tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31591125579608741832024-03-13T05:46:24.757-05:00OURANOS: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God...Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-7608540704435611562012-11-20T10:41:00.001-06:002012-11-20T11:31:44.235-06:00Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: center;">
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This is the scene that greeted us on Sunday morning. It was fascinating to see the water bubbling up and filling the ditch in front of our home. I had never seen water gushing out of the street. We called and soon the city superintendent and the city water supervisor showed up. They told me that a water main had broken. One of the things that led to its demise was how dry the ground was - there was a lot more flex to it. When we got home from church they had dug it up and repaired the breach.</div>
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I told them that watching the water gush had reminded me of Jed Clampett whose errant shot at a rabbit had made him a wealthy man. But, this was not Texas Tea or Black Gold. But, it was something very valuable. Water - clear, cool, drinkable, life-giving water.</div>
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I do not give much thought to the fact that for me to get water from my kitchen sink requires a whole system to function properly and efficiently. There are pipes and pressures and people that keep everything in working order. It would be hard to be without it - just ask some of the people who live along the northern portion of the eastern seaboard. Being thankful means noticing and recognizing that every good and perfect gift comes from above and this includes water. I am seeking to cultivate a heart of gratitude. So, thank the Lord for the supply of water and the people who keep it flowing and the pipes that bring it to my house. </div>
Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-7906499709349596632012-11-02T11:10:00.001-05:002012-11-02T11:10:20.283-05:00Promises, Promises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A little over a month ago, we had an amazingly vivid rainbow appear over Gibson City. The photo does not do it justice. Rainbows remind us of promises - in particular God's promise to not destroy the world again by flood - although the poor folks on the East coast may be wondering about this. </div>
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I have been thinking about promises. Currently, I am reading <i>Living Into Community</i> which is written by Christine Pohl. I recommend the book. It is about cultivating practices that are sustaining to us. One of those practices she addresses is promise keeping. Negatively she says: "When we break promises, we also betray relationships and erode community. Small betrayals often do a surprising amount of damage. They involve other broken practices - deception instead of speaking the truth, absence instead of welcome, grumbling and envy instead of gratitude". Ouch. Promise keeping can be complex. But, in most of our worlds, we need to make the call we promised to make, stay faithful to the mate we promised to stay faithful to, pray for the person we promised to pray for, and honor the Lord we vowed to honor. </div>
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The book has been a wonderful reminder for me. And, it makes me eternally grateful that God keeps His promises.</div>
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Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-92233695815527080942012-10-16T11:37:00.003-05:002012-10-16T11:40:29.857-05:00Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, we were blessed to have family visit. My brother came up from Louisiana so he could go to my son's football game and we could catch up on all that is going on in each of our lives. We spent a day hiking at Starved Rock and an evening at my daughter's home enjoying a nice meal together. It was a great visit. </span></div>
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T<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">he weekend after my brother came, my wife's parents came. It is an 8 hour trip for them and I really appreciate them making the drive over. We went to another football game and back to Lydia's again for supper. It was an additional blessing to have my oldest son and his wife join us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am thrilled when everyone can be together. There is a lot of laughter and it usually involves some great food. These visits are treasures not to be taken for granted. Family is something that you value more the older you get. They are a gift from the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am grateful for my "physical" family and I am grateful for my "spiritual" family - my brothers and sisters in Christ. It is also good when we get together. Like all families, we have our moments. Ultimately, we are bound together in Christ. This morning I read in the book of 1 Peter </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> May it be so.</span></div>
Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-13899646069453648852012-10-02T10:43:00.000-05:002012-10-03T10:07:29.720-05:00Gifts - A Ride in the Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thomas a Kempis: "Be thankful for the smallest blessing . . . Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and the simple graces as especial favors. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God."</div>
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I am a blessed man. Two weeks ago Eric J offered me the opportunity to take a ride with him in a Ford Tri-Motor. This particular airplane is 83 years old and is owned and operated by the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. They did an amazing job in restoring it. The Tri-Motor was built as a passenger plane. Later, it proved to be a reliable cargo plane. Some were used as forest fire fighters. About 200 were made.</div>
