"A WORD FITLY SPOKEN IS LIKE APPLES OF GOLD IN PICTURES OF SILVER"


These apples were from the tree in Kenny's yard. Aren't they huge? Thanks Kenny, for thinking of me and taking the time to pick them and bring them to me! I appreciate it and I love you!

Grampa's visit

Grampa drove an 18 wheeler out here to Calgary with a load of Ganongs chocolates. He is 77 years old! He has been here for a week and a half waiting for a load to take back. We are not anxious for him to find one. Nanny couldn't come with him this trip, because her sister is not well.

Below are a few pics of his visit.

The fence is coming down. (finally the backyard is started!)

Dad enjoying the after dinner chocolate fountain

David and Gramps showing off their skill at chinese checkers

Deidre and Lexy just had enough

This is the scripture that came to me this morning so I'll share it with you.

Luke 12:32Fear not, little flock; For it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

I found this on the blog of the President and CEO of Nelson Publishing, Micheal S. Hyatt, and I thought it was a very soul searching question and very interesting. Let me know what you think!

What Is It About Your Leadership?
Blame is the oldest game in town. It was invented by Adam who, after eating of the forbidden fruit, told God, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). In other words, it’s Eve’s fault. (And, by extension, God’s fault.)
Not much has changed since Adam’s day. Ask almost anyone why something bad happened and they will point to someone or something else. In my experience, it is exceedingly rare for people to stand up and take responsibility.
Last month, we missed our budget. I was disappointed. So was the entire Executive Leadership Team. We had worked so hard to hit our numbers. But, we missed. It happens, right?
A few days later, I was meeting with Ilene, one of our consultants. She asked me, “So, how did July end up?” I admitted that we had missed our budget. She innocently asked, “So why did you miss?”
I then did what most CEOs do in this situation. I blamed the current economic environment. “Well, the market is tough right now,” I explained. “Gas prices are up. So are interest rates. This has taken a bite out of discretionary spending. Consumers are just not frequenting bookstores like we had hoped.” I then went on to cite the U.S. Census Bureau, Publishers Weekly, and other industry publications.
I finished with what I thought was a note of optimism. “We didn’t do what we had hoped, but we’re still ahead of last year.”
She then said, “Okay, I get that the environment is tough. But, let’s be honest, it’s always tough, right?”
“Yes,” I acknowledged, not quite knowing where she was going. Then she dropped a bombshell on my psyche.
“Mike, what is it about your leadership that led to this outcome?”
“Excuse me,” I replied, knowing full well what she had just asked. Nevertheless, she gently repeated the question.
Honestly, I think I was speechless for a full two minutes. “Well, I'm not exactly sure,” I stammered. “That’s a great question, but I don’t know quite what to say.”
Thankfully, she gave me a little help. “As long as the problem is ‘out there,’ Mike, you can’t fix it. You’re just a victim. I’m not trying to shame you. I am trying to empower you. You can’t change your results until you accept full responsibility for them.” I nodded in agreement, still not sure if I liked what I was hearing.
She patiently waited for the weight of her observation to sink in. We then spent the next couple of hours examining my behavior. As it turns out, I was not only making excuses for myself, I was making excuses for my team. I was too easily letting them off the hook. I slowly began to see a direct link between my leadership and our operating results as a Company.
The bad news about taking responsibility is that you can’t blame someone else. It always comes down to your leadership. There is always something else you could have said or done to produce a different result.
But the good news is that once you accept responsibility, you can change the result. Why? Because your behavior as a leader is 100 percent under your control. Changing the result is as simple—or as hard—as changing your behavior.
Imagine how different your family, church, company, or even country could be if everyone took personal responsibility for their outcomes. Perhaps Gandhi was thinking the same thing when he said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”
I have continued to ask myself this question over the last several weeks. What is it about my leadership that is producing these results? It’s a powerful—and empowering—question. And, it applies to just about every situation.
So let me ask you, are you happy with the outcomes you are experiencing in your life and work? Where would you like to see change? What have you been blaming on other people or your circumstances. What is it about your leadership that is producing these outcomes?
Until you are willing to ask this question—and face the answers—you will continue to get the same old results

I woke up this morning and this old song came to my mind.

Ancient words ever true,

changing me, changing you,

We come with open hearts,

Oh let the ancient words impart.

A few of those ancient words that also came back to me this morning from my "memorization in Sunday school" days were:

"Remember thy creator in the days of thy youth" I'm glad I did this. My life would have followed a very different path, had I not. A path I would hate to be on today!!

There was another one, but it is gone right out of my head. I should have gotten up and written it down right away. Oh well. If I think of it again, I will tell you!! It's amazing that I remembered it in the first place!!

The word of God is powerful. Let it speak for itself.

Romans 12:10
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another:

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you; bless and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep

16Be of the same mind one toward another, Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceablywith all men

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath, for it is written,
vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith theLord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good


Pretty powerful words and so much wisdom. And this is only a small portion of His great Words of Wisdom!!

Part 11:
The banquet evening

The Limousine

The Grads

The limo crew

Family

Angie's Grad

Part 1: The ceremony

With family

With friends

signing "You Were There"

Her teacher and her friend from California

More Family

We put 4 kids thru school, now WE'RE DONE!

Special Big Brother

Here are a few snapshots from camp meeting 2007. The first few are of Angie getting ready to sing with the group, Angie talking to a few friends and Jolene talking to her Dad and Sister. Jolene managed to get hidden though. She is probally relieved!

My Scripture reading today is about getting wisdom and understanding. How I want that more than anything! I also want to be restored in sweetness and love and in the joy of doing good. What an outstanding message last night about doing good by Bro. Booker!

The preaching at camp meeting was amazing. The messages about the Word, the cross and about heaven were amazing. The one by Bro. Booker titled E+R=O (Event+Response=Outcome) was also very good! Master Passion? What is my master passion? What drives me the most? Very Good!! They all were amazing and should be listened to again.

To be like Jesus, To be like Jesus, On earth I long to be like him.
All thru life's journey, from earth to glory,
I only ask to be like Him.

This is my prayer today!

WHERE'S MY MOMMY???

This little baby robin was standing by my back door. Isn't he/she cute? It doesn't appear to be able to fly all that well yet. All the little blessings God sends our way for our enjoyment!

Yesterday we celebrated Jolene's birthday at my house. We had such a wonderful time. David, John and Angie entertained us with their southern gospel music and we decided that we should finally fulfill our life long dream of developing a family southern gospel band! (LOL)We love having the kids all home. It's like Dad says, "Life just wouldn't be the same without them. It wouldn't be as much fun!!"
Family is so precious. The older we get the more we realize this. We need to cherish every moment we have together. These moments are not unlimited! My mom has been gone for several years now and I miss her more than ever! To all my family, I just want to say I love you so much! You mean all the world to me!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOLENE!!

A new listing. $248,000. Here is a great home to get started in the market or an investment property that will actually still pay for itself. Great deal!

I thought this was a nice poem.
http://www.llerrah.com/dreams.htm

I'm sure many of you have already heard this little story, but I received it in an e-mail and thought it was worth the reminder.


The Duck & the Devil
There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes" But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and s aid, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help" She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you." Thought for the day and every day thereafter? Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) ..whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets.