See You At The House

David Phelps

2013-05-22T11:05:00.001-07:00

As I write this I am listening to David Phelps sing this song, There is a River. If you are not familiar with David you are missing out on one of the purist voices, today. He is outstanding.

I met him a few years ago in Columbus, Ohio at one of their concerts. He was very gracious and we chatted for a little while. Davis is a "home run hitter." Listen to "Let Freedom Ring" and you will agree. He hits it out of the park at the end. He left the group for a while, and they did not sing it while he was gone, it was his song, no one could do it like he did.

I often sit here on this couch, with my laptop and headphones, watching TV, but listening to some good old gospel songs.

I have never had an "experience" like my Grandfather did. One Sunday morning, he was a young boy, but going up the steps of his old country church, he was overcome, struck by the lightening of God, or whatever you want to call it, but from that moment on, he knew he was to be a preacher. I have never had such an experience.

I thank Him every morning for getting me through the night, and to help me get through the day. At night, I thank him for the day, and to help me get through the night. I ask him, often, for help. I don't run around town carrying a sign, asking viewers to "Honk if you love Jesus" or something to that extent. I honk and wave at him.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.

I can copy that and drop it in here ...... not sure if I could lead an Army, reciting that ..... I would like to have a closer relationship, but not sure how to do it ...................

The Cathedrals

2013-05-22T07:20:00.003-07:00

I was raised in a Christian home. Actually, my grandfather was a United Bretheran Bishop in Indiana. I attended Sunday School and church on a regular basis. The old First UB in Downtown Dayton, Ohio was a big part of my early life.

We had a big piano in our home, and one of my early memories was an evangelist visiting and sitting at that big piano, and almost getting it bouncing up and down with those high spirited gospel songs he played, so music has always been a part of my life.

Going back many years, I heard the Cathedrals on radio and then television. George Younce and Glen Payne have been favorites since then. I owe Bill Gaither a vote of thanks for his bringing all those singers back, and giving them a venue to once again show their talents. Many of them I was not aware of at the time.

I spend many nights with the headphones on, listening to them, often with tears in my eyes as memories come flooding back of my childhood, and also, so many of them have passed on.

THIS IS A GOOD ONE TO LISTEN TO

Here's what to watch for at the London Olympics Today

2012-07-27T06:49:00.003-07:00

1. OPENING CEREMONY: A celebration of British culture, with a touch of Shakespeare, pop music, James Bond — and even some farm animals. A huge worldwide audience will tune in for the extravaganza, which starts at 4 p.m. ET.

2. WHO WILL LIGHT THE TORCH? Bookmakers are now convinced it will be Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to break the four-minute mile. But is there another mystery contender?

3. WEATHER: Will the famous English rain blight the opening ceremony? It's been hot and sunny all week in the British capital — but a little wet this morning.

4. REFEREE DIES: A Turkish boxing referee has been found dead in his London hotel room. It appears he suffered a heart attack. Autopsy results expected later Friday.

5. ROMNEY FALLOUT: What will Londoners make of Mitt Romney's implication that the city isn't ready for the games? Will it draw them together?

Fencer Mariel Zagunis chosen to carry U.S. flag at Opening Ceremony

2012-07-26T14:01:00.001-07:00

By Maggie Hendricks

Two-time Olympic gold medal-winning fencer Mariel Zagunis will get the honor of carrying in the United States flag during Friday's Olympic Opening Ceremony.

She was chosen by her Team USA teammates.

Previous flag bearers have included runner Lopez Lomong, wrestler Bruce Baumgartner and decathlete Rafer Johnson.

"I'm extremely humbled by this incredible privilege," said Zagunis in a statement. "As an athlete, I can't imagine a higher honor than to lead Team USA into the Olympic Games, which are the pinnacle of sport and a platform for world peace. I am tremendously proud to represent my sport, our team and, most importantly, the United States of America."

Television Enjoyment Secrets

2012-07-26T10:47:00.002-07:00

I am getting a great deal of enjoyment out of all of these political ads on television. Not only Obama and Romney, but all of the other "privately" sponsored ads as well. I almost look forward to them appearing on our TV. How is that possible, you ask?

