The Doll

Melanie writes about a mission trip to Romania in the blog, It's My Mission. It is a very moving and touching post about a little Romania girl and a doll.

My cousin has a ministry call Feed My Lost Lambs in the Philippines which he and his wife began a couple of years ago. I regret they do not have a website or blog.

Thus, children's missions are of interest to me.

God bless all who are involved in missions.

Old Timers Quiz........

Have Fun (but no peeking!). Write your answers on a paper..........there are 20 questions........... 1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways? A. Flintstone's vitamins B. The buttmaster C. Spaghetti D. Wonder Bread E. Orange Juice F. Milk G. Cod Liver Oil 2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was... A. Sugar Ray Robinson B. Roy Orbison C. Gene Autry D. Rudolph Valentino E. Fabian F. Mickey Mantle G. Cassius Clay 3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and... A. It's you B. He is us C. It's the Grinch D. He wasn't home E. He's really mean F. We quit G. He surrendered 4. Good night, David. A. Good night, Chet B. Sleep well C. Good Night, Irene D. Good Night, Gracie E See you later, alligator F. Until tomorrow G. Good night, Steve 5. You'll wonder where the yellow went, A. When you use Tide B. When you lose your crayons C. When you clean your tub D. If you paint the room blue E. If you buy a soft water tank F. When you use Lady Clairol G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent 6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend, A. Stuart Whitman B. Randolph Scott C. Steve Reeves D. Maynard G. Krebbs E. Corky B. Dork F. Dave the Whale G. Zippy Zoo 7. Liar, liar... A. You're a liar B. Your nose is growing C. Pants on fire D. Join the choir E. Jump up higher F. On the wire G. I'm telling Mom 8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and... A. Wheaties B. Lois Lane C. TV ratin gs D. World peace E. Red tights F. The American way G. News headlines 9 Hey, kids, what time is it? A. It's time for Yogi Bear B. It's time to do your homework C. It's Howdy Doody Time D. It's Time for Romper Room E. It's bedtime F. The Mighty Mouse Hour G. Scoopy Doo Time 10. Lions and tigers and bears... A. Yikes B. Oh no C. Gee whiz D. I'm scared E. Oh My F. Help Help H. Let's run 11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone A. Over 40 B. Wearing a uniform C. Carrying a briefcase D. Over 30 E. You don't know F. Who says, 'Trust me' G. Who eats tofu 12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings. A. Troy Aikman B. Kenny Stable width='100%' width='100%'r C. Joe Namath D. Roger Stauback E. Joe Montana F. Steve Young G. John Elway 13. Brylcream... A. Smear it on B. You'll smell great C. Tame that cowlick D. Greaseball heaven E. It's a dream F. We're your team G. A little dab'll do ya 14. I found my thrill... A. In Blueberry muffins B. With my man, Bill C. Down at the mill D. Over the windowsill E. With thyme and dill F. Too late to enjoy G. On Blueberry Hill 15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by A. Clark Gable B. Mary Martin C. Doris Day D. Errol Flynn E. Sally Fields F Jim Carey G. Jay Leno 16. Name the Beatles A. John, Steve, George , Ringo B. John, Paul, George , Roscoe C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo D. Jay, Paul, George , Ringo E. Lewis, Peter, George , Ringo F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel G. John, Paul, George , Ringo 17. I wonder, wonder, wonder, who A. Who ate the leftovers? B. Who did the laundry? C. Was it you? D. Who wrote the book of love? E. Who I am? F. Passed the test? G. Knocked on the door? 18. I'm strong to the finish A. Cause I eats my broccoli B. Cause I eats me spinach C. Cause I lift weights D. Cause I'm the hero E. And don't you forget it F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me G. To outlast Bruto 19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today... a. Smile, you're on Candid Camera b. Smile, you're on Star Search c. Smile, you won the lottery d. Smile, we're watching you e. Smile, the world sees you f. Smile, you're a hit g. Smile, you're on TV 20. What do M &M's do? a. Make your tummy happy b. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket c. Make you fat d. Melt your heart e. Make you popular f. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand g. Come in colors Okay, that's it. Here are the right answers. 1 d - Wonder Bread 2 g - Cassius Clay 3 b - He Is Us 4 a - Good night, Chet 5 g - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent 6 d - Maynard G. Krebbs 7 c - Pants On Fire 8 f - The American Way 9 c - It's Howdy Doody Time 10 e - Oh My 11 d - Over 30 12 c - Joe Namath 13 g - A little dab'll do ya 14 g - On Blueberry Hill 15 b - Mary Martin 16 g - John, Paul, George , Ringo 17 d - Who wrote the book of Love 18 b - Cause I eats me spinach 19 a - Smile, you're on Candid Camera 20 f - Melt In Your Mouth Not In Your Hand It might help if you are over 60; this is no 'pushover'. Post your score in the comments section. Have fun.

