have a chance to win!  I will be racing against a herd of 70 year-old with walkers.

49 may be the end of youth but 50 is the youth of old age.  It is all about perspective.

But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Chuck

Wordless Wednesday

Most Excellent Book

From a previous post, you may remember that this book is my first eBook for my iBook reader.  This has been an extremely informative piece of non-fiction.  Filled with behind the scenes politics,  first-hand accounts of terroristic plots and counter-intelligence in occupied West Bank and Gaza. Mosab Yousef, the Son of Hamas, gives readers a view of the Israeli / Palestinian conflict that is rarely seen in the news. 

Just a few more chapters .... 
This is one of those books that is hard to put down.

Chuck

Got Up & Went!!!

She did it!  That daughter of mine.  She pushed me too far this time!  I hope she's happy. 

It was 4:15 AM when my cricket alarm went off (tell you about that some other time) and we were out the door by 4:40.  Christian has been going to the Gym for several months now and she has been offering to take me as a week long guest.  Off we went.

I spent the first half-hour on an elliptical machine & a stationary bike.  I like the one feature on the bike where it tells you how many watts you are generating as you peddle.  My goal was to keep a light-bulb lit.  "One of those energy-saver bulbs?" was my daughter's snide remark!  Then we hit the floor mats for some stretching exercises and then off the the machines.

Who thinks up these machines?  What twisted, sadistic mind thinks up these platforms of pain?

OK, the point is that we all need some type of encouragement to get over the slump we are in.  It may be physical, emotional, educational or spiritual but we all need someone to push, just a little to get us over the hump.  Thank you Chris for the push. 

Oh, and I walked to the bank this morning instead of driving.  (1/2 mile)

Chuck (235)

Get Up and Go

My dear daughter, Christian Joy, brought home the Race Forum magazine yesterday.  GREAT! It lists all the different races in our area.  You see last year at this time I was running with her a few days a week and was getting in a few miles each time.  I had mentioned that we should run a 5K together and this was her reminder to me.  She has kept up the running, I, on the other hand, have not. 

I have discovered that running and weight are connected and this past year has been rough.  The scale has gone places that its never gone before.  I used to just take it easy on the desserts for a bit, and Boom, 10 pounds.  But not any more.  50 has put me into a new category of difficulty.  I need to just get up and go running again.  How about you?  Anything that you need to just get up and go do?  Well, let's get moving!

Thank you Chris for the encouragement.  Maybe if I started posting my "Current Weight" each week I would shame myself into more exercise.  We all need motivation and also we all need to be motivators of Body, Soul and Spirit. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” (Hebrews 10:24)

Chuck

Bye-By

If you read enough of my Blog or Facebook posts will discover quickly that I am a horrable (horrible) speller.  I have been pathedic (pathetic) in spelling as far back as I can remember.  I do recall that our spelling class in eigth (eighth) grade was the last class of the day.  By then my brain had already shut down for the day and my apothy (apathy) for the subject was born.

My shortcomings were often disgised (disguised) by an increasingly horrible (got it right this time) penmenship (penmanship).  I figured that if it couldn't be read then no one would know if it was spelled wrong.  This great logic got me through high-school and into college.  Yet I have always wished that I had developed this fundamental skill as a child.  "Hey Joyce, how do you spell ..." was my college paper montra (mantra).

Thankfully this digital world we now live in provides "Spell-Check" in nearly every application that I type in.  I have grown to depend on it, but I have to admit some general frustrations:

1. I know that Spell-Check is a crutch & not a remedy for my short comings. When the red-squiggly line appears & the pop-up window says "No Suggestions" I can't help but think, "Boy, you really messed that word up"!

2. I am anxious about hitting the POST button. - I read, re-read & re-re-read to make sure there is nothing spelled right / that is really spelled wrong [If you know what I mean?].

Case  in point: Look at the title of my Blog Post for Aug. 7, "Good Bye Old Friend".  It was originally titled "Good By Old Friend" but after I posted it and thought about it I realized the "By" should be changed to "Bye", so an edit took place then a re-post.  The next day I was reading the book "Go, Dog. Go!":

"Good-by!" is found through out the entire book!!!

