Friday, September 27, 2013

This Sunday's Sermon

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This Sunday's message is:  WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT

I think you'll want to hear this one.  It's going to be a real eye-opener for sure, and will take many people by surprise.

This is a message about marriage, what to do when life runs dry, and God's conern for the little things that are important to us.

And oh yea, it's about wine too.  Some people really hate this aspect about Jesus. :-)

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Update


Renae and I have settled-in to our new living arrangements.  It’s comfortable and we’re enjoying the stay with my mother.

We finally got our house plans submitted to a draftsman.  We sketched out the floor plan ourselves, but now it’s up to the draftsman to make the official plans and get the engineering done.  Once that is completed, we can submit them to the county permit office for approval and pull our permits.

We are very pleased with the floor plan we’ve designed.  It’s tailored specifically for the two of us.

We’ve put most of the emphasis in the kitchen area and the master suite – the two areas where we spend most of our time.

Plus, we will have a front porch (actually a corner porch that wraps around two sides) and a Florida room on the back.  We spend as much time outdoors as we do inside, so this will be a nice feature for us.

The house will only be a two bedroom.  We’ve put the square footage in the kitchen, master suit, and porches.

The extra bedroom will be enough for overnight guests, such as the grandchildren to spend the night, but will prevent anyone from moving in with us long term. 

Smiley face goes here.

I’ve been practicing with my cast nets the last few weeks and have gotten a lot better.  I am ready to do some serious mullet fishing.

Red Snapper season opens next week.  I hope to catch a few of those too.  They are some of the best fish you can eat (besides fresh mullet, of course).

During the month of October I plan to go fishing as much as possible. 

October is a good time to fish – the temperatures are mild, the water clears up and gets oxygenated, and the fish are very active!  The inshore waters are teeming with life.  It’s amazing to see.

I’ve seen more porpoises in the last couple of years (in the local waters) than I have ever seen in my life around here.  It’s exciting to see them feeding on mullet.

I might make an attempt at shrimping too.

Low Country Boil – that’s what’s in my future.

This weekend I will begin planting my fall garden.  Lot’s of greens: mustard, collards, turnips, kale, lettuce, and cabbage. 

Might try carrots again.  I did real good with them last year.

I still don’t have internet at home, so adding new posts to my blog is still slow. 

Right now it’s Thursday, 4:10 p.m. and I’ve just finished my work, so I can take the time to write from the office.

When I get an internet connect at home, my blogging activity will resume its normal pace – about 4-5 postings each week.

Thanks for staying in touch.



Thursday, September 19, 2013

Catch Up


Phillip Polk last Sunday
It has been 2 weeks since I last posted on this blog.  The reason is because I’ve bee too busy.  We sold our home, had to move, set up house in a new location, and don’t have internet access yet.

All of my internet activity is from the office – which I limit until all my work is done.

Right now it’s 3:15 p.m. (at the office) on Thursday.  Finally got my head above water so I thought I’d do a quick catch-up.

Phillip Polk preached for us last Sunday and did a good job.  Really enjoyed hearing him and was very pleased with his delivery, content, transparency, and closing.

I’ll be preaching this Sunday.

I feel fortunate that PCC has so many gifted communicators to fill the pulpit from time-to-time.  Not only does it give me a break (so that I have time to give attention to other responsibilities), but it exposes our church family to more than one perspective on the Christian life.

The big one that got away.
Good things are happening at our church.  Many of them are visible, many not-so-visible.

God is always doing stuff… good stuff.

Renae and I went fishing several days ago.  I caught a large Redfish, but it flipped out of my hand and fell back into the water.  Dang!  I think the fish was about 24-28 inches in length, but I’ll never know for sure.

Planting a fall garden is just around the corner.  Can’t wait. 

I love to garden.  It’s exciting to plant a seed, work the soil, and see that seed grow into a beautiful plant that produces something my family and I can eat.  And the best part is, I like being outdoors and picking everything that I need for a meal from my own garden and bringing it to the table.

It’s satisfying to know I can grow food that is better than anything I can buy at the grocery store or eat in a restaurant.

We are very anxious to get started on our new home too.  I will post pictures (or video) of every phase of the building process.





Friday, September 6, 2013

Friday Factoids

Five Jack Russells being moved yesterday
Renae and I are completely out of our house.  The final papers  will be signed this afternoon about 3:00 p.m.

The picture at the right is my five Jack Russell Terries being moved.

Some people thought it was pretty red neck.

More like Sanford & Sons.

Can't wait to haul this outfit to Scheppersville.  :-)

Now begins the next phase.

We’re staying with my mother for a couple of months – until we get our new house plans finalized and the permits pulled.  At that time, we will move to our property and begin construction on the new home.

I will be looking for sub-contractors soon (and will compile a list of names and phone numbers).  If you can recommend any to me, let me know.

It’s a bit stressful to be displaced.  Most of our belongings are in storage, and the rest is packed in boxes.  It’s hard to find anything.

I might have to wear Bermuda shorts and flip flops to church this Sunday.

Hope to get a fall garden planted in the next couple of weeks. 

This year I will plant collards, mustard greens, and carrots.  Maybe kale & turnips again.  (Kale is a super food).

Also plan to try my hand at cabbage, lettuce, and broccoli.

I really love fall gardens – the air is cool and the ground is warm enough to germinate seeds (unlike it is in early spring).

Fall gardening is rewarding for another reason – it’s a second-season planting.

I’m also looking forward to falling fishing.  Last year about this time I caught a lot of fish; mullet and speckled trout in the month of October.

This fall I’m going to try my hand at shrimping.  Think I have figured out how to do it.

Low-country boil… that’s what I’m talking about.

This Sunday at PCC is going to be exceptional. 

Invite a friend, then take them out to lunch afterwards.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Sunday Mind Dump - September 1, 2013


We had an exceptional service today. 

Attendance was slightly off due to the holiday weekend (at least 12 families I know of were traveling, camping, etc), but a lot of visitors helped fill the gap.

The song service was powerful.  Really enjoyed the songs.

Renae Jones, Sandra Brooks, and Philip Polk nailed the offertory: How Great Thou Art.

During the message you could’ve heard a pin drop.

We looked at the story of Martha & Mary when Jesus visited their home.

Next Sunday I will finish the message.

The following Sunday (Sept 15) we will have a guest speaker that day.

Personal Stuff…

Me and Renae are almost finished with moving.  Our house is virtually empty – we are down to two chairs, one TV, and a mattress on the floor. 

We have to be out on Tuesday; and will close the sale of our house on Wednesday.

Tomorrow (Monday) will be the final moving day.

Also tomorrow our Mediacom and internet is being turned off, so I will be unplugged for a few days.

I should be posting again by mid-week.  Keep checking back.

The moving process and displacement has been a little stressful, but we are very excited about building a new home.

Thanks for being at church today. 

Blessings.