Beauty

This plant in front of our home has not bloomed in over 15 years. Beauty is all around us although sometimes we have to wait for it.

Enjoy.

My Church by F. Thomas Rondy

F. Thomas has been a friend of my since early childhood. This post will be longer than usual because it is a short story. This is a work of fiction and no part may be used without the expressed permission of the author.


I went to church last Sunday for the first time in five years. A flyer addressed to “Our Friendly Neighbor” at my address came in the mail on Wednesday inviting me to attend services. It aroused my curiosity. How did they know I was a ‘friendly neighbor”? I reside in a bedroom community 20 miles away from their campus now, that’s some neighborhood. The flyer mentioned the campus as being the old Lady Madonna University. I graduated from Lady Madonna with a BS, major in Montessori, some fifteen years ago when it was operated by the Sisters of Contemplative Education. So, I said, what the heck, it will be good to see the old campus and I’ve got nothing to do on Sunday anyway, so I’ll go.

I drove to the Lady Madonna campus which was now “My Church, A Global Ministry of Willie George Barker” Pulling into the main drive way, I noticed that the statue of our Lady had been removed. In its place was a global sculpture with a large digital message board arching above the road. With busting firecrackers, the scrolled message said, “Welcome to My Church where the Lord is praised and His work is done.” It continued to flash the times of services along with other events. Once on the campus, the winding road leads me to the old stadium which now had a dome on it. I searched for a parking space, row after row, after row until I found one in section X aisle 6. Finally, after locating a parking space way, I began the long trek to the stadium excuse me the ‘worship center.’

During my walk a friendly guy in a bus with “My Church Transit System” painted on the side, picked me up, gave me a brochure, engaged me in small talk about my relationship with the Lord and dropped me off at the front door of the massive building. Stepping from the bus, I heard him talking with someone on a cell phone in hushed tones, Brother Arnold this is Sam, have a middle aged man, not a born again Christian, and has not been to church in 5 years. Now, I’m not paranoid by nature but I was the only single man on the bus who fit that description, the other passengers were parents with small or teen age children. All of them had been given balloon sculptures by a street clown who welcomed them to My Church.

A man introduced himself to me as Brother Arnold as I stepped inside the remodeled stadium. He glad handed me like a used car salesman. Every now and then, I could still smell the stench of the jocks’ locker room. Ah, the memories of days gone by. That’s another story in its self. Looking around while exchanging pleasantries with Brother Arnold, I felt like I was in the Mall of America. People were gathering, standing in line, and sitting at tables in a Starbucks Coffee Shop which Brother Arnold explained as being the first shop in the BM [Believers Mall]. It was a vision of one of Brother Willie George Barker and a member, who had a Starbuck franchise, to make people feel at home while at church. Ten percent of the proceeds went to the church.

Brother Arnold took me on a stroll around the BM pointing out the various stores along the way. Here’s our Christian Book and Gift shop stocked only with Christian books by such noted Christian authors as LaHaye, Falwell, Bakker, Oliver North, and such. Adults and parents don’t have to worry about seeing a Harry Potter book in here no sir. Christian books and only Christian books including the King James Version of the Bible,” he said.