This is frustrating for a bad-speller like me.  Or maybe not.  Maybe I should simply publish my own dictionary of varient (variant) spellings of commenly (commonly) misspelled words.  Instead of beating myself up when the red-squiggly appears I can simple (simply) build a database of alternate spellings. 

I am really on to something. 

Chuck

Friday Favorites:

Each Friday I intend to post a Favorite Quote, Interesting Fact or just something down-right Frivolous.  I shall start with one of my favorite authors:

"There is no particular virtue in being seriously unreadable."

C. H. Spurgeon

Happy Birthday

This is what the "New Born" looked like back on this date, 1981

 It was only a few years later, while he was still a toddler, that I met IBM / PC. I was working as a draftsman at E.H Richardsons & Associates; a subsidiary of TETRA TECH ; a sub-subsidiary of Honeywell (That poor receptionist had to answer the phone and mention all three names!) .  We worked closely for several years, kind of grew up together, from 80-88 to 286.  I saw him get his first video up-grade card and math co-processor.  His new 19" monitor took up half my desk, but that was OK, because I knew that has he was growing, so was I.

 I'm glad IBM/ PC and I met back in the early 80's and had such a long and rewarding relationship.  While it is true that "Iron sharpeneth iron", something has to said about "Silicon".  IBM / PC made a significant impact on my professional and personal life, for which I am grateful.  Several career moves came as a direct result of his name being in my résumé, and the skills that he help me to develop provided for my family for many years to follow. 

So I take this moment to pause and thank my Lord for introducing me to IBM / PC.  God knew the benefit that this connection would make.  Oh the stories I could tell (Post) about how the Lord weaved this relationship through all of my life, including my ministry.

So, Happy 29th Birthday IBM / PC ...

Chuck

Wordless Wednesday

Delicate Balance

There must be an answer to this perplexing question:  How often should you buy flowers for your wife?

If you buy them too often, it loses the whole intention of being special and somewhat romantic.  If you buy them too infrequent then her thought of, "I wonder what he did" clouds the moment.  I suppose the best solution is not in the timing but in the gift itself.  Mixing up different types of gifts, like flowers one time, a candle the next.  Alternate small & big, humorous and intimate (perfume, nail polish, a new dress).

I can't imagine Joyce ever getting tired of having fresh flowers around the house yet if I brought home a Tastykake, Coconut Junior she would certainly conclude that must have bee thinking about her on my what home.  The gift ideas are endless ...

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)

Good Things need to be treated well.

Chuck

Plus ça change ...

As the old French proverbs states:
"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."

"The more things change, the more they stay the same."

This proverb is supposed to be a critical commentary, satirizing improvements as the "Same Old, Same Old".  The photo above is from my favorite Wawa on the planet.  Here you can see the New & Improved Coffee Distribution System (CDS).  What a great change, BUT the coffee stayed the same!  In this case the Same Old, Same Old is just what I wanted.  I mean. Look at all those Coffee Urns ....

If we can maintain the Fundamental Quality of the product, and improve the look, efficacy & practicality of the means by which it is delivered then everyone wins.  Let me get to some preachin':  Too many churches have been watering down the message of the Bible for so long and then simply distribute their sub-standard product in new pots.  The congregation is so enamored by the fancy urns that it doesn't realize that the coffee in weak.  But if a Church has the Strong Gospel Message, and is looking for a more efficient and practical way it getting that message out, then "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose." 

Chuck (CDS)

Pretty Lights

The Red and Blue lights alternately danced across the walls of the parlor, bouncing off any object that contained glass or metal on its surface.  Grand-Baby #3 wanted to see what was going on out front of the house so we went out onto the front steps and sat down to enjoy the sight.

The street we live on is posted with a 25 mph speed limit.  This generates a lot of traffic stops, revenue & entertainment.  GB3 asks, "Is he giving him a ticket?"  "It looks like it" I said.  We watched, talked and read a half of a chapter of Winne-the-Pooh. 

I started thinking of a young girl in our Bible Club back in Delaware over 20 years ago.  What ever we were talking about in class sparked the harsh response, "Those Stupid Cops!"  She or likely her parents apparently had a bad experience with the police and the "S Word" was used.  (We don't say the S word around the GB's).  Just then I said to GB3, "The police are our friends.  That officer is really nice guy."  No real, noticeable response from the four year old and so we continued to read about heffalumps and woozles till all the pretty lights were gone.

