When your commitment faces the fire

As I sit here at the UAMS (University of Arkansas Medical Sciences) watching Carmens mother laying there struggling for some comfort, I felt I needed to get out for a few minutes. In the hall I saw an elderly black gentleman standing in front of a patients door. We nodded towards each other and I went to get a cup of coffee in the nearby room. While fixing my coffee, I suddenly felt a strong presense to go back and offer him a cup of coffee. As I approached him, I asked him if he would be interested in drinking a cup of coffee with me. He said "yes". We walked into the breakroom and fixed our coffees. I introduced myself and asked his name. He responded that his name was Al Bosley. Al was wearing a hat that showed he had spent time in both the Korean conflict as well as Vietnam. Asking Al if he was with a family member here, he held up his right hand, which I noticed was very badly scarred like it had been burned, "My son, is in the room. He was in a very bad car wreck and was thrown out of the back window. He has massive brain trauma and the doctors said he only has the use of his left side". Asking how old his son was, he said "29" and has just had a new baby which is a month old. He mentioned that his son was also named Al and had been living a not so good life style.
I mentioned that I was a part of the prayer team at Life Tabernacle and I knew a God that could lift his son back up and would he feel alright if I could pray with him. We did pray for Al Jr. and every time his heart rate would go up about 15 to twenty beats a minute. He hear us and knows.....God is near him..
Al told me this story.

"I have been raising my children to believe in God and to live right. You see, I am a single Father and have been raising my 4 children alone since they were very small. You see this hand. I am badly burned all over my body. My son in there, Al was asleep the night our house caught on fire when he was little. I was outside with all my children and realized that Al was still in the house. I ran back into the burning house and tried to find him. Suddenly my hair burst in flames and I realized that my body was on fire. Al was huddled in a corner and in one swoop I had him. As I was racing for the doorknob, it was glowing red hot. Then as I grabbed the door knob, the heat just melted the skin from my hand. I knew that my body was on fire, but, I felt no pain. This was my son...my namesake and I had to get him out. I took a very deep breath and shut my eyes not realizing that the heat from the fire had exploded the right eye, and ran and finally made it out.

I got my son out and he was o.k.. he was not burned but I had lost all the skin on my back, and am now scarred from my palms to my toes...But....as I said this was my son and I could not give up on him...my life for his...my life for his."

He was wounded for my transgressions, battered and bruised for my eniquities.....beaten beyond recognition....still he never cried out in pain.....all he said to his people was....my life for theirs...my life for theirs. Carrying the scars that was meant for me and you....more than ever it is time to take account and not let his life, death and ressurrection not be reflected in us....when we see someone such as Al Jr., would you go through hells fire for one such as him....really....would you?

In a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour

A man sat at a metro station in Washington D.C. and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute late, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late to work.
The one who paid the most attention to him was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only six people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recogniton.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best violinist in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.
Just two days before his playing at the subway, Joshua Bell sold out the the Boston theater and the seats were valued at over a hundred dollars a ticket.
Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and the priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Doe we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected visitor or context.
Born in a stable after being turned away by the inn keeper, preached to untold multitudes, rejected by some of his own followers even his closest friend denied him and finally crucified and the only ones that recognized him was Mary his mother: "my son" and the Roman soldier "surely this was the Son of God". There are so many thought patterns that my mind can't even began to put them into words. What are your priorities when in the presence of the Master....do you ever recognize him when not in the church house. Would you be able to understand it when he sets people in your way to see where your priorities go. What is so important in life that we can't seem to take the time to enjoy his presence in its many forms. His song is the most beautiful and only we can feel it and sing it (not even the angels can understand it).
Lord, it is all about you...and always will be.

Perspectives

I was thinking at a hundred miles an hour as I usually do. It is amazing the useless information that I can and usually do come up with. However, I began to think about the core belief system of God and the United Pentecostal Church, that I was taught and what Carmen and I have tried to teach our children to believe. It is astounding how far off the mark that modern Christianity has strayed and still believing on what suits their needs. Since I am a person who uses analogies to get my point across, let me explain how easy it is to think you are sooo right in your everyday walk with God and feel so empty just to find out that you and he are walking different paths. Analogy: When you are on the ground and you have two different objects laying side by side you can say that they are very close to one another. Now, move those objects a mile apart and fly in a plane about oh 33,000 feet off the ground. Now you look down on the same objects..they will look like they are side by side when really they are not even close to each other. I do not want to risk my salvation thinking that I am walking Side by side with God, while really I have allowed myself to have reached a human height of thinking, that when I look down it seems God and I are really side by side when really I may be a long distance from where I should be. Why go through all the growing up years being ridiculed for my beliefs only to toss in the towel now and be come a suedo christian like so many of our dear friends that we all worshipped with have.
Brother Elms used to say that "sometimes we get so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good.

Its time to get down to earth and see how close that we have become in Christ or get back to where he is and get busy for his cause , not ours . I still believe in the message Bro. Everette, Bro. Green, Bro. Ensey, Bro. Elms, And my new Pastor and Dear friend Bro. Holley.

Amazing Sea Creatures

See if you can find the sea creature in this picture. I thought this was a neat animal.

How about now?

Whats wrong with our moon??

For all of you who do not get out of the house much in the city to view that big white ball in the sky at night, well you miss out. The moon was in it's full capacity last night as the clouds dissipated. I thought I might as well take a few pictures since I create screensavers for my computer. Thought you all might like this picture. Oh, By the way what is wrong with the moon in my picture. First one that tells me will get a prize. Man,,,,, I love Nikons.

Who Is This Egg Celebrity?

Welcome back to the L.T.U.P.C.O.W.F.T.C.S.B.E.L.A.L.C. (Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church of Wichita Falls Texas Celebrity S0ft Boiled Egg Look A Like Contest). If you are new to this, this is where I create a very exacting look a like of one of our great church people. Whoever guess the Picture gets a $5 gift card from Starbucks.

Past winners are Sis Karla Holley, Rev. Kyle Cain and our Pastor, Rev. Gene Holley

Past pictures are in past posts on this site, but, include: Big John Howell, Sis Arnett and Bro. Joseph Ouellette.

OK Sis Kassie this one is for you.

Organ Delivered

After a very busy week in Dallas taking my State Exam, which I passed, it was onward to deliver the Hammond organ to my sister, Diane Green. She was soooooo excited to get it and with a little help form the local church men at Broaddus (correct spelling Lynn) the organ was finally home. It sounded so good in the church on Sunday morning and Diane did a great job of playing it. Melissa, Dianes daughter ( in the background) wanted to know who got the organ in case of her mother untimely departure from this life. Here are just a few pictures.

Egg Celebrity on hold

This week I have been in Irving taking a very long and important State Insurance exam for my All Lines Catastrophic Adjusters License. This is the Highest license and most complex in the insurance industry. My few brain cells are fried and I have spent years teaching insurance laws and concepts. That is my advantage over some of my classmates here. Anyway, tomorrow is the state exam and I still am studying. I am sure that I will pass but a little extra prayer this way would help. After the exam, I will be heading to Broaddus (correct spelling Lynn) to deliver the organ to Diane and Mark. With all that said, I will not be creating any egg celebrities this week, but, will resume next weekend.

This last weeks winner was our Pastor Bro. Holley. Thanks to everyone for the input for future eggs. Love you all .