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The plane is noisy but comfortable. I loved the sound of the three reciprocating engines. We took off from the Bloomington airport and trundled over the city. It was not hard to image that we were back during the "golden age" of flying. Ten people could be seated in the airplane at once - not including the pilot and co-pilot. There was no in-flight entertainment or service! The flight lasted about 20 minutes.</div>
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This is the second vintage airplane I have flown in and both times it was through the kindness and generosity of others. I was thrilled with the flights. I am humbled by the kindness of the Gifts. Thanks, Eric, for an amazing afternoon. Remember - you can click on the pics for a larger version.</div>
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<br />Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-42333348403567935082012-09-18T19:25:00.000-05:002012-09-18T19:25:27.809-05:00Trucks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YbW9-yFj5_DpeychajCpsyuYbMjBhidtIFf91DgmR9QAByKrsmOjb_Lv3p_IclSE6WvLjdX3f656o4Bk3VgV7Dq-Qoowpk8E6GwfoSMBKlkPogMhlmqNNrawGTCPtCdsQq5smVMKYJob/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YbW9-yFj5_DpeychajCpsyuYbMjBhidtIFf91DgmR9QAByKrsmOjb_Lv3p_IclSE6WvLjdX3f656o4Bk3VgV7Dq-Qoowpk8E6GwfoSMBKlkPogMhlmqNNrawGTCPtCdsQq5smVMKYJob/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We like trucks. In particular, we like these two trucks. Typically, they would be considered "enemies". A Ford and Chevy - not usually seen together. One is mine (Chevy) and one is Aaron's (my 16 year old son) (Ford). They both come with a lot of baggage - good baggage. Mine was bought new by my father, was the vehicle I learned to drive in, was owned by my brother, and now resides at my house. It is a tangible link to a different time in my life and to someone I dearly loved but can no longer visit. I may drive it, but it is still - in many ways - my dad's. The Ford belonged to my daughter-in-law's grandfather. We bought it from her grandmother after her grandfather had passed away. His wife stood in the street and wept as we drove away but was consoled by knowing it was going to be kept in the family. Jamey's father (my daughter-in-law) had driven the truck to his job on a daily basis. He also passed away last year. Both trucks are haunted by memories and filled with histories. But, that is okay. We drive them with gratitude and with the realization they will probably never really be ours. </div><br />
Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-36078921640574344842012-09-13T11:44:00.001-05:002012-09-13T11:46:20.050-05:00Blade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Vw8Nu2HIYqd48vSBRXRcCHAf1UlzWzkfR3-PNv-09HbNaJe7SMSMYV9FAag8OTY6YwyTvn8AEYoUI43ejbA-bdj7082e4cP5TjsceRU9hfBB0yMsiUil8S-6iFDhPCT9lO04ovWrDmd/s1600/Windmill+Blades.3GP" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Db9e6a01a1843305e%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1349540056%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D20CF8897945EC7B9BA1D733A1F48790E4302B6F9.701778E0BC7AE5B7D948FBEDAFF57AA8DF4B58F3%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Db9e6a01a1843305e%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1349540056%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D20CF8897945EC7B9BA1D733A1F48790E4302B6F9.701778E0BC7AE5B7D948FBEDAFF57AA8DF4B58F3%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We saw these on a recent trip to Indiana. They were on a train - and there were LOTS of them - I only captured the last of them with my phone camera. It was a bit of a strange sight to pass all of these blades on a train - a place where they really do not fit. (Push the "play" button to see the video"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I am not sure how I feel about the windmills now populating the surrounding farm ground. I don't like the way they look, but I do find them intriguing. I am grateful for the jobs they have provided.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">They are one thing to see from a distance, but a whole different thing to stand under one and listen to the "swishing" of the blades. It gives me a bit of vertigo to stand right at their base. They look robotic - sentinenals to progress. I wonder what the folks who farmed the ground 50 years ago would think about it. </div><br />
Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-32835482650263361722012-09-11T08:51:00.000-05:002012-09-11T08:51:18.829-05:00Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lRnSMXZ-c64vmurBf1GnxHforeanTDKbT8OBRjd-TEiVPm89M4NdX4h9CKupMGcgurgIn6R4icl_bvvChjU-IRpzgmR4nyTJkQigFGV-qWM_qItUbXcfaQYX_Vukg7ABwRxHu9xU_5WR/s1600/A+A+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lRnSMXZ-c64vmurBf1GnxHforeanTDKbT8OBRjd-TEiVPm89M4NdX4h9CKupMGcgurgIn6R4icl_bvvChjU-IRpzgmR4nyTJkQigFGV-qWM_qItUbXcfaQYX_Vukg7ABwRxHu9xU_5WR/s320/A+A+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">I took this picture through my telescope. It was an American Airlines passenger jet headed south over my house late in the afternoon. The technology amazes me - all of that weight cruising through the air at 30,000 feet going 550 mph. It is phenominal. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">But, it is not simply a machine. It is a vehicle full of people. People going on vacation, people going to a funeral or a wedding, people who have business to do in another state, people who have never flown before and people for whom this is a weekly occurence. Who are these people? They are just like our neighbors, they are just like us.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">And so it was, 11 years ago today, that people boarded these technological wonders never anticipating that they would be used as weapons. Some of those people are now famous, but most are not and never will be. They were ordinary people doing ordinary things who got caught in an extra-ordinary event.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">It is not for nothing (forgive the double negative) that the Bible tells us to take it one day at a time. This is the day the Lord has made. Teach us, Lord, to number our days that we may apply our hearts toward wisdom.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><br />
Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-47145622311569726852012-09-04T08:32:00.000-05:002012-09-04T08:32:55.606-05:00Growing Up Poor<div style="text-align: justify;">It seems to me that a recent theme of politicians is to proclaim how poor their parents were. More often than not, candidates declare that their parents or grandparents immigrated to this country and rose up from the ashes of poverty to make something of themselves. It is a commendable story. But, it is not an uncommon story. Most of us who are now middle-aged could probably repeat the same account. I know that I could. Both of my parents grew up very poor. But, lots of Americans were very poor in the 20s and 30s. The "Great Depression" was as devastating as it was wide spread. The years following the second world war provided economic opportunity. My mother became a nurse and my father became a fireman in the Air Force. Both had "successful" careers and retired much more financially comfortable than their parents. As a result, my brother and I grew up with a lot more than did my parents. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Did my parents live the "American Dream"? Yes, if that dream is one of being more prosperous than their parents or grandparents. Did they work hard to provide a better lifestyle for their kids? Again, I am grateful to say "yes". I am very thankful for what they provided. I had and have opportunities they did not have and I don't take those for granted.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, to hear it told these days, financial prosperity or at least the opportunity to obtain financial prosperity is the greatest thing America has going for it. It is arrogant for someone who has not lived in grinding poverty and felt the effects of hunger, lack of medical care, and unsafe housing to say that he hopes we have something more to offer the world than money and the opportunity to make it. But, I do hope such a thing. Without character, money can become terribly corrupting. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is a photo of the house my Mom grew up in until she was a teenager. It did not look much better than this when she lived there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCga_u-Bob0ox3Lb0Jjb8jKmD10dgwnwvapDlsJbcT2HWScxApFgF6GkRAqDaVsul8e7I1miXuooNJuF_YJhZx91etS1GFEbnc9vaVG0UQ2OaJzqQi6xAJUu4pJkG1j3AffFrf5EfvUBNF/s1600/Mom's+Old+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCga_u-Bob0ox3Lb0Jjb8jKmD10dgwnwvapDlsJbcT2HWScxApFgF6GkRAqDaVsul8e7I1miXuooNJuF_YJhZx91etS1GFEbnc9vaVG0UQ2OaJzqQi6xAJUu4pJkG1j3AffFrf5EfvUBNF/s320/Mom's+Old+House.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-79574805938236939172012-08-30T08:22:00.000-05:002012-08-30T08:22:54.823-05:00Blue Moon<div style="text-align: justify;">"Once in a blue moon" is an old cliche expressing the rarity of an event. On the average, a "blue moon" happens every 2.7 years. It depends on who you ask, but most would say that a blue moon is when there are two full moons in a single month. That celestial event occurs this month, August 2012. To be specific, it transpires this Friday, August 31st. The weather is calling for clouds and rain. But, if there is an opening in the night sky - slip out and look at the blue moon. Here is a picture I took of a full moon from last year - I happened to have colored it blue. Blue moons are the same color the moon always is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hyphenhyphensfVIM3si9f2R4jsdBhHqMOpbZvXXdfMGJ8UiR29GQzaMS75Qqi7jttOKoTS-lHJA96Tt__FNkHUsW3yUqLARnXB4-rjmkmx2DGu1BdBo9VDVsTFByDLwUjvt4ZOPryL4ajqaHRJ7n0/s1600/Full+Moon+A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hyphenhyphensfVIM3si9f2R4jsdBhHqMOpbZvXXdfMGJ8UiR29GQzaMS75Qqi7jttOKoTS-lHJA96Tt__FNkHUsW3yUqLARnXB4-rjmkmx2DGu1BdBo9VDVsTFByDLwUjvt4ZOPryL4ajqaHRJ7n0/s320/Full+Moon+A.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-73596150308388705412012-08-27T10:36:00.000-05:002012-08-27T10:36:28.146-05:00Moon Struck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoH3btlaIvWo6jvPzCrrgqvFRCjuhmnTZWBMP308Hmt_fOcS5T1-s4ScDUKFlthtHEi26pEtQzAHXxC831gEmNgqoOX8XrMhKrwjr37qfHICRW1rIUDe4kBf6jyFJOJe8xNh9Z8AhweTO/s1600/Moon+August+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoH3btlaIvWo6jvPzCrrgqvFRCjuhmnTZWBMP308Hmt_fOcS5T1-s4ScDUKFlthtHEi26pEtQzAHXxC831gEmNgqoOX8XrMhKrwjr37qfHICRW1rIUDe4kBf6jyFJOJe8xNh9Z8AhweTO/s320/Moon+August+2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I love looking at the moon. A lot of folks who look through telescopes are most excited when there is a "new moon" which means there is no moon visible during the night. The light of the moon tends to wash out the light of distant nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. In other words, the darker the night sky the better.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, God made the moon as the lesser light to rule the night. There is nothing quite like a full moon on a clear night when the ground is covered with snow. And when the moon is waxing, like it was like week when I took this photo, it shows amazing detail along the lunar limb - the edge of the visible surface. Click on the photo to enlarge it and look at some of the detail. Some have even photographed lunar impacts - an amazing feat. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Neil Armstrong died this past weekend. I remember clearly where I was when he stepped onto the surface of the moon. It was a long way from Melder, Louisiana to Tranquility Base. But, somehow, there was a connection - a human one. A man was on another planet. You cannot see what is left of his lunar lander through my telescope. But, you can see the mare where he and Buzz landed. And, you can try to imagine what it must have been like to step onto its surface. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Go out and look up. The moon is a wonderful sight to behold. Sometimes God's greatest creations are too easily overlooked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefgsxr_dEZ-zHP1b1wyYpWk3NxbERDSaJoFHJM3rnIG3AWRQibx4TEHuOj-nvRMpgpHlrDk4bYnQDsIZwRVD5mKF10-jnqV7vlWwusVazYUDZkA0yaE5aU8amoPI3b1THJPAGOSebW7XZ/s1600/Moon+near.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefgsxr_dEZ-zHP1b1wyYpWk3NxbERDSaJoFHJM3rnIG3AWRQibx4TEHuOj-nvRMpgpHlrDk4bYnQDsIZwRVD5mKF10-jnqV7vlWwusVazYUDZkA0yaE5aU8amoPI3b1THJPAGOSebW7XZ/s320/Moon+near.