"I'm Gonna Be..."

You know that thing where you would do anything to show another person how important they are to you? Yeah...this is about that. I woke up singing this song today. Now it will be stuck in your heads too! :)

Now that's commitment! Have a Happy Hump Day, my friends!

The 'Stache is Talking Trash

'Stache Stunt Double

As many of you are aware, today is Carl's birthday. He deserves a day off from writing, so I -his Moustache- have taken over the blog for this Tuesday. You may be surprised that a moustache can have a life of its own and can write, or you may be among those who have suspected all along that I have special powers. In any case, today is my day to shine! You may also recall that this is the final day of the ridiculous contest in which Carl has allowed you to have control of my destiny in order to raise money for our beloved Lisa Jewett. I say "our beloved" because she (just like Marilyn, who has kept me safe for many years!) was steadfastly opposed to anything that might cause me to disappear from Carl's face- so of course I love her too! Despite my trepidation, I have been proud to risk my life so that we could raise money for her battle with ovarian cancer- because #CancerSucks. Carl's readers have been very generous, and we thank you. But here, on the final day of voting to Save It or Shave It (and with me being the IT in question!), there are a few things that need to be said. This 'stache is about to talk some trash!

It is clear from the voting so far that the ladies love me, and who can blame them? My powers are mystical, but very real. The money raised to save me has turned the voting into a landslide (although some as yet unclaimed votes from a very generous anonymous voter- and the Gastler family- could change all that) without a single female voting for my demise. Apparently, you gotta' love the 'stache! Most of you have no idea what Carl would look like without me, and that scares you. I get that. As Carl Semmler wrote, who would pay to see MORE of this guy's face?  Todd Willis voted to shave me out of sheer curiosity, and I get that as well. But those of you who want me gone are failing. At midnight tonight, unless you have a comeback of epic proportions, my future will be secure. So I taunt you! This is your once chance to kiss me goodbye, and you are blowing it. Can you imagine your joy at watching a video of a professional putting Carl in a chair and sending me to oblivion? It's all slipping away, isn't it? You under-estimated the power of the 'stache- and now it's desperation time for all the haters!

Want to shut me up? Then click the link provided and go visit Lisa's Go Fund Me page, donate and vote! Every $5 you donate earns one vote, and $100 doubles your total and gives you 40 votes to use against me. So far readers of this blog have given over $900 to the cause; that's awesome, but we are greedy. We want more! I mentioned that it is Carl's birthday, and he has repeatedly said that what he wants most as a gift to him is for people to give to Lisa. That's sweet and all, but I have another challenge for you. Give today, on this final day of the contest, and vote to shut me up! I dare ya. It'll take several hundred dollars of giving for the Shave It! votes to catch up, but if you do it you can watch me go bye-bye. You can do something wonderful and disappoint the women in my life all at the same time. But I don't think it will happen, because the 'stache lovers out there can give as well. I'd love to see a bidding war, a fight to the finish- because we'd love to see those donation totals soar today.

So donate, vote and wish Carl a Happy Birthday! Then tune in tomorrow for the big announcement. I'm not worried about my future. In fact, I'm planning my next move. Just like Pinky & the Brain, Carl and I are planning to take over the world! You should Fear the 'Stache!!!

Moose

One Last Goodbye

Yesterday Marilyn, Lisa and I took a drive down south to Palmetto, Florida. Our destination was the Companion Memorial Gardens, the final resting place of the ashes of our beloved Conner Dog. We had received notice that his remains had been scattered in a butterfly garden there and we just wanted to see the place and say one last goodbye. It was a happy but emotional visit, and we were all very happy to know that Conner's final resting place is a large shady area with beautiful flowers and butterflies, far out in the country and away from the cars that so often made him a little crazy. There are a few pictures below. A day does not go by that I don't miss him. But I do feel a little more at peace today. Best wishes for a wonderful week for each and every one of you!

The Loneliest Book in the Bible

I've been thinking so much lately about how for those of us who follow Jesus, love is a verb. It's an action word, and we are called to be doers of that word. Jesus did not come that we might think about and analyze what it means to love each other; he came so that we might LOVE ONE ANOTHER! Today's encouragement comes from my favorite little devotioal book, God Is No Fool by Lois Cheney (Abingdon Press, 1969).  Let these words wash over you. Then DO something about them.

A woman came from seeing a religious movie. She was moved by it. She thought of the technicolor wonders of God, She choked up at the vista-vision close-ups of the men of God. She mused on the stereophonic destruction of evil. All the way home she thought and thought. When she had gotten dinner she bathed the children, played bridge and then went to bed. Before she feel asleep she told her husband about the movie and said, "It really made you think."

A young man went into a church after a long, too long, absence. The minister spoke of the Love of God, of the Hope of God, of Life in God. The young man was troubled and he was stirred. That afternoon he went for a walk with his girlfriend, and they talked and they had a hamburger. Before he kissed her goodnight, he told her about the sermon, and he said, "It really made you think."

A grown man concerned for life and love read many books of religious depth. They spoke of the Need for God, the Hope for God and the Promises of God. He couldn't put them down. He would read late into the night. At breakfast he would tell his wife why he stayed up so late. He would tell her about a special book and would say, "It really made you think."

Could it be that the loneliest book in the Bible is the book of ACTS?

Saturday Shout Outs!

The great month of October has arrived, and with it comes great weather, great football, great birthdays and a new edition of my Saturday Shout Outs! There's a lot going on in my life, with plenty of prayers (both joys and concerns) and the fate of my moustache still up in the air! We've got all the news that fits, so buckle up, hang on and let's get ready to shout!

• Lisa Kraus Spires (FUMC-Kissimmee) continues to ask for prayers for her youngest daughter Abby, who will be undergoing more tests for some seizure issues. We pray for Abby, Lisa and that the doctors will discover for certain what is going on. We also remember our friend and Abby's grandma Carol Kraus. Love you Lisa!
• Zach Wehr (Wesley Memorial UMC) has started a new job with AUV Flight Services, where he will be working with unmanned aircraft (think drones) and spending a lot of time in Tuscon, AZ. Congratulations Zach!
• Lisa Jewett lived at our house this week recovering from her 2nd chemo treatment, and we are glad to pass along the praise report that this cycle was much better than the first! She felt less fatigue, less nausea and just generally recovered more quickly this time around. I am pretty sure that her personal nurse (that would be me!) deserves most of the credit. But in all seriousness, what a blessing it was both to have Lisa with us and to see her feeling so much better!!! But keep praying- we do it all over again October 15th. #CancerSucks
• Katie Shepherd Lebrato (New Garden Friends Meeting) shared with the Facebook world that she is expecting her first child! I remember seeing Katie with her mom Edith in the hospital a long time ago when Katie was born. Why do I suddenly want to start singing The Circle of Life? Congratulations to the Shepherd/Lebrato clan, and many prayers for Katie and the baby!
• My dear friend Millie Simmons (Springfield Friends Meeting) asked for prayers for an unspoken need on Facebook yesterday. So I'm praying. Please join me.
• Scott Farris (Wesley Memorial UMC & Lisa Jewett's son) started a new job this week as an EMT, gaining experience as he heads towards his goal of becoming a firefighter. Congrats Scott, and best of luck to you!
• Leigh Ann Venable (Quaker Lake Camp) is at the end of her chemo treatments as she continues to kick cancer's butt. I marvel at her courage and her spirit, and pray often for her hubby Terry as well. Love and miss you both! #CancerStillSucks
• Teresa Reep Tysinger (FUMC-K) continues to move closer to one of her dreams in life, becoming a published author. I'm so excited for for and continue to pray that the long process will keep moving forward. She is a gifted writer who has worked hard for this, and I know we are all cheering for her success!!! Plus, word came yesterday that she is becoming a Daisy Scout leader. Prayers for everyone!!!  LOL
• Ann Saunders Baker (Springfield) shared this week that she has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I offer prayers and support to Ann- it's a disease I know a little too well! Also in the SFM family we continue to pray for Marie Allen Duke, whose due date for her new baby continues to draw near. Sending warm thoughts your was each and every day, Marie!
• Beth Vestal McGalliard (New Garden Friends Meeting) you are amazing and I love you. That just needed to be shouted this morning!
• A special Happy Birthday today to one of my favorite people, Hal Gastler (Wesley Memorial)! My extended family will celebrate lots of birthdays this month! Michelle Carroll on the 12th; Marilyn on the 16th; my Mom on the 17th; Scott Farris on the 23rd & Jerry Hanbery on the 30th.  And of course mine is this Tuesday, October 6th. Wondering what to get this old man (it's #56)? Funny you should ask...
• The great Save It or Shave It? competition ends a midnight on Tuesday! The bottom line here is that we are raising money for Lisa Jewett through a Go Fund Me page by allowing you to vote on the fate of my trademark moustache. Every $5 you donate earns you a vote; donate $100 and I'll double your vote total. So far my 'stache is safe, but you could change that! I'm also waiting on opinions from old friends like Tammy Foster & Steve Semmler, who actually knew me BEFORE the birth of the 'stache. I have noticed that the women who have voted or voiced an opinion all want to save it; the guys mostly seem to want it gone. So I'm guessing that means it's muy macho and a little intimidating to the fellows. :)  Anyway, if you want to give me a great birthday present, click HERE, donate and vote. Every $5 will help Lisa in her battle. And for those of you who have already stepped up big- THANK YOU!!! And BTW- Hal & Joanne Gastler, the judges have ruled that in honor of Hal's birthday your donation, even though it came before the contest ever started, earned you guys the full 80 votes! Cast them carefully!!! #SavetheStache

So that's it for today! I hope you have a great weekend, and that your lives will be filled with blessings. Peace, my friends!

Because of Jesus,

Flashback Friday: Enough!

I never seek to be one of those bloggers who stirs up controversy and alienates a portion of his audience. But a little over a year and a half ago (2/19/2014) I felt the need to rant. After the events of yesterday, today I feel the need to share that post again. I am not asking you to agree with me. But sometimes we all have to take a stand...

