Sunday School

The lunch bunch had a wonderful treat on Valentine’s day. Nine of Bethel’s people were ordering lunch when Limited Edition came in and delivered a “Singing Valentine” and a red rose to each of the ladies, compliments of Lance Shew. Thank you, Lance. Lunch was delayed while Jeff, Charlie, Tom and John sang four songs for us. Limited Edition is a quartet from the Pontiac – Waterford Big Chief Chorus, where Lance is a member. They sing a variety of music — barbershop, show tunes, doo wop, seasonal songs, upbeat and ballad — all in the a cappella style. I liked the one, “I met my gal at the auction house.” They started that one out by asking the men, “How did you meet your wife?” Lee said he stole Betty from her husband who happened to be his boss. I wonder if Lee lost that job? In my monthly musings I don’t intend to offend anybody. I’m just thinking, on paper, things that come to my mind and I talk about them. Pastor Diana said if I publish something I have to own it. I thought long and hard about that and decided, no, I don’t have to own it. I can think something one day when I’m writing my column and think and feel differently the next day. I might find out something that changes what I wrote the day or month before and that’s alright. There is too much political correctness going around these days. It makes it hard for people to speak their mind. People walk around with their feelings on their shoulders just waiting to hear something that offends them. They call the PC police and say, “Did you hear that?” Then they focus on that one thing and do not hear the rest of the words or they leave never to return. Or if someone is reading my column and becomes offended at one line then he may not read the rest of the column and never read another of my stories. We are too sensitive and that stops us from speaking out when something needs to be talked about. There was a man who loved to get his mother gifts for “Mother’s Day”. He found the most wonderful birds at the pet store. They were $5000.00 each. He sent the birds to her and couldn’t wait to find out how she liked them. He called her and said, “Mom, what did you think of the birds?” She said, “They was good.” He said, “Oh no, you didn’t eat them did you? They cost five thousand dollars each. They could sing and dance and talk.” “Well, they should have said something.”. I think it is about time we say something before we are eaten. And I don’t think we should be chastised for speaking out. We can still learn from each other and be respectful of those we disagree with but still speak up. The biggest waste of time (in my opinion) is trying to find whom to blame for mistakes. Wouldn’t it be better to find answers instead of playing the blame game? Of all the things we refuse to take these days, personal responsibility seems to be number one. We would solve a lot more problems if we spent twice as much time looking for solutions and half as much time looking for someone to blame. Taking personal responsibility is easy to do, just say what you’ll do and do what you say. And NEVER forget a promise.

I have been pondering what anger does to us. How it can hurt and change people. True anger is a natural emotion that all humans have on occasion. Have you ever seen a baby as young

as 3 months when he gets angry? He screams with his mouth wide open. He makes fists of both hands and squeezes his eyes shut tight and flails with his arms and legs. Sometimes his face turns

bright red with anger. The baby doesn’t feel personal responsibility to control his anger and he shouldn’t. When we become an adult true anger is the emotion which strives to hurt or punish its

object, cruelly, knowingly and willfully. The power of anger is awesome. It has the power to destroy or to correct injustice that can be paralyzing and demoralizing. Don’t waste your anger on minor

targets. Remember we have a role model in Jesus.
Just say, “What would Jesus do.?”
Nola (the apple of God’s eye)
Youseetimmy: In the middle of a crisis the only one smiling is the one who has already figured out who he is going to blame.

I’m not sure I will be able to finish my column in time to get it in the Newsletter for August, but not to worry! God told me to not sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff. I want to mention about last month’s column

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My musings are just that; my thoughts and my feelings. I write these words to express my feelings and my faith and if you enjoy reading what I write then that is a bonus. I don’t mean to put my feelings onto anybody else and I don’t want to explain the feelings & thoughts that I write about. Feelings are neither right nor wrong, they are like brown eyes, they just are. You can’t change someone else’s feelings by explaining what should have been felt. Lee and Betty Collins have helped me with ideas for this column many times. They are good people and very good friends. So I hope I can put the story they told me in “ interesting” words that you will enjoy. Here goes! John, The Friendly Tow Truck Driver, is a giving Christian and passes out pennies with a cross

cut into the middle to many people, whether they need it or not. Over the years he occasionally had to get a new supple of these coins. He would put a penny in your hand if he knew you were hurting or were sad or just because he had one in his pocket. A member of his church passed away and John just happened to be out of pennies. But God does provide. A miracle happened to this church because UPS delivered a box of pennies to John, The Friendly Tow Truck Driver’s door step. He had not ordered the new pennies because he hadn’t realized he was out of pennies. The church knew the member who had died was in heaven and was helping John get pennies with crosses cut in them to pass out. Miracles take place all the time but most of us do not recognize the awesome event and just let it pass. Once in October, while visiting my sister, Alberta, God sent her three rainbows. Alberta and I had been to her Doctor’s office. She needed knee surgery and wanted it done before leaving North Carolina to have Thanksgiving in Florida with her family. Lance and I were planning to leave for home on Friday (this was Tuesday). The Dr. said, “I can do it on Thursday”, and gave the date. Alberta said, “Great, I can get it all over before Thanksgiving.” She took a script for blood work and we left the office. In the parking lot, I said, “Do you realize that is day after tomorrow, Alberta.” She panicked, backing out of the parking spot, she put on the brakes and said, “What am I doing, where am I going. I have to call David & Sue etc. etc.” I asked her if she wanted us to stay until after the surgery and she threw her cell phone at me and said, “Yes, call Lansing!!” She always calls him Lansing when it is serious. In comes the first rainbow. A perfect one over the building where she had to get her blood work done ASAP for Thursday. I called Lance on MY cell and he said, “Sure we can stay!” The rainbow had made me feel calmer but Alberta was still in a panic. Another rainbow appeared over her condo. I kept telling Alberta that everything was going to be alright. The third rainbow was on the way to Ashville for the day of her surgery. Truly God was trying to tell Alberta that He was with her no matter what. The music that Bethel has had over the years is another miracle from God. The choir under Ralph Mueller and David Fockler and later Marge Seavey is where I learned so much about people and life. The choir in those days was where I became a dedicated member of Bethel. And now the music and choir with Teri Barnaby is wonderful. Each of the organists and directors were different and brought their own style to the church. They all worked so hard to make the worship at Bethel meaningful and spiritual. I think it is because we (Bethel) have passion for our little church and for music and we want what is God’s will for us. Passion is something you have deep down inside of you. And if you have passion there isn’t anything you can’t do.

Nola (The Apple of God’s Eye)

Youseetimmy: Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Berthold Auerbach

God does not give us what we deserve. He gives us what we need!

Preach the gospel and when necessary use words!

St Frances of Assisi

I am not as good as I should be, I am not as good as I could be but THANK GOD I am better

than I used to be!