More Strange Things

Here is one more entry from my list of strange things that I have learned over the past fifty years:
1. Life is not fair. It's not meant to be. In many ways I am glad that it's not. In my life I have been blessed beyond measure and the longer that I live the more I realise that I truly do not deserve any of it. If my health, wealth, and happiness were dependent upon or in direct proportion to how good, how righteous, or how well disciplined I was, then I would probably be cold, wet, and hungry living alone in a cardboard box somewhere.

Psalms 102:10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.


Psalms 16:5-6 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Mile Stones

Life mile stones like hitting the big 5-0 are a good time for reflection. It's a good time for looking back at where you've been and wondering about the things you wish you could have done differently. it's also a great time for looking forward and hoping that you have matured and grown a little wiser. I pray that through the process of living these past 50 years I have learned enough about life and love and God's grace to help make me a better person.

Here is just one of the strange things that I've learned along the way:

Outwardly I feel like I'm falling apart. My glasses and my waist size are both getting thicker. Physically I feel 50. But inside I haven't changed much. My soul, my inner self, still feels just like it did at 18, 25, 30, and 40. I am convinced that if this old body holds on until 90 the spark inside me will be just as strong or stronger than it has ever been.

I keep finding that the words in the Bible are really true after all:

II Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Up Up and Away

Well, this week I finally pasted the half century mark. I celebrated my 50th birthday Tuesday by going to work and trying to pretend like it was just another day. My Coworkers bought me pizza and an icecream cake for lunch (so much for my new diet) Later that evening Lynetta surprised me with a very unusual gift.

For the past few years Lynetta has listened as I bemoaned the fact that I was tired of just watching other people live. I told her that with what time I have left I want to experience life for myself. No more sitting on the couch watching other people's adventures - I want to experience my own adventures. So, to shut me up she bought me a Hot Air Ballon Ride!!!!! Me and my big mouth.

I have always wanted to bungee jump too, but I was always afraid that when the time came for my feet to leave the platform that I just wouldn't be able to move. So, it's up up and away. Depending on the weather conditions I should be flying over Nashville within the next few weeks. I will take lots of pictures and some extra underwear.

Happiness Is....

Happiness is building your grandkids a new tree house.