Stepping inside the bookstore, I notice a display of books by Willie George Barker. Several caught my eye: “The 10 Things I Taught Rick Warren: The Miracles of a Purpose Driven Church.” Brother Barker seems to be a prolific writer having written more than one hundred books. “What Will You Do Without the Lord?” “Hell, It’s Your Choice.” “Street Evangelism: the old fashioned way.”

Leaving the bookstore we came to a small grocery store, “God’s Storehouse.” All the organic food is grown in the “The Fields Are White Unto Harvest” hot house and organic garden where once the Sisters of Contemplative Education had their garden located on the southern edge of the campus. The soil in “The Field Are White Unto Harvest” garden has been sanitized to free it from all pollutants and pesticides including any taint of Roman Catholicism ensuring clean and pure vegetables. Each seed is prayed over and sprinkled with holy water from the Jordan River prior to planting assuring a good harvest. Brother Arnold told me a truck delivers the ‘holy water’ twice a week.

As we left the grocery store, I mentioned to Brother Arnold that I was a Roman Catholic. He enjoyed it when I called him, ‘brother,’ made him feel as though we had connected somehow. When he heard I was Catholic, he put his arm on my shoulder, patted me on the back in his used car salesman manner and said, “Brother Willie George will help you see the light. I was miffed. I didn’t desire to be enlightened by Willie George. The only Willie I wanted to enlighten me was Willie Nelson. I more than ever wanted to be “On the road again.”

There were many other stores and shops in the BM which encircled the worship center including The Daughters’ of the King Beauty Shop, a video arcade [which allows only Christian video games such as “Joshua vs. Jericho,” “Warriors for Jesus,” “Bible Man vs. Unbelievers” and “Jesus vs. the Temple Money Changers”, an indoor play area such as found at McDonalds and Burger King. The video arcade and the play area teemed with youth and children screaming, yelling, and running wild as if possessed by something.

A blue light began flickering throughout the BM and a voice from the overhead speakers announced, ‘worship will begin in 15 minutes.’ It was like the ‘blue light specials at K-Mart.’ People began to run or walk rapidly toward the nearest worship center door. It was total bedlam. Almost to the door, which was jam packed with people pushing and shoving trying to be the first to get in, When the doors opened, a loud noise blew over us. People began to shout, “Its Pure Crimson Blood.” Shouting over the ever increasing noise, Arnold said it was My Church’s Christian Rock Band. Pure Crimson Blood sounded to me like someone who had tripped out on some bad acid.

I decided that My Church was not My Church and would never be My Church. I told Arnold, I needed to use the facilities. Brother Arnold pointed down the BM to the facilities. I could hear him say, “Don’t take too long,” as I beat a hasty retreat to my car.

F. Thomas Rondy
©January, 2008

Past, Present, Future

Yesterday, Tuesday, May 27th, I went to a medical facility for some blood work and other tests. While waiting, I noticed people of all ages entering the building: young, middle aged, and of course, us of more mature age. Some of the more mature persons walked with difficulty--I fit into that category--others who needed the assistance of canes or 'walkers,' and several who were in wheel chairs.

I pondered as I watched this parade of people about the past. In my past, I did not need so many different types of blood work and other tests. I was a reasonably healthy guy--overweight to be sure--but my overall health was rather good. That was until I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic. I managed it well. But then, last year and this year, the doctors informed me of two new incurable diseases I must live with.

Yesterday's tests were for the latest incurable disease. Thus, I pondered what the results of this battery of test will reveal. It is tough waiting for results. The doctor will tell me next week the results of the test.

Now, I contemplate the future. Whatever the results, I will live with it. It may be difficult but my deep abiding faith in God will help me through. There is a religious song which states, "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know Who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand."

May all of you who are experiencing decline health as I am place your trust and confidence in God. You may not share my faith but whatever your faith, allow the Divine or the High Power to see you through the difficult days.