New Surprise

I received a phone call this week from a friend from the past. She stated that years ago while at her establishment I had commented on an old organ that she had. She stated that I had let her know if she every got rid of it, I might would like to have it for Jeremy. Well, she let me know that she no longer needed the organ and would I be interested in it. I told her if the price was right that I might. She made a few phone calls and called me back and said "What if I give this organ to you, would you take it?". I made a phone call to Jeremy and then called her back and said "yes" and then Jeremy and I went to pick it up Friday night. After nearly killing myself from falling with a ladder from about 12 feet up and crashing into another ladder which broke under my fall as I hit the ground, we loaded it up and headed home. I really did not need another organ so I called my sister Diane Green who husband pastors in Broaddus(correct pronunciation Lynn) and let her know that I was giving a surprise to her for her to use at church if she wanted, but the gift was hers. Then I sent her pictures and she started to cry on the phone with joy. It feels great to give to someone just to hear their happiness. So, my sister will be receiving a new to her "1963 Hammond A-105 (B3 in a home cabinet) with a 125 leslie organ in perfect shape this next weekend. I love you sis.

Who is this weeks L.T.U.N.P.C.O.W.F.T.S.B.E.L.A.L.C.

This might not be who you think it might be. Last weeks winner...Rev. Kyle Cain for correctly guessing Sis Arnett. O.k. no more family winners.

Sunday School

Thank You Bro. Kenny for allowing me to teach in Prime Life this week. I felt so much support while I was teaching from the class. The Perceptions and facts of the forces of Gravity, Balance/counterbalance with and without sight and sound, the Harmonies and Disharmonies of Accuracy verses Precision, and the winding and sometimes leaning but alway perfect road of Gods Righteouness as it pertains to not only ourselves but everyone we are ever to come in contact with ....don't take for granted...if you want to ask what this was all about, ask a Primelife member. Thank you Bro. Hallford ,,,, you know.

TBC at Cisco

Was very Blessed to be able to participate in the services at Cisco and the T.B.C. Choral with Bro Jerry Dean preaching. Redemptive Lift....what a sermon. Here are a few pictures of Rev. Kyle Cain and Friends from home and college. Thank you to everyone that has impacted and continue to impact Kyle in his life to Pursue the high calling of the Ministry. For those of you who do not know, Kyle has already graduated for Texas Bible College and is a Licensed Minister for the U.P.C.. This year they offered a one year step up degree program and Kyle felt that it was the will of God to go back. Kyle,,,Keep up the heartbeat of Gods Will and as I always say when we are apart "Guard your Heart". I love you...

Carmen (Tigret Woods) Cain

My wife has just recently taken up a new sport. I have impressed upon her the need to keep up with the other ladies in our families who have also taken up this insane sport....She's got the Pose and the Clubs. Really don't think that we will have to worry about her missing any Church on Sundays due to her being on the Pro Tour..Really she did very well..inspite of being taught by her husband. Oh, Carmen since I know that you will be reading this....I love you and don't curl your wrists.

Who Is This L.T.U.P.C.O.W.F.T.S.B.E.C.L.A.L.C.

Who Is this Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church of Wichita Falls Texas Soft Boiled Egg Look A Like Contestant (L.T.U.P.C.O.W.F.T.S.B.E.L.A.L.C. for short)???

Sis Karla Holley was last weeks winner...and will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card. Tell your blogger friends about this. Anyone can play and I will mail them their gift card if they will email me with their address...jctrb6p@msn.com

Who is this Egg Celebrity????

O.K. Welcome to the first Contest of the L.T.U.P.C.O.W.F.T.X.E.C.L.A.L. C. (Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church of Wichita Falls Texas Egg Celebrity Look A Like Contest). Remember, the first blogger to correctly identfies who the photo is about will win a $5 gift card to Starbucks. You must answer on the blog..you cannot tell me in person. If there is no winner, then the prize will be added to the next weeks prize...Good Luck




This Weeks Celebrity

EGG CELEBRITIES????

This morning I was going to cook breakfast for my darling "little" wife Carmen. We have an Omellette pan that hinges in the middle and also has a place to make poached eggs..or better as friedless fried eggs. We eat a lot of eggs, cheap and great source of protien. Anyway, I was slicing up an apple to go with the eggs (which look like big white eyeballs with yellow pupils) when Carmen and I came up with an idea. We started arranging the apple slices and eggs to make faces. Well, we got sooo tickled at the faces that we thought we would created celebrity faces.