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-40450597102870418632012-08-23T08:37:00.000-05:002012-08-23T08:37:49.862-05:00For the Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H-qz6nz9-Pf_FN60CQaCWVdmvHTt3cC1Hk-jzHAVy9LOjbjJyrwn65Inyo8VeIP8WhA_jNTgSi8rXK1llZCnUh83zLeqXmo2mvCVnshDvxPyGPxYH7ma1PzTLeGIR5tjTf2I-t5AlUSM/s1600/Gold+Finch+B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H-qz6nz9-Pf_FN60CQaCWVdmvHTt3cC1Hk-jzHAVy9LOjbjJyrwn65Inyo8VeIP8WhA_jNTgSi8rXK1llZCnUh83zLeqXmo2mvCVnshDvxPyGPxYH7ma1PzTLeGIR5tjTf2I-t5AlUSM/s320/Gold+Finch+B.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Lord told us to be bird watchers. We are to observe the sparrows and from them learn lessons about God's care for us. Birds are fun. Like humans, they tend to come in all different shapes and sizes. I try to provide food plots (wildflowers and bird feeders) and water so as to attract birds to my yard. I am delighted when we have yellow finches stop by. They seem particularly attracted to our sunflowers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Exq-ZT1tbw7Kb5fJ-U6aNp2-ZgmMuRVjrpgvdkC_2fhtTbWWIG_PVFmjutFh2Wcwye6yc5_-aLawOK9FjmlxFKoUyRtRfOTUIxd_YsqGeBMErccWWlpbqkbdNPE0Sl_p1ZebUeI60MXT/s1600/Dove+B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Exq-ZT1tbw7Kb5fJ-U6aNp2-ZgmMuRVjrpgvdkC_2fhtTbWWIG_PVFmjutFh2Wcwye6yc5_-aLawOK9FjmlxFKoUyRtRfOTUIxd_YsqGeBMErccWWlpbqkbdNPE0Sl_p1ZebUeI60MXT/s320/Dove+B.JPG" width="320" /></a>We also have doves dropping in for visits. They like to park on this wire in the backyard. I love the sound of their "cooing". It is rather melancholic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6a95L8irYnLRKex3SqOdslhzeskPW4zqYBKdIHhd8OrFy_T1uhmvxYa8IXTQVLiACkTxF-XOL1x2elNAXCw7_DInrAPRLKGY27zW8uoUwAbf5mGxGS6yIRnLZNw8lzx4WDMGDJVbC8j4/s1600/DSC_0060_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6a95L8irYnLRKex3SqOdslhzeskPW4zqYBKdIHhd8OrFy_T1uhmvxYa8IXTQVLiACkTxF-XOL1x2elNAXCw7_DInrAPRLKGY27zW8uoUwAbf5mGxGS6yIRnLZNw8lzx4WDMGDJVbC8j4/s320/DSC_0060_filtered.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And, we get hummingbirds. They make me smile. The honeysuckle brings them in as does the butterfly bush.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">All these birds are gifts from the Lord to remind us of His creative power, His love of beauty, and His daily providential care. Do some bird watching these late summer days.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And, take your camera when you do so. I photographed all these in my yard - birds can be shy so you may need to be sly.</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-48049382152798954992012-08-21T10:22:00.000-05:002012-08-21T10:22:50.461-05:00Let It Rain!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3fHEbGdYtQbxmXqlr8h7hMQrQqzi5Q2qE-yGjJhFgL0Mk2AwcKRkbi-1cXMSrp0ohRbwurp4ESAto4oDI5Hree1s4w3b6VSGx2LWcpr3Xw1GIPQF8ryg0JlclPqsP6ftVK8bmevyzhM2/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3fHEbGdYtQbxmXqlr8h7hMQrQqzi5Q2qE-yGjJhFgL0Mk2AwcKRkbi-1cXMSrp0ohRbwurp4ESAto4oDI5Hree1s4w3b6VSGx2LWcpr3Xw1GIPQF8ryg0JlclPqsP6ftVK8bmevyzhM2/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We were delighted last evening to look out and see a rainbow. Rainbows are free pleasures - God's gift - a symbol of grace. I took this picture at the end of our street looking west. Rainbows mean rain and the rain did and was falling.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YUvImcDcMKvPtYr2lnKandTE2FR4_WV1OOysFc6fQXYRdmL_r6lxG7kRmWZHa2V_YQLX1mrbhAVefRO5xvxjtSLfdGHWqdqQg7gWY0TSfBf8p7UT0TM2GrdN7zaeesaGkCkrg0AB1IT8/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YUvImcDcMKvPtYr2lnKandTE2FR4_WV1OOysFc6fQXYRdmL_r6lxG7kRmWZHa2V_YQLX1mrbhAVefRO5xvxjtSLfdGHWqdqQg7gWY0TSfBf8p7UT0TM2GrdN7zaeesaGkCkrg0AB1IT8/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We have a greater appreciation for rain these days. The drought has made us (me?) take it a lot less for granted. The rain falls on the just and the unjust says the Scripture. And, the drought also comes to the just and the unjust. I don't know that I understand or can explain the why of either. This summer, some folks have gotten rain that others could only see from a distance. You cannot lasso a rain cloud and pull it over your farm. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPv34coZpTSwcFZPFfd7SBlBmkpaxrgvHVkCe8g4hyphenhyphen9rgHM5L8geHN7B0xh3EUN1vQj1hoVtHYmhJSJ4MKEDgOX2ismAgyjUmNP48542q8b4WETOE9tqs-qJxXdCjaftwfDPUbZA515B0/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPv34coZpTSwcFZPFfd7SBlBmkpaxrgvHVkCe8g4hyphenhyphen9rgHM5L8geHN7B0xh3EUN1vQj1hoVtHYmhJSJ4MKEDgOX2ismAgyjUmNP48542q8b4WETOE9tqs-qJxXdCjaftwfDPUbZA515B0/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a>There is something refreshing about rain. It seems to cleanse the air and the earth. There is a certain smell that comes with rain and the reduced temperatures are nice as well. I hoped it rained at your house. And, I hope that I am more conscious of rain in the days to come. It is a blessing from above for which I want to offer thanks.</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-73882374103694875102012-08-14T08:34:00.000-05:002012-08-14T08:34:02.230-05:00Election Selection?<div style="text-align: justify;">This year my brother and I visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force which is located in Dayton, Ohio. If you read the post below, you will recognize that it was something my wife insisted on. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY1C_HPONYVI4eua2ZyKVfVTW0Dyvf8-jEZDKXmUr3JmubRbiqvEQumtGw-fbp4mbHNBXKmCuO5pLSp-hFx2-XbM7DxUVVRSI83VIvtpztJVWr4GYDvR_BR8w90TRNS5YtFJyS32Xrvp1/s1600/air-force-one-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY1C_HPONYVI4eua2ZyKVfVTW0Dyvf8-jEZDKXmUr3JmubRbiqvEQumtGw-fbp4mbHNBXKmCuO5pLSp-hFx2-XbM7DxUVVRSI83VIvtpztJVWr4GYDvR_BR8w90TRNS5YtFJyS32Xrvp1/s320/air-force-one-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While there, we climbed aboard Sam 2600 - Air Force One to President Kennedy and President Johnson. It was cool to think about the places this jet had been. And, it was also a bit sad - it was the means of bringing President Kennedy's body from Texas to Washington in the fall of 1963.