Once was lost but now is found

Here's the by-line: Lost dog comes home five years later.

Yep, it's true. Five years ago Brandy, the dog, while on a trip from Florida to Tennessee with his owner Kenny Stackman, decided one evening to go exploring the wonderful sights and sounds and smells of the thriving metropolis of Hixson, Tennessee. I guess Brandy put her nose to the ground and never looked up until five years had passed. Stackman and his family conducted a long term search for the dog, putting up fliers and contacting local shelters. There was just no sign of Brandy to be found. After several days and nights of looking, Stackman had to return to Miami without his beloved dog. More than five years would pass before they would see each other again.

Five years later Brandy shows up a the McKarmey Animal Care and Adoption Center in Hixson. A quick scan of the dog had revealed Stackman's contact information stored in Brandy's HomeAgain microchip. A phone call later and a trip back to Hixson would reunite the pair once again. I don't know about you, but I love happy endings.

One of my favorite hymns that our Worship Pastor plays is "Come Thou Fount". The one line that gets me almost every time is this: "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love". The author of that song, Robbie Robertson, knows what he's talking about. He too, for many years, wandered away from God and eventually found his way back home.

Although there isn't a microchip planted in you, there is a God-shaped hole that can only be filled with a relationship with Him. If you've wandered away from God, He's waiting to welcome you back.

Just sayin'.....

I'm in love

I'm in love. She's as cute as can be. I love her personality. Her blonde hair and her big, bright blue eyes. Her smile. The way she calls my name. We go on walks together. We bike together. Over the Memorial day weekend I flew down to see her. I've never told her, but she has me wrapped around her little finger. But there's a little problem. You see, this other woman that I love is not Donna and she doesn't seem to mind this at all. Ok, stop the wandering of your mind. Her name is Samantha Hope and she's my granddaughter.

Throughout the time we had with her and Graham, I just couldn't help but think that these two precious grandchildren of ours are a link between the past and the future. Sam and Graham are the images of what was, and what was to be. Should God decide not to show up again on October 21 or next December, I am excited to see what wonderful, custom designed, personalized plan God has in store for my grandchildren. (Jer. 29:11)

This should come as no surprise to anyone reading this that God does not have grandchildren only children. One day in the near future both Sam and Graham will have to make a decision. The same kind of decision that Donna and I made over 36 years ago. It will not be based on our relationship or the relationship that Sam and Graham's parents have with God. Each of them will have to accept His offer to become one of His kids. I'm looking forward to the day that happens.

That offer is available to everyone, always. Have you accepted His offer of grace, forgiveness and unconditional love? All you have to do is ask. How about today?

Just sayin'

Ya Just Never Know

I've been a runner thanks to a former deacon, Major Jerry Sweptson, who showed up at my door one early Saturday morning over 20 years ago with a new pair of Asics running shoes and said let's go. I made it as far as about a football field when gasping for breath from this over-weight, under-fit body I yelled, "I'm done". I kept at it and a couple of months later I entered my first 5K. Later it was Ed Leaf who trained me for my first of nine marathons that told me NEVER run outdoors with head phones and now I know why.

It wasn't a very good day for Robert Jones also an avid runner. He was up early, dressed, running shoes laced, and headphones on listening to his favorite music on a South Carolina beach. He never knew what hit him because he never heard it coming. It seems that a small plane had to make an emergency landing on the same beach where Mr. Jones was running, and was struck from behind and killed.

As sad and as tragic as this story is, it is also a great reminder of how short and fragile life can be. I'm fairly sure that when Mr. Jones went out for his morning run his death by a very low flying aircraft wasn't even on his mind. Actually, I think I do know what might have been on his mind. He was probably thinking about his little girl's third birthday party later that day. The cake, the presents, the giggles of ten other little girls that would fill their house that afternoon. But, unfortunately, that isn't how the day ended.

Summer is just around the corner, and many of you are making plans for family vacations, trips to the beach or shore, outings to theme parks, etc. We all make plans for tomorrow, including starting a relationship with God. But what if there is no tomorrow for you? Make every day that God gives to you a day of rejoicing. Live each day as though it might be your last. None of us have a guarantee for tomorrow. Use your day wisely.

Just sayin'....