That's my position. I would love to hear yours.

Spring Cleaning

On our refrigerator is a magnet with a cute saying, "you can touch the dust but don't write in it." Sometimes I want to change it to read, "if you have time to write in the dust, you have time to clean it." No one, however, has taken me up on the suggestion so, it befalls me to do the dusting. I don't mind it. I just don't do it on a regular basis. I guess that's why someone came up with the idea of "Spring Cleaning."

As a child, I can remember Spring Cleaning days when my mother would put the floor rugs over the close line and my brother and I would "beat the dust" out of them. Fun for kids growing up as we practiced our best baseball swings as dust flew around us making us cough and sneeze. This was followed by dusting underneath our beds and turning the mattress. There was lots of dust bunnies hiding under the beds lest they be found by the humans. But we found them only to discover a few days or weeks later they had multiplied.

Now, Spring Cleaning has come to my home. My office is a total mess. Three people have used this office during the past year or so and it is now referred to as the computer room. The CR contains my wife's computer and related stuff as well as some items left behind when our grandson moved out. He has lots of school books, notes, etc. Then there is my stuff. Yes, I'll admit to being a pack rat. My stuff includes college notes, papers, old exams, etc. The computer room is just a hodge podge of stuff which I am trying to sort out and to throw away. The other day, I came across stuff I had not used in five or more years, so I got rid of them. The pack rat in me says that I will need them some day. I hope not as the garbage has already been picked up this week and I do not want to go to the landfill to search for that stuff.

Spring Cleaning may well last into the summer at the rate I am going. If it does, it will be time for Fall Cleaning and a never ending cycle of cleaning. If you should come to my house and you see dust, I'll show you where the dust rag is and you can do your part to keep my home spic and span.

Have a great and wonderful day.

Taking Responsibility

An aspect of my teaching is to help my students to take responsibility. The majority of them get the message right away as I tell them the very first day of class, "Each one of you has an 'A' right now." I follow that up by stating that if they desire to keep the 'A' they must take responsibility to be in class [although I cannot compel them to be there], do the assigned readings, turn in the written assignments on time, and to take the test and exams. I don't automatically give 'A's' to each student if they do the above but assess them on their ability to do the work. If there is a problem, I counsel with them to determine how I can help them achieve the very best grade possible for them.

I, also, emphasize that if they are going to miss class to let me know either in person or via email. This applies to papers and exams as well. I do this so the student will take responsibility for their education.

Having said all of this, I received an email from a student who received a "D" for the final grade. She wanted to know why. The reason being: she has missed class since mid March, failed to take two exams and failed the final exam. I had attempted during the semester to reach her via email but no responses from her. In her email this week, she indicated that she just had to have an 'A+' because she was an all 'A' student and thus could she do some extra credit work to bring up her grade? I had to remind her that the semester was officially over the day of the final exam and to allow her to do some additional work would not be fair to the other students who did their work during the semester and that the 'D' would have to stand.

When I asked about why she did not respond to my offers of help during the semester, her reply was she was the kind of person who did not ask for help. My last comment to her was to take this semester as a learning experience---to take responsibility and to let the instructors know you are having trouble. Most of the instructors I work with are willing to help the student who needs the help but we cannot help those who refuse it.

Ah the joys of teaching. I love it.

His Heart Was Broken

A fellow minister and friend of mine died several months ago. I had heard that he retired, due to health reasons, from a twenty plus year pastorate several years ago. I learned yesterday that was not the reason for his "retirement." A powerful minority forced him out because his messages no longer made them "feel good."

This kind of thing happens all to often within my denomination. I have a friend in Alabama who was forced into "retirement" because his sermons "were not spiritual" enough to suit a powerful minority. In my own case, fifteen years ago, another powerful minority indicated "they were not being fed spiritually."

The friend who died recently went into a serious depression following his forced "retirement." His heart was broken. He loved the Lord. Enjoyed preaching. Love his congregation only to have them force him out. He was even ignored and shunned by the "pious ones" who treated him so badly.

