Life with The Swell Guy!

Redneck Tuesday - Dream Wedding Edition

Redneck Tuesday is back by popular demand!  For now...

Ahhh...fall.  It's time to move forward with that wedding of her dreams!

Note:  Your caption suggestions are welcome!

You Can Leave Your Hat On

I spotted this sign in a finer establishment in Abbeville over the weekend.  Good advice.  I do wonder if both of these things were past problems...

A Saturday Afternoon in Abbeville

Little girls gone foxy?   Hmmm....  I think I let the ladies explain this one to you.

A Big Quote

"It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable disease and hunger." - Bono

Noticed

If your church closed it doors today would anyone notice?  Would it only mean you need to find a new set of people to spend your social time?  Would anyone in your town notice outside of the people who attend your church?

How about the widows?

Or the orphans?

The poor and underserved in the community?

Would the single mothers notice?

And those in prison?

How about those suffering from addictions?

Would the folks down at the corner bar notice you have locked up for good?

Would you co-workers notice something has changed?

This my friends is not a rant.  I'm not being harsh or dramatic.  It's a riff.  I want to encourage you.

And it is not your church leadership's fault or issue.   They do not need to start yet another ministry or program.  It is not about programs.  It is not us telling the local church what they need to be doing with their already strapped time and resources.

It's your issue.  It's my issue.  Have you noticed the early church encouraged individuals to act as much as the church acted as a whole? 

And when individuals act others tend to join the work or follow.  It can revolutionize your entire church.  One person at a time.

You can do it.  I can do it.  Get noticed.  Now!

"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'  - Matthew 25:37-40 The Message

Ramadan

As a Christ-follower, I believe it is important to understand the basic concepts of other major faiths in our world.  After all, how can we minister effectively if we do not have some understanding and respect for other people groups and their beliefs?  Currently Muslims are celebrating Ramadan.  Here is what "The Big Picture" says about Ramadan.

Muslim faithful throughout the world are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. Observant Muslims participate in fasting (sawm), one of the five pillars of their faith, this entire Lunar month (this year it extends from September 1st to the 30th). Eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity is prohibited from dawn until sunset, when the fast is broken with the evening meal called Iftar. Local customs define varying traditions, including differing types of food used to break the daily fast. The fasting is meant to teach a person patience, humility and sacrifice, to set aside time to ask forgiveness, practice self-restraint, and pray for guidance in the future.

It is worth your time to view this photo essay with brief descriptions under each photo.  Enjoy.

A cup of coffee

My friend Jeff Owens e-mailed this to a few folks over the weekend.  I don't think he will mind if I share it with you.

Early this morning I was thinking about Jesus as a friend - James 2:23 says that Abraham was " God's friend" and I think that we all can be the same - and one of the things most of of us like to do, especially when it's cold, is to sit with a cup of coffee and talk to a friend.

So with a coolness in the air I sat and talked to God while drinking a cup of coffee.  Now some might say that in order to pray we must be quiet and reverent, and I agree that there are times we must, but I believe that God heard my prayer while I drank my cup of coffee.  As a matter of fact, He talked to me as well and that is why I am sending this message.  God sees our heart and we can communicate with him anytime - Ephesians 6:18 says "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request." - even while we are having a cup of coffee. 

Think about it, 
Jeff Owens

At the Barber Shop

Last Saturday I had a few minutes in the morning, so I stopped by to see my old barber, Jerry Shuker while we were back in southeastern PA.  I had heard that he was asking about me.  Jerry has a barbershop looking out on Main Street in Fleetwood and when I stopped by he was manning his station.

It was great to visit a few minutes and catch up.  Years ago Jerry was a high school football coach in a pretty big program.  He has several guys play in the NFL over the years.  He thinks of them as his boys and he stays in touch.

His big news was that he is back in coaching.  He and several other guys who thought they were way past coaching  have stepped in to help the local high school that just started a football program a few years ago.  The Fleetwood team as been getting pounded these few short years and has no tradition.  Already that is changing.  The old guys are teaching team building, respect, hard work, and tradition.   They are off to a 3-1 start this season.  A bunch of old guys...investing in the community...investing in young men that some said were uncoachable.  This is good stuff.  That is great stuff.  I'm glad I stopped by to visit.

Lin does 50 in style

My friend Lin Weber had his 50th. birthday last week.  Part of our long weekend trip was to attend the surprise birthday party Flo, the girls, and Ryan put on for him at the Weber family farm (soon to be a B&B).  We had an awesome time visiting and catching up with all our friends who attended.

Lin is a special guy.  If you do not know him I would have difficulty explaining what sort of man he is so I'll just mention a few things.  He is a great listener with a deep sense of compassion for those who cross his way.  It does not take long being with him to get a feeling that he lives a life of integrity that is filled with a sense of wonder and joy.  As a fellow Christ-follower, he has challenged me to live better and enjoy the journey.

In days where non-believers point out hypocrisy in the church with justification, I think they might feel a little differently if they knew a guy like Lin.  He and his wife, Flo are examples of Christ-followers working hard to live with grace and mercy on a daily basis.  And for that we are all richer.  It is not very hard to celebrate that kind of guy.

An offline weekend

We'll be traveling over a long weekend to visit old friends, so I won't be posting for a few days.  Have a great weekend!  I'll have some good stuff when we get back!

Peace, love, and BBQ with extra sauce on the side
Zig