After making the faces then eating them, we thought of a great idea for fun. We have created the "Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church of Wichita Falls Texas Soft Boiled Egg Church Celebrity Look A Like", Or "L.T.U.P.C.O.W.F.T.S.B.E.C.C.L.A.L for short. Each week we will create a likeness of one of our great church friends.. the first blogger who correctly identifies the
L.T.U.P.C.O.W.F.T.S.B.E.C.C.L.A.L. will win a $5.00 gift card to Starbucks. We hope that each one of you will enjoy this and will not take offense to some clean fun...if so please hit the red X at the top right hand corner of your computer...this is a sample of the pictures for this week..

Angelina Jolie

What to blog about today...hhhuuummm

Having a very rare day off to day, I had so much to catch up on. Had the idea of going to play golf, but , my golf buddy could not make it...something about a knife in his back or was it being down in his back. Nevertheless, after mowing the rainforest of a yard today and the mower transmission completely going out, not to mention that my lawn mowing crew was out of town with his girlfriend, I wondered what I could blog about. So after talking with the Rev. Kyle Cain about his survival skills during the hurricane (since he has no survival skills) and thanking God that he was o.k., I wondered what I could blog about. Carmen and I went into town for a quick bite to eat and bought a new mail box (I wanted one that would send our bills saying "Paid In Full" to us). After getting home and taking a short nap in the easy chair..I wondered what I could blog about. Since Carmen is Still Asleep, I Thought I would Blog..So again I began to wonder what I could blog about. So here it is...I emailed Governer Sarah Palin and talked about pro life and Her baby. Letting her know that that Bible stated that "children were a Heritage of the Lord" and the Bible did not state that "perfectly healthy children were a Heritage of the Lord....Just Children...I asked her to stay true to the common sense values and Godly values on which this nation was founded. Staying commited to this road that God has started us on when he gave us the Holy Ghost. Even threw in a few Scriptures. I asked her to be committed to the values of God, Family and Country, and never never never compromise on her comitment to the same. Oh and I Let her know that our church prays for all of our nations leaders. Then I invited her and her family to stop by Life Tabernacle. You can email her at the Governers office in Alaska...she may never get to read it, but. then again she might. That is about all that I could think of to blog about...

OK for all you bloggers that have never been on a cruise...let me show you just how big a medium sized cruise ship is inside...this was taken just 5 floors up and there were 13 floors...mind boggling how this city on water can even float. It is the most economical way to travel. Where can you go and eat all day, have you stateroom cleaned 3 times aday and really want for nothing for about what you can stay in a hotel for a week per person...we will be going to the Bahamas in February. No kids allowed

It was also full of amazing shows and incredible talent...but ...the place went wild when Stevie Wonder stepped on stage...one of my most favorite performers in the world

FOUND THE CRAZY GLUE REMOVER

OK who was the wise guy that poured crazy glue all over the rocks at the Wichita Mountains? We were finally able to get down just in time for our cruise.....see you in a year

WELL...Hello everyone. just thought I would take a trip to blogsville. Carmen and I took Mischa to the Wichita Mountains on Labor Day. Jeremy and Kyle were in Porter with Meemaw Cain. The buffalo where everywhere and so were the prairie dogs. Mishca was going crazy trying to get to them. Mount Scott was beautiful and the weather was balmy. Made for a great picnic. We even found the place where the young married folks went and had a picnic about 20 years ago. So, Carmen and I ate our Turkey sandwich and fruit there. Hope you like the pics. This morning we heard something wimpering out side. Carmen found the cutest little butterscotch colored female lab. I went around the neighborhood but no one seems to know who it belongs to. It is very clean and smells like it had just had and bath. I think it was put in our yard by someone that did not want it. Our neighbor down the street may take it if the owner cannot be found. Mischa though we had gotten her a new toy....