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8V3f25tNaefq2s68ptgy_iWstctpXmwmDuJNxX6x-OQbKOi6pRqHjCvATLJ_GMZU03opJFOXvXWHzQOQoiX2na8ROwPHqPafYKJi1GIFuUM53nPtLySFsretw3T51JFcB5JAOudxF861/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8V3f25tNaefq2s68ptgy_iWstctpXmwmDuJNxX6x-OQbKOi6pRqHjCvATLJ_GMZU03opJFOXvXWHzQOQoiX2na8ROwPHqPafYKJi1GIFuUM53nPtLySFsretw3T51JFcB5JAOudxF861/s320/DSC_0238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My brother took this "presidential" picture as I exited the plane this Spring. You can see the seal of the president on the door. I could not resist giving the peace sign - in honor of the imagery of President Nixon as he departed the White House.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdI4pKxZmPGM02YvIvr911Os4NHVx8p50CVnAvtVi-1oWjs5s87yzQ1ho0wPvv5Yw2VjfnIJSpigQVtlUTZEI20TDwBjF0gUfAVtnzC-T9X-eu-FlFFhtyCfkRmqgXeejBbQg6drXO0ac/s1600/DSC_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdI4pKxZmPGM02YvIvr911Os4NHVx8p50CVnAvtVi-1oWjs5s87yzQ1ho0wPvv5Yw2VjfnIJSpigQVtlUTZEI20TDwBjF0gUfAVtnzC-T9X-eu-FlFFhtyCfkRmqgXeejBbQg6drXO0ac/s320/DSC_0235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Who are you going to vote for President in November? It is a privilege to be part of the process. The president has some awesome perks including a jet in which to tool around the world. He does not have to wait in line, take his shoes off for security, sit in cramped seats next to a guy who is either snoring or talking your ear off. He gets good food, has the bathroom to himself, and gets priority placement when it comes to landing and taking off. But, with those perks comes some heavy responsibilities and risks. It is amazing how being president seems to age people dramatically. We are exhorted in the Scripture to pray for them. Governments are raised up by God and governments are put down by God. Ultimately, it is to Him that we look for our help and our strength.</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-51314079076527122532012-08-09T11:45:00.000-05:002012-08-09T11:45:48.976-05:00Musuem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE19iXQNRtwfBk4PZYZJ1CdJ7S2xDvAIuh_mhpTTzrXHNoR9BphPLJQsERkMdstAcYJKbSOlFV_g2uBWHuVRkmyLjnwwQnMsCOFxv_7e1qp4Ez74IV78mETxG2zR4DMyDZhJKZ71tXv-zO/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE19iXQNRtwfBk4PZYZJ1CdJ7S2xDvAIuh_mhpTTzrXHNoR9BphPLJQsERkMdstAcYJKbSOlFV_g2uBWHuVRkmyLjnwwQnMsCOFxv_7e1qp4Ez74IV78mETxG2zR4DMyDZhJKZ71tXv-zO/s320/DSC_0223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm9MV8QMv-j7RFCIKG9wRIGlme7I6QJl4JUIgpGMB2dFaStHfvao_oAXRfbL7AZuJ67ie51XDbjsDm34czNwT738s9XM_NaHHHY4n2Na7huKmVdYPInyk9_iL59JzF8C-leU_DuRMvpe8/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm9MV8QMv-j7RFCIKG9wRIGlme7I6QJl4JUIgpGMB2dFaStHfvao_oAXRfbL7AZuJ67ie51XDbjsDm34czNwT738s9XM_NaHHHY4n2Na7huKmVdYPInyk9_iL59JzF8C-leU_DuRMvpe8/s320/DSC_0196.JPG" width="320" /></a>On our recent 30th anniversary trip, my wife insisted that we stop at the Robbins AFB museum just outside of Macon, Georgia. No matter where we go she seems to be able to sniff out these collections of airplanes. She compels me to stop - and then finds a shade tree where she can read a good book. I am left to peruse the artifacts of the museum all alone - not something I particularly enjoy. It would be much better were she by my side - sighing the whole time, looking at her watch, and trying not to fall asleep on her feet. Her enjoyment and ecstasy is almost uncontrollable at airplane museums.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAO8dneD9xmpHAmTnfuJFMO2tjshyXBQUFZoYOQ_-Wt9qXa7C99rvh5v0bj7114-MnVD6OD7NmC_5T3mo1nc4VvzZxCWo0-X0Tu0Ofge9rbsXqi1O07ifaKRPuyhxvxfHmvcT01QUvyLL/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAO8dneD9xmpHAmTnfuJFMO2tjshyXBQUFZoYOQ_-Wt9qXa7C99rvh5v0bj7114-MnVD6OD7NmC_5T3mo1nc4VvzZxCWo0-X0Tu0Ofge9rbsXqi1O07ifaKRPuyhxvxfHmvcT01QUvyLL/s320/DSC_0184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If your wife loves air plane museums, I would encourage you to stop at the one by Robbins AFB. They have a wonderful collection. It is one of the cleanest museums in which I have been and the people who volunteer/work there are wonderful. <br />
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If you get there soon after they open - which is when Connie really wanted to be there - you have the whole museum practically to yourself. It was a bit lonely walking among all of these amazing airplanes without anyone sighing or rushing me, but, I figured that I would do it - for her.<br />
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I happen to like museums as well. It is intriguing to get up close and personal with all sorts of things - in this case very complex machines that did some very amazing things. But, there is also a certain melancholy at a museum. These are stabled horses which will never roam the ranges again. Churches must not become museums They can - if we do not allow the Spirit to have His way with us. He brings life - and that more abundantly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRo5T9ezfPvFHq8qbGFGSNm_uUNvj1lwbEsS6LZ_gL2SwOtBI-U2bU0CRLGFpoJZqBPnfJEbsE_C_hnmYlM_dQKaJUM7zom4XQQdCX571n8BmkRghCyyek9kDEL8gL9kDZBiahqSGm0rb/s1600/DSC_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRo5T9ezfPvFHq8qbGFGSNm_uUNvj1lwbEsS6LZ_gL2SwOtBI-U2bU0CRLGFpoJZqBPnfJEbsE_C_hnmYlM_dQKaJUM7zom4XQQdCX571n8BmkRghCyyek9kDEL8gL9kDZBiahqSGm0rb/s320/DSC_0221.JPG" width="320" /></a>Here is one last photo of Connie joyfully standing near a B-1B - at least that is what she told me it was. Doesn't she look happy?Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-11973708306245330672012-08-06T13:24:00.000-05:002012-08-06T13:24:23.171-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWQxr9frMJFQRl4hCA4YG72fVBn_oR2qzb1VV9xvooprLlIJsHZCZZWQBwrFq79YHCYkI0y2h-jAf2t_oR6q61FViSVLqkGoaOhiA-xIQ96YflfwAatw_q80iufGIg6wrJQFZT8ClPQjO/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWQxr9frMJFQRl4hCA4YG72fVBn_oR2qzb1VV9xvooprLlIJsHZCZZWQBwrFq79YHCYkI0y2h-jAf2t_oR6q61FViSVLqkGoaOhiA-xIQ96YflfwAatw_q80iufGIg6wrJQFZT8ClPQjO/s640/DSC_0020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtrs6foUhXQzqtBsusLdEhWq7MaSprNg6XTYMMTX_tkZxNmOkH_jWWs02mWNtRtcxrGn1DVxFPCPJmtQJnHT48NedC-PS3KHUtuFRMWvPz95h3an8Ait3Fw291M6JSHIf6ziTA3JMuHoF/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtrs6foUhXQzqtBsusLdEhWq7MaSprNg6XTYMMTX_tkZxNmOkH_jWWs02mWNtRtcxrGn1DVxFPCPJmtQJnHT48NedC-PS3KHUtuFRMWvPz95h3an8Ait3Fw291M6JSHIf6ziTA3JMuHoF/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