As I learned the other side of the story, I was told that he continued in his faith and asked Jesus to take him Home. Despite his broken heart, he hummed gospel songs, the songs of faith. I do not know which songs he sang but I can almost hear him sing, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand...." Broken hearted he held tightly to Jesus Christ, His Lord and Savior and realized that the "church" was nothing more than "sinking sand."

Jesus came to get my fellow minister to take him Home. When Jesus came, his broken heart was mended and his depression was lifted. I can hear Jesus saying to him, "Welcome home, my good and faithful servant."

I know what my friend endured as I, too, when the church turned on my after nearly seventeen years went into depression and took a sabbatical from preaching. During the time of my healing, I came to realize that faith is not in a denomination or local church but in Jesus Christ. He was the source of my healing and continues to be my Companion and Guide.

I am back preaching as guest minister at various churches but, I don't attend my denominational church where I reside. I am so sick and tired of the church's politics wherein a powerful minority makes decisions for the majority claiming they know what is best for the congregation. Each day I live, I come closer to the Lord and my faith runs deep and strong. "On Christ the solid rock, I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...."

List of Prayer Request or Prayer?

I receive several church newsletters from different parts of the United States. Most of the are about the same as they list the happenings or future events in the life of the congregation. Every single one of them prints a list of people who need prayer. It seems as though, the church desires each person to pray for those on the list.

I ponder this: Is is a list of prayer request or does it stimulate real prayer? Seldom do I see in any of the church newsletters a notice of a "prayer meeting." When I was a child and a youth, my home church had a prayer meeting on Wednesday evening. During prayer meeting, time was spent in concentrated and earnest prayer for those on the list or ones that were verbally mentioned that evening. It was a time of prayer power with only one song and a minute or two devotional.

Prayer can and does make a difference. When the Body of Christ gathers for prayer great things can happen. Continue with the lists, if you must, but spend extended time in concentrated prayer for those on the list. Certainly you can pray at home but we're easily distracted by phone calls, television, the kids, etc. Come together in the sanctuary--away from all distractions--and engage in prayer. No telling what God can do when His people pray.

Annual Review

Today I met with my department head for my first performance review. She gave some very valuable information as to how to maximize my in-class room time. She, also, complimented me on my "laid back" style and how well I relate to my students. Overall, it was a good performance review.

Exams

Two of my classes have taken the final exam with the third class to take its final on Friday. Now, the "fun" begins for me as I have to grade the exams with short answers and essays. I know of two students who will receive a lesser grade because they wrote only one sentence on 2 of the 4 essay questions. When I asked them about it, they indicated that's all they knew about the subject even though I had given each class a study guide a week or so prior to the exam. Go figure.

One of the students in the Friday class emailed me this morning because he could not find something in the text book that was contained on the study guide. I wonder why students wait until the last minute to cram for finals? I have to ask myself, did I do that while in college? Of course, that has been so long ago I have forgotten.

Grading the exams and tabulating all of the assignments to arrive at a final grade for each student will consume most of the weekend. But, that's okay as I love teaching.

Semester Draws to a Close

Today was the last official day of classes. The finals will be on Wednesday and Friday. I will have two finals on Wednesday for my 2 ethics classes and one on Friday for the Philosophy class.

Most of the students are well prepared and will do well on the comprehensive final. Others will struggle to maintain a "C" because they have not applied themselves during the semester.

Overall, I've had a good group of students this semester. Two of them will graduate Thursday evening with their A. A. degrees. One will continue her studies at a local university while the other will return to her home state of Minnesota to continue her college education there.

Today was a bitter-sweet day for me as I get attached to the students only to let them take their flight beyond the "nest." Oh well, I will have another group of students in the Fall.

Such is the life of a teacher/educator. Until next time, have a great day.