I keep the controller, in hand, mute button at the ready, and the more proficient I get at hitting that button, the less audio I get. I have my button hitting time down to a mini-second.

Oh, the peace and quiet during those commercials, only an occasional hum of our air conditioner unit, or perhaps a car passing by our apartment.

I'm beginning to find out to, that many of the new "reality" shows on TV are much better with the sound off. Especially some of the one-hour shows. Sixty minutes of quiet, so refreshing. No talking, no music, no drama, no yelling, no arguing, and that's just what was on the TV.

My biggest problem now, after watching all these political ads, Obama talking about Romney, in a negative way, and vice versa, is it better to hit the MUTE button, or just turn the whole set off? Actually, with the quality of the new shows, all the commercials on and between shows, political ads, might just be best to get rid of the TV. No, I guess I better wait till after football season, yea, the Olympics too. Just gotta keep that MUTE button handy. Whoops, commercial, CLICK.

The Olympic Torch - Some History

2012-07-26T08:00:00.002-07:00

LONDON – When the most famous flame in sports winds its way through the streets of London before entering the Olympic Stadium and providing the 2012 Games with one of its most iconic images, it will be seen as a touching gesture of symbolism, grace and a nod to the ancient world.

Yet while the torch relay began once again at the historic site of Olympia on May 10 and is an integral part of any Games, its modern incarnation comes laced with sinister undertones that can be traced back to Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party and the controversial 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Many of those witnessing the final journey of the flame July 27 will have little idea that its origins do not lie in ancient Greece, and was instead formulated as a major part of the Nazis' plot to shift international opinion in their favor.

"There had been no such torch relays in the ancient Games or, for that matter, in any of the 10 modern Summer Olympics preceding the Berlin Games," wrote renowned author David Clay Large in his outstanding book, "Nazi Games: The Olympics of 1936," which was published in 2007. "The torch relay was one of but many ways in which the Nazi Games helped define the modern Olympic experience as we know it today."

The torch relay would play a major role in the propaganda offensive backed by Hitler and orchestrated by Dr. Joseph Goebbels. In the lead-up to the Games, the Nazi Propaganda Ministry supported a relay of the Olympic flame that would not only provide spectacular footage for Olympia, the 1938 film that was used to promote the Nazi ideal ahead of World War II, but could also be used for significant political and public relations benefit.

Footsteps

2011-12-17T19:13:00.000-08:00

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it.

"LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

It is rolling around again ..... December 7

2011-12-02T05:55:00.000-08:00

I imagine the number of people who vividly remember this date is dwindling. I am 79, born in 1932, and remember that day as if it were yesterday. As FDR said, "A date which will live in infamy."

I was in Greencastle, Indiana, along with my Mom and Dad, we were visiting my Brother Dean, who was attending DePauw University. We had just finished eating lunch in the Delta Tau Delta house dining room, my brother's fraternity. I was reclining on a big leather couch, suffering from a mild allergy attack from eating too may hot homemade Parker House rolls. I knew better, I was allergic to eggs, but could not resist those hot rolls.

News was coming in on the big Philco Radio in the large Commons Room, which was filled with many students and their parents. I remember hearing, Japan, Pearl Harbor, sneak attack, bombs, aircraft, words like devastation, casualties, ships sinking, words that would soon become commonplace.

The stillness in the crowded room, the expressions on faces, there was a foreboding feeling in the room that made me acutely aware that a disaster had happened, one that would have a dramatic affect on the young men in the room. I had a feeling that they sensed how this would affect their future, that their lives would never be the same, a life altering event.

I remember the three hour drive home, in a Packard Clipper, few to no words were exchanged between the three of us. We drove in silence. The country would soon be at war, and we all knew it. My Dad had served in WWI and knew of war, his Father, Caleb, was in the Civil War, and Dad had heard many stories of the horror of that war. He was the most silent, he knew what the future held.

December 7, 1941, "A date which will live in infamy." We should never forget that date.

See you at the house ...........