This is the porch on a cabin near Asheville, N.C. Connie and I recently met some friends here and visited for a few days - often on this porch. For me, it was the best part of the cabin. It was a place to visit, to read, to look out and see the woods around us. <br />
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When we moved to Gibson City, my wife had prayed for a house with a porch. The Lord graciously answered her prayer. She loves it and I love it. This summer, it has been a bit hot to sit there during the day. But, the mornings and evenings on it are nice.<br />
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Porches are good for us. They invite us to leave the confines of our homes and step out. I will never allow a television on the porch. We do sometimes listen to some music while sitting there. Porches help us to see the world around us. Our neighbors may even get to know us through the vehicle of the porch.<br />
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My dad was a porch sitter. He especially enjoyed a porch after a rain or late in the afternoon. Rocking chairs were invented for porches. So was ice tea. I hope you are able to enjoy a porch. If not, you can come and borrow ours some time.Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-51963353426193217522012-03-06T13:29:00.000-06:002012-03-06T13:29:45.158-06:00Planets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n3KYYvDb6nHe7_sOqgS9vxuu6xzk-GWTXo7x1cy_9hCaECiEW-Bu229fMV5RXKC2GTOjlLsNTmJnfubJAqxuPE6w4k3H09SLOEqdBVAhTnbJ2qQrPP5rSFBtKkQufnbrTBh6BFSlffmf/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n3KYYvDb6nHe7_sOqgS9vxuu6xzk-GWTXo7x1cy_9hCaECiEW-Bu229fMV5RXKC2GTOjlLsNTmJnfubJAqxuPE6w4k3H09SLOEqdBVAhTnbJ2qQrPP5rSFBtKkQufnbrTBh6BFSlffmf/s320/DSC_0044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am writing this in early March. Last evening, while I was walking Hoss the Boss, I was thrilled to note that I could see four planets. Low in the West was Mercury. Up higher, again in the West, was Jupiter and Venus. When I turned and faced the East - I could see the rusty colored planet Mars. Four planets on one walk! It was awesome. Be sure and go out on a clear night and look for yourself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I took the above photo was in late February. In it, you can see the Pleiades and Taurus the Bull. The Pleiades (also known as the Seven Sisters) are low and center. Taurus looks like an arrow head pointing downward to the left of the Pleiades.</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-91985909181386726212012-02-21T11:42:00.000-06:002012-02-21T11:42:11.624-06:00"Bonjour"!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1QnVYbJxPup0Z6U7iUTqQc6hdbGkClnIP3GmEjJC9kQBotSR_0nGKBovDlMMTihU8lvjok7CWAqtdscLpx4lj6HcvSs_WOx9DM-UjQbJClGqrASBde1WAXFiTKiWdwnGBqFrsl_y8Bfo/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1QnVYbJxPup0Z6U7iUTqQc6hdbGkClnIP3GmEjJC9kQBotSR_0nGKBovDlMMTihU8lvjok7CWAqtdscLpx4lj6HcvSs_WOx9DM-UjQbJClGqrASBde1WAXFiTKiWdwnGBqFrsl_y8Bfo/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkz-ynGIDdf1h4jE9mm_dPR1yY7pNRarW6S_Z_rh-wagIDwt2JrbudpSkdRjA1ETTtY-bsiJBUnQp0sqcy9xDka3DGjNTK9yUZAFkoilM810KB7TX62J9f1cpMrCahiAAaJZdy0u-0dvq/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkz-ynGIDdf1h4jE9mm_dPR1yY7pNRarW6S_Z_rh-wagIDwt2JrbudpSkdRjA1ETTtY-bsiJBUnQp0sqcy9xDka3DGjNTK9yUZAFkoilM810KB7TX62J9f1cpMrCahiAAaJZdy0u-0dvq/s200/DSC_0016.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese Course</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">In late October, Connie and I had a delicious treat. Our dear friend, Don Foster, (who lives in France) asked if he could prepare us a full course French dinner. How can you say no? It was a culinary delight. Don is a very talented and able chef. There were five courses in all and the meal took about four hours to eat. Each course was different and each course was delicious. My only complaint - by the end of the meal I was a bit overwhelmed. There was one course I was not too thrilled about. It had a stinky cheese. It was a bit strong for my taste. Otherwise, however, the food was amazing. There was goose and chicken and pasta and chocolate and shrimp - but not all together. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is so good for us to step out of our culture. It broadens our appreciation of the world in which we live. And, the meal was a wonderful act of service by a dear brother who was seeking to encourage us during a rather difficult time in our lives. He succeeded. We laughed a lot and we ate a lot and we rejoiced in our hope and shared our faith. It never ceases to amaze me how we can, in the providence of God and the love of others, be so blessed. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjkqN4GjcoTZwXu-MUD-HRtnZaEVrAsI-sRsx7elHXt8v8YQBoNxXZsqZNzJxjaeNYsDDzrzoPchCxdP2mH1-HELv-AlHIXCG-DZFYhECO9jRcRTLqU_e7etkjUgl0oQhioAwahjMQ_ix/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjkqN4GjcoTZwXu-MUD-HRtnZaEVrAsI-sRsx7elHXt8v8YQBoNxXZsqZNzJxjaeNYsDDzrzoPchCxdP2mH1-HELv-AlHIXCG-DZFYhECO9jRcRTLqU_e7etkjUgl0oQhioAwahjMQ_ix/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-80015566220692049492011-09-28T10:06:00.000-05:002011-09-28T10:06:07.971-05:00Wedding Weekend<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/312502_181418021932335_100001924153858_411961_1961655559_n.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This weekend was a wedding celebration for my son Drew and his beautiful wife Jamey. It would be incorrect to say that they were married this weekend. That had actually occurred earlier this summer in Carle hospital. Jamey's father was in ICU and they wanted him present for their wedding. 15 or so of us gathered there and had one of the most moving ceremonies in which I have ever had the privilege of participating. Sadly, he passed away the day after.