Scripture

The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

~Proverbs 11:15, NLT

Quote

Sour godliness is the devil’s religion.

~John Wesley

I don’t do too many human interest stories but I have one I want to share. It is a first hand story; I know Jim personally. He is a member of our bible study class that meets each Sunday morning. Jim is 95 years young and he goes up the steps on Sunday morning as well as anyone. He lives in a two story house and he goes up and down the steps to his basement everyday. He has a workshop in the basement. He restores old toys and I am not talking about the plastic junk they make today, I am talking about toys made 50-75 years ago and some maybe older. When he gets through with them they are in prestine condition. This is only one of the amazing things about Jim. He also goes to estate sales. He says he is always looking for a new project. Jim graduated high school in 1947; two years before I was born. He is the only surviving member of a class of forty-one.

Recently, June and I toured Jim’s museum of antiques, artifacts and restored toys: we were blown away. June said on the way home, “I can’t believe a 95 year old man is going to estate sales.” Believe it or not, he does and sometimes he takes his girl friend. Oh yes, Jim has a girl friend about my age. I watch him in amazement, he is burning the candle at both ends while I struggle to keep one end burning. Jim still drives, everywhere: Huntsville, Nashville, you name it. He has a brother up North, Illinois I think, and he drove up there last year. What do his children think about Jim driving? He doesn’t have children. There is no one to take his keys. Jim is like me, he is hard of hearing but unlike me, he is a good listener and his comments in Bible Study are always wise and to the point. He is also a very generous man. The pizza and donuts that Grace Point has been enjoying were paid for by Jim and some of his buddies in our Bible Study class. I think of Jim as Paul thought of Onesiphorus, he is a refreshing spirit, or a breath of fresh air. He cheers me up. He has the rare gift of encouragment. We may have to change his name to Barnabas. I can honestly say, it is a joy to be Jim’s pastor and friend.

Extra

Brewer put up valiant effort but we fell short. They had more depth than we did and we missed some shots that we normally make. They were deep and the kid off the bench that hit the threes hurt us. We did out dunk them three to one. I hate if for the boys. I wanted them to make it to the state.

They have lowered the chances for snow. My weather ap says 24% now as opposed to 46% yesterday. I don’t dread the snow, I dread the 13 and 15 degree nights. Heavy frost this a.m. but I have my greens and onions covered. Our rye grass was looking great until this week. Thank God for housing and heat, amen! I love our electric blanket. One prayer request: pray that they call off Josie’s scoccer game on Thursday. Scoccer uniforms are skimpy and I don’t want to see my granddaughter turn into a popcycle.

Put it in survival mode and try to make it to Sunday. Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.