So many things to teach ...


Chuck

Good Bye Old Friend

There comes a time when you must move on.  I tend to hang on as long as possible, almost in denial, always hoping, under the delusion that it's going to be OK.

A few days ago I setup a full pot of Half-Caf in my favor "Gevalia 12-cup coffeemaker w/ stainless steal scoop" and hit the button.  Returning a few minutes later I find NOTHING.  I switch it off & on and NOTHING.  Finally I unplug it and try again.  It Worked!  Alright, you have lived to see another day.

Day two... The auto-timer is set, I get up at 0-dark-thirty and the machine only brewed 2 cups out of a possible 12.  Not even a good average in baseball, unless you are a star pitcher with a low ERA.  But at that time of the morning I'm more concerned with my coffee pitcher then the Phillies.

So, Day three ... (see how delusional I am?)  It is Saturday, I sleep in till 7 and I go down stairs and set-up that piece of junk for one last time.  Always giving the benefit of the doubt, always hoping for the best, always thinking that it has gotten over it's issues.  But ... it's batting average did not improve!  Low ERA or not, it went to the curb, and a relief pitcher  was called in from the bullpen. 

Can you draw some Life Application from this catastrophe?  I know that I'm overwhelmed by introspection, wondering if I treat people better than coffee pots.

Chuck

Gift Cards

I enjoy receiving gift cards for what ever occasion.  The cash value is not as important as the excuse to go to a restaurant, or stop at Wawa (Like a need an excuse) or shop on-line.  My birthday proved no exception to the Gift Card giving.  Thanks you, everyone!

I received two Book Store cards, one for Borders and the other, Barns & Nobles.  There is a book that I have been wanting to read for a while now, "Son of Hamas", that I thought I would purchase as an e-book from B&N.

Using my iPhone, I go to their site, set-up an account, find the e-book, read about & download their iPhone application and then try to make my purchase.  But No!  I must use a real computer to register the gift card.  So a few days later, on my laptop, I get to my newly established B&N account and discover that there is no place to register my Gift Card, but that I simply type in the card # when I'm checking out.  OK, I suppose I can still buy my e-book, on my laptop, but I am really trying to use my iPhone (including the B&N application) for things that will be mobile.

Why would any business add a layer of difficulty to someone who wants to purchase something from them?  I know it's not my money, but I am a new customer (my last online book purchase was on Amazon) and if they provide a hassle free and rewarding experience, I will likely be a return customer.  No wonder they may be going out of business.

So here's my point, the lesson to be learned ... Many first time contacts to the Church that I pastor may be having similar experiences.  Whether they are stopping by On-Line, or coming to the Church on a Sunday, it is vitally important that we provide a hassle free and rewarding experience.  I want them to come back, to be pleased enough with their experience that they would be willing to return for more of what we offer.

I may get perturbed about my B&N online experience, but had better pay closer attention to the experiences of those who visit NTBC.  The Gift that they may walking away from is "The Gift of God ... eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord".

Chuck
 
P.S. - B&N responded to my e-mail, and modified their website to "Manage Gift Cards for eBooks".  I followed their instructions and have already purchased the book I wanted.  A very rewarding experience.  B&N, I'll be back to visit.

So Many Books ...

One of my recent iPhone apps was iBook, which, of course, came with a FREE book.  Here it is, the freebie.  Not one to neglect anything free, and curious of the workings of the application, I started in on this classic work of childhood fiction.

At least once in a year I will put aside the volumes of deep, theological works and dive into a great classic.  Just a few to mention: A Christmas Carol (Dickins), Through the Looking Glass (Carroll). 

So resting on the self, for just for a while, is M'Cheyne, Ryle, Mundell, Strauss & Phillips.


"And what is the use of a book,' thought Alice, 'without pictures or conversation?"

... and Counting

50 years old ... and Counting
Married nearly 31 years ...
4 Children ... (stopped counting)
6 Grand-Kids ...
Been Saved 30 years ...
Pastoring the same Church for 14 years ...

I could keep going on about how much God has blessed me in the past but I'm looking forward to, and counting on, many great blessings in the future.
"Truly God is good ..."