Good Sunday morning, Everyfriend.  There's  blueberry toaster strudel to go with your coffee or tea.  Have a blessed Sunday.






Rules for Choosing a Super Hero Name


1. Don't call yourself by your real name: e.g., Ms. Jenny Pinchuck, The Amazing Stevie Foster.

2. Don't call yourself by someone else's real name: e.g., Mr. Teddy Kennedy, Captain Dean Martin.

3. Choose a name that suggests power, heroism and prowess: e.g., Captain Power, Thunderman, Mr. Invincible, Justiceman.

4. Don't be too modest: e.g., Mr. Pretty Good, Captain So-so, Fairly Incredibleman.

5. But don't labor the point: e.g., Mr.
So-Powerful-Don't-Even-Think-About-It-Buddy.

6. Don't choose a name detrimental to your crime fighting image: e.g., Captain Spongecake, Mr. Silly, Yellow Streak, Purple Slippers, Captain Evil

7. Don't choose the name of an existing Superhero unless you have lots of money and enjoy fighting litigation instead of supervillains.

8. It's no use calling yourself Captain Invincible if your only power is control over Hostess Twinkies and you suffer from a congenital heart condition. It's just asking for trouble.

9. Don't call yourself the Invisible Boy if you're not.

10. Don't call yourself the Invisible Boy if you're a girl.

11. Don't give away important information in your name, e.g. The Glass Jaw, Captain Vulnerable To Strontium 90.

12. Don't call yourself The Green Avenger if you wear an orange costume.
You'll confuse people.



God’s Odd Road to Greatness:
Being Last, Least & Loving the Lowly
(By Rev. Kerry S. Doyal)

Your decision: is the following question rhetorical or dumb. Have you ever had a conversation you were glad Jesus didn't ask you about later? Perchance you talked about someone in a way that was less than flattering or something that was hardly holy or edifying. Bonus question: ever had one of those chats right after church or a Bible study?

How would you feel - rhetorically speaking, of course - if Jesus asked you and your chit-chat mates after such a juicy dialogue: "what were you just talking about?" And, what if - of all things - it were not gossip or garbage but a bragging session about who in your group was the greatest?

Unthinkable? One would hope so. However, check out this slice-of-life from Jesus and His disciples as recorded by Mark in his gospel.

"From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later." But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.

Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me." - Mark 9:30-37 NASV

Did you catch that? Right after Jesus tells them He - the exalted Son of Man - is going to be killed, they debate their pecking order. Instead of being good disciples who seek to grasp their Master's meaning, they debate who was top dog. Twelve little Mohammed Ali's clamoring that "they are the greatest."

Jesus modeled humble servanthood to His disciples. He also taught them His odd road to greatness: willingly being last, least & loving the lowly. After they fought to be first, He taught them to serve, honor others, even social nobodies.

He had graciously made some prime private time with them to teach them about Himself and what was about to unfold: He was going to be given over to men to be killed and He would be raised. Yet, His school session seemed wasted on them.

A side note of comfort to all you who endeavor to teach others' God's truth: Jesus - the Ultimate Teacher - was not always understood. At times He had psyched-out, slow learning students. Like we often do - they had assumptions and expectations that keep them from learning. They had God "in a box" and fears that flattened their learning curve. How tragic. How common.

This story reminds us that Jesus is aware of far more than we realize. Being divine, He is omniscient (all knowing) & omnipresent (ever present). He walks with us as well, seeing and hearing us.

Jesus can make a question a tough rebuke. Can you say "busted!"? What should they have been talking about? Has Jesus ever asked you a question that was a rebuke or life shaping? His query to His companions was devastating. "What were you talking about?"

Bad news, Jesus knows about our burning passion [in the natural] for personal greatness and glory. Have you admitted your desire to be great, to be served? Has it been submitted under His rule, kept in check by His Spirit?

In splendidly backwards fashion, Jesus counts those great who seek to be last, and live as lowly servants. Let's be honest: Who wants to be last or least? Who wants to have the role and status of a common servant?

I recall with pain a Professor in Bible college saying: we all want to be thought of as servants, but none of us want to be treated that way. Ouch!

Making it personal, Jesus Himself is honored when we receive the least & lowly. Not just allow them in our midst, but embracing them, linking our identity with them, even at great personal social cost. Forget "going with the go-ers," this is dragging behind with the dregs, loving what the world considers losers in Jesus' name.

Who are our socially insignificant, powerless people? Who has Jesus placed in your midst that He wants you to receive? Have you ever confessed your desire to run only with the "big dogs"?