I don't know how many of you are old enough to really remember the Popeye cartoons, but in nearly every episode the hero would reach a point of no return, when the circumstances around him had become more than he could put up with any longer. At those moments his catchphrase was, "That's all I can stands and I can't stands no more!" He would then pop open a can of spinach and smash a few bad guys. I always loved those moments, because I think we all have points in our lives when we just have to say ENOUGH! And today, I am there.

Despite my long held stance as a pacifist (because I believe that is what Jesus asks of us) I have long steered clear of the national debate about guns. My silence has been for 2 primary reasons. I find that most discussions of the topic become political rather than moral, and I have no desire to have political discussions about much of anything. And I have also witnessed that such debate seems to never change anyone's opinion. It turns into yet another case of "I'm right...and you're stupid!" So I have remained quiet.

I live in Florida. Lately there have been three shootings here that have garnered national attention for a variety of reasons. A young man was shot because he was dressed suspiciously and was therefore seen as a threat by a man who should have just left him alone. Another was killed when a man wanted some music turned down in a van at a gas station, thought he might have seen a gun (he didn't) and fired 10 shots into the vehicle to "protect himself." And most recently, a man was shot in a movie theater after he was asked to quit texting during the previews and threw popcorn at the man who asked. The shooter was a retired police officer. I am not here today to discuss the outcomes of the legal maneuverings surrounding these shootings. I am not here to discuss the racism that may well have been involved in the first two. I am here- crying ENOUGH!- because in all three of these situations there was absolutely no reason it should be legal for the men who did the shooting to be carrying firearms. None.

I understand when people feel the need to protect themselves and their families by keeping weapons in their homes. I choose not to, because I would never want to use such a weapon. But that's just me. I understand that people enjoy hunting and have guns to use for sport. I have good friends who love going to shooting ranges and blasting away at targets. I am not suggesting that all guns are a problem. But I am saying there is no good that can come from non-professionals walking the streets, driving around or sitting in movie theaters with guns. Guns in such situations make people stupidly brave and stupidly bold. People who carry guns may not plan to use them, but more and more it seems like they are more than willing to do just that. In all of those situations, words might have been exchanged. Maybe even angry words. But take away the guns and no one would be dead. If "stand your ground" laws mean that you can antagonize a person, and then if they respond in a negative manner you have the right to shoot them, then we have returned to the days of the wild west. Frontier justice. And if you check with the families of the those three dead men, I think you will find that such a return is not as romantic as it may sound.

I have no idea how to get USAmericans to get serious about this issue when special interest groups won't even discuss banning assault rifles, which serve no purpose except for killing people. I just know that concealed weapons in public places in the hands of the average Joe are a really bad idea. I do not want people wandering around with guns any more than I want my neighbors to have nuclear warheads in the garage. I mention these 3 cases, but there are hundreds more. I know many of my closest friends disagree with me on the evils of concealed weapons, but to be honest, today I don't care. I have had all I can stands...and I can't stands no more. Stop the insanity. I don't hate the 2nd amendment. I hate reading nearly every day about a senseless shooting in which someone loses a brother, a daughter, a parent or a friend. I pray we find a way to get guns off the street, because more and more it seems the "legal" weapons are doing as much damage as the illegal ones. And I, for one, have simply had ENOUGH!

Because of Jesus,

Throwback Thursday: Breathe Deep

Happy Throwback Thursday! Today we're blasting back to my youth pastor days at FUMC-Kissimmee, when we used to sing this weird song at youth group on Sunday evenings. At the time, I had never heard a recorded version of the song- I found it in the Songs & Creations songbook put together by one my heroes, Yohann Anderson. So we sort of made up our own version. We liked it because it was different. We liked it because it had a message of hope for the hurting, the outcast and the disenfranchised. And we liked it because it was full of big words we had to look up to actually get what the song was about! That group loved to sing- and this Terry Taylor tune was one of the songs we sang with gusto.


We live in a day and age when the Church universal struggles with how (and how much) we reach out out to the poor, the different, the hungry and the sin-filled. The fact is there should be no debate, as scripture seems very clear to me. The love of God is for everyone- including the very people from whom you and I seek to "protect" ourselves. We don't get to pick and choose the people who are in the family of God based on our prejudices and preferences. Everyone is entitled to breathe deep the breath of God. The more broken or damaged we are the more we need it. When we breathe in the essence of our loving God, things like fear and worry fade. And we begin to feel alive again.

So listen to and watch the video below from the band Lost Dogs. It turns out the old FUMC-K gang was pretty close on the melody. The lyrics are included, but you must follow closely to catch them all. If you have never heard the song before, I promise the listing of who should be allowed to "breathe deep" will stun you a bit. That's a good thing. And then when you are done listening, pray for the people in your life who need to feel grace and forgiveness from you, and who need to know that the breath of God is for them...too. Because one of those people may be you...

And one more thing. When we sang this song in Kissimmee we shouted the last line of the final verse with power, like the bold statement of faith it was meant to be. I hope you will feel the same way - that "EVERYBODY EVERYWHERE!!!" deserves to know they are safe in the arms of the love of God whose name is Jesus. Amen and Amen!

Because of Jesus,