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On September 24th, we gathered to celebrate their marriage. And celebrate we did. They planned a moving ceremony full of love and emotion. Personal vows were written and read. Music was played that reflected their love and commitment. After the ceremony, we moved into a pavilion for roasted hog, potatoes, green beans, and some of the best cupcakes I have ever eaten. There was live music, dancing, and wine. People laughed, some cried, a lot visited and, as far as I know, a good time was had by all. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am very grateful for a blessed day and even more grateful for having a blessed family. To God be the Glory.</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-47784928004183534422011-09-28T10:05:00.000-05:002011-09-28T10:05:41.163-05:00Surprise Surprise!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBPcC7Z-zsPw9p064YJHx5hxli7F8hBowKQ0V3-QXbXSJaf7JDCeDQmN6_w8bw4w0Vs6hn4DI7EC0TXh88RHKIfWbmu2c9QEbdevQnJ7Auwk1dQef2uu8UckpX5ZYqXyIrIkzgFfvwlbh/s1600/Lydia+and+Tyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBPcC7Z-zsPw9p064YJHx5hxli7F8hBowKQ0V3-QXbXSJaf7JDCeDQmN6_w8bw4w0Vs6hn4DI7EC0TXh88RHKIfWbmu2c9QEbdevQnJ7Auwk1dQef2uu8UckpX5ZYqXyIrIkzgFfvwlbh/s320/Lydia+and+Tyler.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Some surprises are not very nice. I was diagnosed with cancer this summer - surprise - not nice. Some surprises are awesome. My wonderful daughter calls her mother and me and informs us that she is married. She had done what she had said she would do - eloped. I guess it should not have been a complete surprise. She and Tyler, a handsome young man she had dated since high school, had decided to be a bit less traditional and do a "ten dollar - ten minute" wedding. It was not a spontaneous decision on their part. They had thought long and hard about it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I now have a son-in-law. He loves my daughter and is very good to her. I am grateful to have him as an addition to our family. They are doing well. Now, if they will only surprise me with some grandchildren!!!!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7LnM_eZc2OZMH-hNgc0WYrv0pSy8INrfQDtfTL0vQLSLSkA0v3n_wzC2wDOlFgg9FApZ5Hopvy0ph3iDPX_OZ1AFbcpQY1fg5BH3UqmkcUsfoo2g1QdNSTrQ1WbV5u5TuUWxZ2sJAmNF/s1600/Lydia+and+Tyler+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7LnM_eZc2OZMH-hNgc0WYrv0pSy8INrfQDtfTL0vQLSLSkA0v3n_wzC2wDOlFgg9FApZ5Hopvy0ph3iDPX_OZ1AFbcpQY1fg5BH3UqmkcUsfoo2g1QdNSTrQ1WbV5u5TuUWxZ2sJAmNF/s320/Lydia+and+Tyler+B.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-56317136856132499562011-09-13T17:05:00.000-05:002011-09-13T17:05:50.261-05:00Things In The Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhsTdo2y7BJiEGWMeR57b-X4uTIQleCW-n9ShlSB0TibEItcg6KuGTEyEl03nI_5mDlJf3klJ98OI4QLaAesDAPe7rfgnrHnvrgEv5LcD6ozVa5jitrVt6G-TD_vl-eK5Hn-xxHDiFh63/s1600/Crop+Duster+Pilot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhsTdo2y7BJiEGWMeR57b-X4uTIQleCW-n9ShlSB0TibEItcg6KuGTEyEl03nI_5mDlJf3klJ98OI4QLaAesDAPe7rfgnrHnvrgEv5LcD6ozVa5jitrVt6G-TD_vl-eK5Hn-xxHDiFh63/s320/Crop+Duster+Pilot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I am back. I left the blog world and moved over to the Caring Bridge world because of recent health issues. And, it has been a whirl-wind summer. I am still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that my two older children are married - both in unusual circumstances and I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. All of that I will write about in this blog. But, I also want to write about stuff I have seen in the air this summer. I am always looking up. It is amazing what you can see if you do.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The above plane is an Air Tractor AT502. Better known to us as a "crop duster". It is registered in Colorado, actually. But it was spraying a field near my house this summer. It is a beautiful plane - especially the bright yellow against a clear blue sky. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6v19iDKpqaAXy5cF0CkIKPzp3THl4lbWm4cYiEM8HUZL6Mi04stals6hz5fiQ6ncPMWUsFEc6vBBBCtDCtaiuO_RgHQSXDzntS01izBepAgDNNYmWFXgmJRyqHUo_omL1hZWeXpOGrYO/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6v19iDKpqaAXy5cF0CkIKPzp3THl4lbWm4cYiEM8HUZL6Mi04stals6hz5fiQ6ncPMWUsFEc6vBBBCtDCtaiuO_RgHQSXDzntS01izBepAgDNNYmWFXgmJRyqHUo_omL1hZWeXpOGrYO/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Watching a crop duster is like watching a private air show. The pilot dips and turns and twists with amazing dexterity. And, it is pretty exciting to see a plane that low that close. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqSnRAQz0qqUJr6n0bUXHrdy-P8em8hkEJ_IoqalyOdqCU-LIhDiUZPC1q4ApK78evMyYEIToQssRrvzHb6tJsbGj0SyNdPIjzSeIb4qt0CRMjSXjnrVZpTlfzUAV6421hdTC1Il5suFu/s1600/Crop+Duster+Close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqSnRAQz0qqUJr6n0bUXHrdy-P8em8hkEJ_IoqalyOdqCU-LIhDiUZPC1q4ApK78evMyYEIToQssRrvzHb6tJsbGj0SyNdPIjzSeIb4qt0CRMjSXjnrVZpTlfzUAV6421hdTC1Il5suFu/s320/Crop+Duster+Close.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Looking up helps me keep perspective. It can also be pretty entertaining.</div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-91707372555380208582011-04-15T09:00:00.000-05:002011-04-15T09:00:34.009-05:00On the Other Side<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXRGmHVIEaQuSKOLpBm_mODfieNI6MmXVLOvsmFcmTOtIfObay7hfzBA1BMTeYOpvN1cvC_op-PYOFWjkXywfSgJyewN7fyepcfwMgw-jyxJ4oSqYqmXOke-JyyHNHVWRjM6wwKkaLLn-/s1600/Drew+and+Jamey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXRGmHVIEaQuSKOLpBm_mODfieNI6MmXVLOvsmFcmTOtIfObay7hfzBA1BMTeYOpvN1cvC_op-PYOFWjkXywfSgJyewN7fyepcfwMgw-jyxJ4oSqYqmXOke-JyyHNHVWRjM6wwKkaLLn-/s320/Drew+and+Jamey.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have been to a lot of weddings in my life. The vast majority of them found me up front. Before me would be the nervous and excited, anxious and animated bride and groom. I had the best "seat in the house" for watching the two of them look at each other with wonder, love, and gratitude as they speak their vows. It never ceases to amaze me as I hear them pledge their lives to one another - and to pray that they will seek God's grace as they come to understand just what it is they are doing. I think of the Scripture: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>There are three things that are too amazing for me,</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">four that I do not understand:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">the way of an eagle in the sky,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> the way of a snake on a rock,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">the way of a ship on the high seas,</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i> and the way of a man with a young woman</i>.