Do you need to thank anyone for risking their reputation to be with you? Do you have any relationships you need to re-evaluate? How about first and foremost, your relationship with HIM?

Want to be first, great? Here's the secret: fight to be last, seek to serve (secretly, sacrificially) and extend your embrace of acceptance to someone you would rather avoid.

 
"Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

- John Wooden

Good Morning Everyfriend!  And a special "Good Morning" to you Joanie.  I'll be off to get ready for church in a few minutes but I had to say that the inspirational reading this morning sounds like it was written directly for me.  I had a summer that I'm not sure of the Lord's reaction.  Lots of things going on that I might have handled differently.  I'm sure of his forgiveness but....

And now I'll go feed the doggies with the food that I forgot I was making last night. 

JUNE...when you get up this is for you and HAL and SHIRLEY.  I'm not becoming forgetful in my old age.  When my daughter used to tell me that I was getting forgetful I always said, "You can't say that about me because I was forgetful when I was 12.  My mother told me so!"

Have a lovely day Everyfriend!

Good Sunday morning to one & all ~  I come to check the computer to see how long FitBit tells me I slept.  Got nearly 5 hours last night so I'll be looking for those zzzzzzzzzzzzs that Janie finds so conveniently.  Have a Super Sunday (thanks, Callie, I said it first today).      

Thanks, Jane, I needed to be reminded of that .... and agree that this was a strange summer in Kansas, too.

Good morning, Janie.  I can relate to that reading, too, but in just a bit different way. 

Shirley--Good morning.  I hope you find some ZZZ's later today.  5 hours isn't much sleep.

Linda and Ed will be arriving from Alabama later today.  I am not sure how many days they will stay.

Good morning everyone..
Well I did rescue my laundry from the high winds yesterday...gosh thought my bedding was going to blow all the way to Florida!! Joan I guess one could wear gloves but I never do..

A day of rest here...love these days.

Phyliss beautiful graphic!

Joan ,thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone..

Good Morning, Amy.  Never fear--if your bedding blows to FL I will gather it up for you! 

Good Morning everyone.
well I know some if not all will disagree with me,but . very little I hate but win 10 is big one.
it is contaminants. dose as it wishes not what i tell it,took lesons from Nancy when she is in a sturbon mood. I am alright ask me I will tell you so 100 % Ha HA HA.sun is bright here.good temp.
Have a grate day.

I took my breathing machine to VA the other day the Lady took the card out of it and put it in her computer program and read it. it said my avarage sleep was 7 hr's per night. i sure disagree with it.
at least not uninterrupted. even with the new mask wake up with the leaked light on and a dry mouth.

Lloyd

Hi everyone on a very cool morning for us as it is still in the high 40's and we will only get into the low 70's late this afternoon.  As planned we stayed home all day yesterday and had a very enjoyable day.  I will go to church this morning and then bring home something for our main meal of the day.  I know that Pat is getting better as she was up before I was this morning and fixed her own breakfast for the first time in more than two months.  It seems her most painful time is trying to sit up to get up in the mornings.  She is now getting around the house without the aid of a walker or cane, which is another good indication.  I did enjoy a couple of football games yesterday and will likely watch some pro games this afternoon if I can keep my eyelids open while also listening to Don's Classical Music on my headphones.  From my office window I am enjoying seeing the Mums plant that is in full bloom as well as the five azalea bushes that are now blooming with red/orange blossoms.

I have read all the postings since I posted yesterday but am running out of time this morning so will limit my comment for today.   

deAngel what good news concerning concerning your grandson being able to finally return to his home after six long months.  I see he still has more rehab but it appears there is light at the end of the tunnel if he will be able to walk on his own without the aid of a walker. 

Good Morning Everyone!

Marking my spot.  Looks like I will be going to church alone this morning.  Wife is sleeping in, I guess, she doesn't want to get up.  Oh, well.

 

Good morning, Larry.  I am so glad to hear Pat is so much better.

Lloyd--Good morning.  I guess your mask doesn't work just right.

Good morning halkel and Callie.

Good Morning Everyone from
the sunny and chilly,  rocky coast of Maine.

Well,  this next week I am going to be loosing
my star "border",  as Erin has got her self
a nice apartment in a great area (less then a 1/2
mile from me) ...  (very walkable)  and will
be moving on  by the beginning of next week. 

I am glad that she has found a place,   but
naturally,  I will miss her.    It has been
good having Erin as a temporary roomy. 

