Don’t Mess with Miss America – even if she is 82!

I loved this story I read today. I would love to meet her. I guess you could also call her a “lion chaser.” She reminds me of my Granny Thornton!

WAYNESBURG, Ky. -

Miss America 1944 has a talent that likely has never appeared on a beauty pageant stage: She fired a handgun to shoot out a vehicle's tires and stop an intruder. Venus Ramey, 82, confronted a man on her farm in south-central Kentucky last week after she saw her dog run into a storage building where thieves had previously made off with old farm equipment.

Ramey said the man told her he would leave. "I said, 'Oh, no you won't,' and I shot their tires so they couldn't leave," Ramey said.

She had to balance on her walker as she pulled out a snub-nosed .38-caliber handgun.

"I didn't even think twice. I just went and did it," she said. "If they'd even dared come close to me, they'd be 6 feet under by now."

Ramey then flagged down a passing motorist, who called 911.

Curtis Parrish of Ohio was charged with misdemeanor trespassing, Deputy Dan Gilliam said. The man's hometown wasn't immediately available. Three other people were questioned but were not arrested.

After winning the pageant with her singing, dancing and comedic talents, Ramey sold war bonds and her picture was adorned on a B-17 that made missions over Germany in World War II, according to the Miss America Web site.

Ramey lived in Cincinnati for several years and was instrumental in helping rejuvenate Over-the-Rhine historic buildings. She returned to Kentucky in 1990 to live on her farm.

"I'm trying to live a quiet, peaceful life and stay out of trouble, and all it is, is one thing after another," she said.

NEWS!

Hi.... I've not added too many posts lately.
Does that mean I don't have any news? No.
There's plenty of news.
Which newspaper had the phrase, "all the news that is fit to print"?
I think that was the New York Times.
Well, there is no news I am choosing to publish. At least for now.
Stay tuned in.

I've been through the wringer

I was talking with a friend (technically emailing) and they shared that they have been through the wringer.

How many people even know what the phrase means, “been through the wringer”?

I told my friend, “I'm sorry that you've been "through the wringer." Do you realize that there are several generations that have no idea what that phrase means?!”

Now, I know what the phrase means. Because my mother had an old Maytag washer with the wringer that she used up until about 1970. (no, that's not my mom in the picture)

It was like all the appliances back from that day. They kept going and going and going......
Our refrigerator kept going forever. The handle fell off first - too many
pulls by your truly!

It seems we've made a complete about-face with product quality. When I was growing up, automobiles rarely lasted more than three or four years without needing major repairs, but appliances would run for 25 or 30 years and never miss a lick. Today, cars can go 150,000 miles, but we're lucky if our appliances last a year.

On the plus side, at least our cars will be around to take us to the Laundromat.

Oh yes, my mom hung the clothes outside on a clothes line. I just thought, what did mom do during the winter or when it was raining outside? I’ll have to call her and ask.

Discernment

I was talking with a good friend today and he shared a quote from a minister that had a great influence on our denomination.

"You don't need discernment when the devil is acting like a devil.
But you do need discernment when the devil is acting like an angel of light."

Cyril Homer

Cyril Homer was an outstanding minister. His wife, Ruth, is one of the finest and most engaging speakers I have ever heard.

Dr. Cyril E. Homer served Southeaster University with distinction for two separate tenures as president. He also served as the president of North Central University. He also served several congregations in the Midwest, including Ohio and Kentucky.

MY PRAYER: God give me discernment!

Everlasting God

Thank God for music and lyrics that minister to my heart.
Tonight, as I have been working, I have K-LOVE on my computer.
Lincoln Brewster's song helped me tonight...

Lincoln Brewster - Everlasting God

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God You reign forever
Our Hope our strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

AMAZING GRACE

A few weeks ago, Joy and I saw the exceptional film Amazing Grace.