Food for Thought

2011-11-30T17:26:00.000-08:00

From the founding of the colonies to the declaration of the Supreme Court, America's heritage is built up on the principles of the Christian religion.

And yet the secularists are dismantling this foundation brick by brick, attempting to deny the very core of our national life.

You weigh the evidence. Consider the following facts which are being systematically erased from our nation's memory:

•In 1892, the Supreme Court of the United States declared, "This is a Christian nation."
•During the War for Independence, Congress resolved to import 20,000 volumes of the Bible because "the use of the Bible is so universal, and its importance so great."
•The New England Confederation stated that the purpose of the colonies was "to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity with peace."
•Harvard College required that each student believe that "the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life."
•John Adams wrotea, "The Christian religion is...the Religion of Wisdom, Virtue, Equity, and humanity."
•Engraved on the metal cap on the top of the Washington Monument are the words "Praise be to God."

See you at the house ..............

The Bridge Builder

2011-11-29T09:43:00.000-08:00

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again will pass this way;
You've crossed the chasm, deep and wide-
Why build you this bridge at the evening tide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today,
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."

Tuesday, November 29,,2011 - Where did November go?

2011-11-29T09:37:00.000-08:00

I was amazed this morning, to find out that November is already over, next thing we know, the year will be gone. I should have known it was almost Christmas, I put our tree up on Thanksgiving Day. Well, I took it out of the plastic bag, carried it to the living room, and put it on a pedastal table, in front of the mirror. I actually did that for our GREAT Grandaughter, Miss Brooklyn, as we call her.

Having Miss Brooklyn for dinner added a whole new dimension to the day for me. She sat at the table with us, had her own plate of food, and was the highlight of the day. How nice it is to have a "little one" around.

Now, I am considering putting the tree, which is maybe 2 feet tall, in a corner, on the floor, so Miss Brooklyn can see it betterr. Making a little "fairyland" for her. And, the tree is a good size for her.

I had another revealation the other day, I am in my 80th year, even though I just turned 79. You live a year before you have your first birthday, so, the day you are born, you are in your first year, so, I am in my 80th year. It took a while for that to be explained to me.

See you at the House ...............

The Table, Under the Window, Next to my Chair

2011-10-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

It's morning, nice and quiet, "Easy Listening" music coming out of the TV, my U.S. Navy coffee cup nearby, working on my second cup, glancing occasionally at the table next to my chair. I have a lifetime of memories on the table, that my Dad make. He made it with a glass top, and a drawer under that, so you see everything in the drawer, that he made near the top.

All the "treasurers" should be in the drawer they don't collect dust, but I have they on top where they are readily visible for me to glance at.

A small photograph of my Mom and Dad, it was one of Mom's favorites, next to that, a photo of my Brother, Dean Shannon Dooley. We were about twelve years apart, so we were never really close fiends, he was always many steps ahead of me. He has always been my "hero" though.

A number of birthday cards, an old tintype of Caleb Dooley, my Grandfather, some things from Brad and Bernie, some things from Melissa, my daughter, a small wood carving from the 40's, purchased in Canada on a trip there, some souvenirs of my Dad and Caleb medals and things.

Also a pair of dice from the Nevada Club, along with a $5 chip from there, could be one that I handled back in the 50's.

My bottle of Dr. Franks, I use it a few times a day, seems to work on my arthritis, and under that bottle my magnets. When I get an ache or a sore spot, I use a magnet, and it goes away in a short time. Hey, it works for me, and there are many people who I suggested those remedy's to, and they have often thanked me.

My Mom always referred to things like those as her "treasures" and these certainly are to me.

In a brief glance I can go from the Civil war, to today, and all that happened in between.

Quiet time, so much "noise" in the world, nice to spend some "quiet" time, with t table full of memories.

An old expression ..............

2011-10-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have heard this expression all of my life. My Mom was a PK, a "Preachers Kid," and many of the visitors at our house were ministers and evangelists, some graying, at 319 South Brown Street in Dayton, Ohio, and as someone was leaving, heard that expression.

I have many more years behind me than I have ahead of me, I know that. I recently turned 79, a year away from the big 80, so I have many years of experience to fall back on.

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