She has already started moving things this
morning.   (most of here "stuff" has been
in a storage container)   ....   

So things are changing here and I will
have to start to get ready for them.
I am ready and this should keep me
busy for a while.     

Have a good day Everyone !!
Sandy

Good morning, Sandy.  It's nice that Erin has found a place not far from you..  I am sure it will mean some adjustments for you both,

Thanks Joan...

I am more the fortunate to live very close to
most of my kids and  Grand kids.

I am extremely   grateful for  living
near  my family,  and I wish that
everyone of us could be this blessed. 

Sandy

Good morning everyone, boy the wind whistled here last night, still windy. Don't think I got to sleep till almost 4 this morning. Rain is over and the sun is nice and bright and sky us blue. Between Friday and yesterday we got almost 5 inches of rain. Still about 5 under normal. Time to get out the winter jacket.

JOAN  about 3 years ago we had a big snow storm at this time.

HAL  when clothes froze on the line and the wind dried  they were much softer than when they come out of the dryer.

PATRICIA  must have been quite a surprise to see the cat on your balcony. Good thing he landed where he did.

JEANNE LEE  a UTI is no fun. Hope you are feeling better and your insurance will cover the lost hearing aid.

GLORIA de  wonderful news about your grandson.

BEVERLY  I don't know what the wind chill here feels like but I sure am bundled up like mid winter. At Panera's my favorite pastry is the bear claw.

SHIRLEY  like you I dislike having to py for the channels I do not watch. When the man from Sox was here last week I told him I have been looking into the inside antennas and intend to cut the cable he didn't say anything, just gave me a look.

PHYLLIS  love the kids with the huge pumpkin.

JOAN  a blueberry toaster strudel sounds good to me. Another good chuckle, love them. Food for thought brought to mind some folks I used to know. Thank you for all today's goodies. Enjoy Linda and Ed's visit and take time away from the computer to visit with them.

AMY  I remember chasing clothes that blew off the lines. No fun.

Good Morning Dear Hearts, it is a bit cloudy this morning..nice, but the sun will arrive soon enough.

I am up, all the exercises and massages are done, first cuppa' has been enjoyed and so another thankful day has arrived.

I will have a crispy sweet roll for breakfast, then on to Church at 10a.m., home, back down for lunch, then home to relax for the day. And how do you all start your Sunday mornings ?? I will peek in and find out……….

Larry, tell Pat to try rolling to her side, then use her hands to push herself to a sitting position. That's the way I get out of bed. Saves a lot of stress on the body to let the arms do the work. Good news that she was up and in the kitchen today…she is being healed for sure.

Hal, your wife doesn't have to be in Church to worship God, He is with her whenever and where ever she seeks Him, right ? There is the old saying, "Going to Church doesn't make you any more of a Christian, than standing in a garage makes you a car." I think of many of our Saints that were imprisoned, and were able to convert their jailers.You are being an excellent example for her Hal, that is the most you can do.

Time for me to close my mouth and get myself in gear to be on time for my Church going…..God Bless you all, where ever you are.

hello again today. I was reading about you girls and what to and what to watch. we get out internet with our telephone and free long distance. so we use a hdmi cable (cost us $16.?? . plug it into one of our Laptops and the side of our big TV go to you-tube and fiend any movie you want either search after clicking you-tube or typing in a title of a movie you know no additional cost over your monthly phone bill. our phone and internet is in mid $60.'S you-tube has any movie you want. we buy no cable or sidelight programs Hope this help's you folks.

Lloyd

Gloria--The weather sure is changing most places.  Do you know what is going to happen to your Cox connection?

June--I start my day with prayers, then coffee and the computer,  I attend Mass via TV--can't take a chance on catching those nasty germs folks bring to church.

Lloyd--I can't do that because I don't have a laptop.

Hello world. Just finished a week at the med school intimidating a few students, but who I'm sure will be better doctors because of it

Hi Radioman.  I'm sure you are right.

Good morning from a chilly Interior! Our snow is now more like a coating of frost and we will be warming up, we;re told, into next month. My sinuses and back are not enjoying our flip-flopping barometric pressure!

Farrah is upset with me as I have dry food she doesn't like and I am determined not to buy another type until she eats at least half of the small bag. She acts so sad and runs directly to me if I open a box or the fridge only to be disappointed. She doesn't react to the can opener. Her words are "Win," for treats and "Win-Win" for meals and she will give me a sad look and say them while following me around in the morning.  It is as if I had children again!