Amazing Grace is a film about the campaign against the slave trade in 18th century Britain, led by famous abolitionist William Wilberforce, who was responsible for steering anti-slave trade legislation through the British parliament. The title is a reference to the hymn "Amazing Grace" and the film also recounts John Newton's writing of the hymn. Wilberforce was elected to parliament when he was 21 years old. And for 23 years, he presented legislation attempting to abolish the slave trade. This year is the bicentennial of the passage of that legislation. John Newton, author of the hymn Amazing Grace, was the pastor of the church that William Wilberforce grew up in. He had a great influence on Wilberforce.

At the end of the movie, Joy and I saw some of the credits and were surprised to see some Thorntons mentioned.

I have been in communication with Thomas N. Thornton from England. He has authored a book titled The Thornton Families of England. I sent him an email and asked if he had any copies still available. He replied the next day…

The book is particularly relevant at the moment of the bicentennial of Wilberforce, who was a Thornton cousin and essentially joined their cause. The film Amazing Grace does not make it plain enough at the start that it is Henry Thornton who welcomes William to his house, where much of the action is shown. Thomas N. Thornton

One quote in the movie that I just loved was when John Newton was encouraging Wilberforce. Wilberforce was discouraged that the battle against the slave trade was going so slow. Newton stated, “God sometimes does his work with gentle drizzle.”

Get the movie when it comes out in DVD and I’m getting the book!

Easter Sunday

Sunday is the celebration of Easter, but in our household, it is also the celebration of Joy's birthday.
What a great journey it has been with this lady.
I am SO HONORED to be able to call her my wife, my love, my friend.


Joy is the JOY of my life.
We have so much fun together.
She is a godly woman, passionate about God and His Word.
That is so wonderfully evidenced by the wonderful teaching she gives each month at Comfort and Joy.

She is passionate about creating. She loves creating music, menus, house plans. Some of you may not know that Joy is an accomplished architect. She has designed four of our homes.

Happy Birthday Joy. I love you and am most proud of you.

EARLY MORNING STARBUCKS

It was an early morning trip to Starbucks – venti coffee - to fuel me for a trip downstate for a planning meeting with our district execs.

I let the coffee cool in the cup holder as I navigated the early morning rush on I55. a little later as traffic thinned out, I reached for the venti cup. If you are familiar with Starbucks, each cup has a quote printed on it. My venti cup had:

The Way I See It #233

I used to think that going to the

jungle made my life an adventure.

However, after years of unusual

work in exotic places, I realize

that it is not how far off I go or

how deep into the forest I walk

that gives my life meaning. I see

that living life fully is what makes

life – anyone’s life, no matter

where they do or do not go

– an adventure.–

– Maria Fadiman

Geographer, ethnobotanist and
National Geographic Emerging Explorer.

I love the disclaimer at the bottom of the cup…

“This is the author’s opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks.
To read more or respond, go to www.starbucks.com/wayiseeit."

I recall what Dr. Richard Dobbins stated years ago in a sermon at Central Bible College. Dr. Dobbins is an Assembly of God minister, psychologist and founder of Emerge Ministries. He stated, “All truth is God’s truth.” That is a great thing to realize. We find truth all around us. Just because we find truth in an unlikely place does not discredit it. So, thank you Howard Schultz for a little reminder to me this AM. “Living life fully is what makes life – anyone’s life, no matter where they do or do not go an adventure.”

As I posted previously, I am on an adventure. Hmmmm, notice the coffee connection between those two posts. Yes, Caribou is still my favorite. Please, just don’t send an email to district headquarters or tell Juan Valdez.

And, when you are on an adventure, especially if you have to go “off road” (thank you Earl Creps), you need to be prepared.

____________________________________________

The Apostle Peter knew it was important to be armed with the Word of God. He stated wonderful truth for relationships and then quoted Psalm 34:11-13.

1 Peter 3:9-11 (NIV)

9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.

I especially love The Message Bible. It makes this verse SO CLEAR!

1 Peter 3:9-11 (The Message)

8-12 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life
and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
listening and responding well to what he's asked;
But he turns his back
on those who do evil things.

13-18 If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

God, I pray that you will help me fully live all that you bring my way.