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the first time, I am going to be on the other side. My oldest son Drew has discovered his soul-mate in Jamey. And, in early fall, they are to be married. I am discovering what it means to watch your child that only yesterday you were teaching to ride a bike or drive a car or throw a baseball become a man, find his way, pledge his love, and start his family. His mother and I are proud of him and have come to know and love Jamey. She is smart and pretty and she loves my son and she is kind to us. So, I will sit on the other side of this one, proud and emotional, laughing and crying, praying and hoping. </span></div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-2766089489787016462011-04-07T09:16:00.000-05:002011-04-07T09:16:42.412-05:00Cruising<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjf6mCG0omfx2c9wCQqoUTmfxqqqDgIprwFPJG7xT9LB4a1StsU7GQp82Z2YuZr7QFUtDrBD7YzDRTjR75QqhKtKbLfsIeS1bNTMO1wsuHS9vcCmNJoObkUA3pHpxdDhJfpAuvI8ccLRBr/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjf6mCG0omfx2c9wCQqoUTmfxqqqDgIprwFPJG7xT9LB4a1StsU7GQp82Z2YuZr7QFUtDrBD7YzDRTjR75QqhKtKbLfsIeS1bNTMO1wsuHS9vcCmNJoObkUA3pHpxdDhJfpAuvI8ccLRBr/s320/DSC_0131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Where are these folks going? You ever look up and wonder? I shot this jet at cruising altitude through my 102mm refractor using a Nikon D40 hooked directly to the telescope. Watching jets fly over is interesting. It is amazing how many people are overhead on any given day. Imagine the stories of all the folks on this one plane. Some may be headed out on a long overdue vacation while others are going to buried a loved one. Maybe we should pray for the people who are jetting over us. And, never lose the fascination of the invention. All of that weight - thousands of pounds - five or six miles above the surface of the earth going over 500 mph. Pretty impressive.Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-84773010181888872992011-03-17T15:33:00.000-05:002011-03-17T15:33:18.174-05:00Whacked!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmp5PBbD4pVWEX8k9VZ4J04nZM7P9BXZZ3bkbMeVm7IyzZTQTLlN97vd44tLsHWQwcEmRj5LDZQlRyjwCZ-96-OlDdDQaBJDm5o5UdBXOUVX4gR1Oz1O3ADqOEl1Eknpz_5nM8mhRtbvy/s1600/Blackeye+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmp5PBbD4pVWEX8k9VZ4J04nZM7P9BXZZ3bkbMeVm7IyzZTQTLlN97vd44tLsHWQwcEmRj5LDZQlRyjwCZ-96-OlDdDQaBJDm5o5UdBXOUVX4gR1Oz1O3ADqOEl1Eknpz_5nM8mhRtbvy/s320/Blackeye+C.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has been an interesting week! I told someone that this is what happens when you tell folks to "Repent"! The truth is, this is what happens when a 53 year old father challenges his almost 15 year old son to a game of basketball. Son says "I'm gonna drive the lane". Dad says "No your not!" Son does, dad doesn't. Aaron felt bad about it, but I assured him it was not his fault. His elbow looks much better than my eye. The eye will heal, but I am not so sure I will challenge him again. Maybe we will just play "Horse". </div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-77397616541749332842011-03-14T13:19:00.000-05:002011-03-14T13:19:53.435-05:00Wild Game Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMcAst_vo3x_K5l4Hpa4lMcfJpckdmUJugspL0GB_MIaXB1RsK9QbopTtyhhINAVjhTAhQTUSH008pFbB6ATn4JFUrGSu5SYaLzE3E2xUSrygiJZ98a6-upGR8opKXm1iCd7Jidpx7V2T/s1600/Wild+Game+Dinner+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMcAst_vo3x_K5l4Hpa4lMcfJpckdmUJugspL0GB_MIaXB1RsK9QbopTtyhhINAVjhTAhQTUSH008pFbB6ATn4JFUrGSu5SYaLzE3E2xUSrygiJZ98a6-upGR8opKXm1iCd7Jidpx7V2T/s320/Wild+Game+Dinner+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This photo does not do justice to the setting of the first annual GCBC Wild Game Dinner. Gloria and Bob Dickey decorated and the place looked awesome. Almost 50 guys showed up to dine on everything from deer roast to duck jambalaya. Some very kind ladies supplied us with sweets. Larry David, retired Upland Game Biologist with the state of Illinois, was our keynote speaker. He did a wonderful job on the topic of "A Hunter's Faith". We gave away 21 gifts. The overwhelming response has been positive. We are already making plans for next year. </div>Paul Thomasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640668474339822763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159112557960874183.post-37766088550154053472011-03-03T13:53:00.001-06:002011-03-03T13:54:46.369-06:00Hallelujah Chorus and a Funeral<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uQP5Hs1iMTjysmy2ZFnh4LOS2BuMNhmFSLTYGmBvEBGxDKhV7Mj2IzFcXusW34YR_l8UamoZVFOROCuSsAWJt3SfW2ZpFOZo86ZCuIHqv5XyZVqgKATaBDq-BhjfsSIx4MJz3cA5qBz3/s1600/Hearse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uQP5Hs1iMTjysmy2ZFnh4LOS2BuMNhmFSLTYGmBvEBGxDKhV7Mj2IzFcXusW34YR_l8UamoZVFOROCuSsAWJt3SfW2ZpFOZo86ZCuIHqv5XyZVqgKATaBDq-BhjfsSIx4MJz3cA5qBz3/s320/Hearse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Today we had a funeral that ended with a benediction I had never heard before - the Hallelujah Chorus. I told someone that we had to be careful lest the celebratory nature of the song be misunderstood. There was no delight in death or in the death of this particular person. But, before she died, she made sure that those of us planning her funeral end it with this glorious song. She was no a person to be easily denied. So we did - end with the Hallelujah Chorus. Her family exited the building behind her casket as the Chorus was being played. I don't want to deny the pain and suffering of death. We should not be flippant about it. But, there is something about reminding ourselves of the resurrection of Jesus and the victory He provides over the grave. I can't think of a much better way to do that than the Hallelujah Chorus.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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