One of Those Days

Have you ever had "one of those days"? Today was one of those days for me. I was scheduled to be the guest minister at a church in another community which meant that I had to get up earlier than usual. The church has two services: one at 8:30 am and the other at 10:30 am.

I headed out to my car and proceeded to put down the garage door. It would not go down. I got out of the car inspected to see if there was anything blocking the light beam and tried again. It still would not come down. Upon closer inspection, I noticed one of the rollers had fallen off...then notice the door was hanging on the opposite end only to discover two rollers on the floor. I went back into the house to let my wife know about the door. I figure the high winds we had last night may have somehow lifted the door enough to cause the one roller to come off the track. Thunderstorms and tornadoes coupled with high winds raged through our area last night.

I got back into the car and drove to the church in the other community with about 5 minutes to spare before the 8:30 am service started. I introduced myself and a nice gentleman had a preplexed look on his face. He then told me that today was the first Sunday for their new Interim Minister. He introduced me to the new minister who apologized profusely for the "mix up."

So, I headed home to be with my wife and sister-in-law on Mother's Day. It was a good thing I had gone shopping on Saturday or it would have really been "one of those days."

Ah, well all things ended well....except the garage door. We'll leave that to the professionals.

Have a good day.

The First Woman on the Moon

The first woman on the moon, of course, is...... Only those old enough to have watched the "Honey Mooners" will appreciate this cartoon. "One of these day, Alice. One of these days....."

Enjoy a bit of laughter today.

Students One Week Before Finals

This is the way my students looked today one week before final exams. I teach Introduction to Ethics and Introduction to Philosophy at a local community college. Most of the students are right out of high school and in their freshman year.

I tell them they should not cram the night before the exam and if they have paid attention all semester long and did the assigned reading, they should have no trouble with the final. What really frightens them is the short answers and essay questions---4 on each exam. I have even given them a study guide but they are still terrified.

Ah, the joys of learning.

Building "My Front Porch"

I had another blog for four years until it got too expensive for my retirement income. That one came will all the bells and whistles--a nice feature to have. Now, I'm in the process of building My Front Porch. I add a little each day and hope you will bear with me during the building process. I'll tinker with it until I get the hang of it.

As I am new to the Google Blogger, I would appreciate some help from the rest of you. Thanking you in advance, I remain

Ron

A Good Semester

I teach Philosophy and Ethics part time at a community college. It is a late in life career which brought me out of retirement several years ago. This semester is almost over. Friday will be the last formal class day with final exams to follow next week.

This semester has been a good one for me as I have been encouraged by the students who make up my 3 classes. Many of them have been eager to learn and have participated in small group and class discussions. Others, a minority, have not been so eager to learn which provided me with a motivational challenge. During the semester, I was able to motivate some of the minority but not all. I learned a long time ago, you can't make someone do what they are unwilling to do.

The majority of my students will do well on the finals and with their collegiate education or careers. I have no doubt that many of them will be excellent leaders in the future.

I am thankful I had the opportunity to play a small part in their education. They have touched my life and I have grown.

The Front Porch

The front porch is almost a thing of the past, now we have decks in the backyard. During my childhood, a front porch was a family gathering place. On the front porch, we sat in swings, chairs, or on the steps as we talked about the issues of the day or future plans. The front porch was a place to visit with neighbors and say "howdy" to folk as they pasted by.

The front porch for this little boy [now a man] was a place to dream dreams, to let my imagination run while, and to ponder things I didn't understand. A lot of dreams have come and gone since those days on the front porch. I'm still a dreamer. My sense of imagination and wonder was birthed on the front porch and continues to mature with each passing day. I still like to ponder and question not only those things I don't understand, but things I do understand. On such occassions I've been known to "play the devil's advocate" as a way of challenging and stimulating conversations, debate, or dialogue.

I miss the front porch of my childhood home. I miss the wrap around porch at my grandfather's and grandmother's home. Ah, those were the days when I could gather with my brother and cousins on granma's front porch to play during the rain..or just to talk kid stuff.

Join me from time to time here at My Front porch