Our Internet here is Verizon, GCI, AT&T or Alaska Communications. I pay a little over $70.  for high-speed service and have had no complaints so far. My Tracfone suits me fine as I email or text more than anything else.

angelface--Sorry your sinuses and back are bothering you.  Farrah will be one happy cat when she gets the food she favors.

I am still waiting for Linda and Ed to arrive.

I didn't go to the Farmer's Market after church today and I've forgotten how far into the cold they continue.  I guess I'll find out the next time I go there.  The Wednesday one closes the outdoor stands sometime in November but the building is open all winter. 

I did, however make a stop at WM for some things I needed and when I got home and got them put away, that darn sofa hollered at me.  I made it wait while I changed my clothes, let the dogs out and put some cream on some sore spots left over from cramps in the night.  Then I succumbed and it just grabbed me an held on. 

I was telling a friend after church about visiting this site and i think she might check us out.  Keep your eyes peeled for someone new popping in.  I'm not going to say anything about her because if she does come by, I'd like you to make up your own minds.

I think I'll try to get something done before I have to see about supper.  I hope you are all having a lovely day.

Good afternoon, sun is shinning, but I am still cold. We have gale warning, with gust up to 40.  the fast ferry to New London, Conn. has to be canceled because of the high wind/

Joan, enjoy your family..
I have had neighbors  in and out all day, trying to help me find my hearing aid.  I have gone through the garbage 4 times. I do not know why I can not find it, as I went no where Wed. the only thing the cat got it if it fell on the floor

Phyllis thanks for the cute graphic..

Bis, I read one time, "Where ever I am, God is." and I believe that with all my heart. He is there for each one of us, it is up to us to reach out to Him. I hope your Linda and Ed have arrived. Waiting is one of the hardest things for me to do.

Janie, me too. I came home after lunch and could not keep my eyes open, so I put on comfy clothes, lay down, opened my book and woke up three hours later.

Gloria de, I am so sorry your hearing aid has not appeared. They cost so much now, and they are an essential to life as far as I can understand. So far I don't need one, but I pity those that have to have one and pay those steep prices. Have you searched the bed and in and around the floor by your bed ? Under a cushion of your easy chair or couch ? Try to remember where you were when you noticed the loss.

We just had a few extra rain drops, and what music to hear them falling against my window. More, please Lord.

JUNE  ir was a beautiful sunny day here till you went outside, cold and very windy. I did not stay out long, too windy to sit on the sunny porch.

JOAN  right now nothing will happen to my Cox connection. Still thinking about setting an inside antenna. The tech did fix it so that IE can be used again. For a few months it couldn't, it kept shutting off.

DON  hope you scared those students enough so they will remember the lessons.

PATRICIA  some who never felt  the barometric pressure will never understand how it affects some. I know it gets to me.

JANE  a new one posting here is always welcome. Hope your friend does come in.

GLORIA  de  the wind has been terrible here for 2 days now and it is still whistling here in this corner of the building.

Sleep well everyone.

Gloria, before you switch to antenna I hope you can find someone/anyone in your area that uses antenna to make sure you get decent signals.  Funny thing is in my own house I get quite a difference in quality of signals, I think because of how each fits on the wall above the TVs.  All 4 TVs are HD Viseo & not huge ones, in fact, all 4 are different sizes.   Smallest doesn't quite fit under the kitchen cabinet so maybe 24", probably next size up, I don't know what is standard for cabinets.  Don't do it on my recommendation even tho I am more than pleased with what I get.... but I do listen more than watch & would rather see old westerns than listen to the wizards that think they can solve the world problems with bad-mouthing everything. ( If they were so brilliant they wouldn't have to be working for a living, right?  )

I tried to post this earlier but my internet has been off & on so many times I don't know what is going on.  I called Cox & they said they didn't have a problem.... really???  REALLY? 

I've got to get some zzzzzzzzzzzzs.  Cats have refused to come in to eat, Miss Callie came & I filled her up & she decided to stay in the garage.  Sure hope she doesn't get on my car again, can't get those foot prints off.  

Watched John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan and Arthur Hunnicut bring law and order to El Dorado tonight.  Bad guys were Christopher George and Ed Asner and a whole bunch of other guys.  The good guys son was Johnny Crawford from The Rifleman as a teenager.  It was up to John Wayne standards. 

Now I'm going to close up shop and hit the hay.  So....

Good Night Everyfriend!  May God bless us, every one!

Robert Mitchum and James Caan and Christopher George, sounds good to me!