State of "normalcy"?

Webster says normalcy is the state of being normal. What is normal?
It seems like things are returning to "normal". The fundraisers for my best friend Mike are over (for now--and have been VERY successful), kids are in school, TJ has a new truck, gas prices are at $2.03, I still have a job, a family, my faith, my church, my hobbies, so it seems like things are getting back to "normal". Again, I ask, what is normal?

I get up early, kiss my wife goodbye as she leaves for work, say my prayers, read my Bible a bit, then leave so I can race other people to work just to make a buck. That same buck gets split so many ways.....mortgage, Uncle Sam, car payment, insurance, utilities, yada yada yada. Then I race home to find more ways to split the buck that I made until it's totally gone, and then I go to bed...

Everyone says that things will get back to normal after the big election. Like my vote for President actually means anything to anyone but me, I still will cast my ballot next Tuesday. I believe that we should all vote, and we do make a difference in the smaller races, but the Presidential race has long been decided, IMO. Again, what is normal?

Pontius Pilate while questioning Jesus before His crucifixion asked Jesus "What is Truth"? but wait a minute, the Truth was standing before him. I think possibly Pilate knew the Truth, but was afraid to stand up for the Truth. I just had a fella in my office telling me a dirty joke. This may not bother some of you, but to me, it's an insult to my Jesus and what He stands for. Did he think he did anything wrong? Not in his mind. He thought it was funny. Did I laugh? I can honestly say no. I simply said "That's disgusting" & turned away, but did I stand up for Jesus?

BTW....Mike has returned to work!! He is working a limited schedule, and is doing well. He starts a 16 week regiment of heavy duty chemo soon, so please keep him in your prayers!!

101st post...

Looks like a rainy day today! The other day Dan had a 100% chance of rain for Wednesday. Well, looks like his forecast verified! We can use the rain & it should make for a very pretty fall here in NE Oklahoma in the next couple of weeks.

Our benefit garage sale went very well.....we raised over $1,700.00 for Mike and this will help him greatly! Thanks to all who were involved!! This year has really been a heavy time for me, but especially for Mike. I am looking forward to the day when his doctor declares him cancer free!! And then I will shave my playoff beard!! YAY!!!

I spoke with Lanny Dean earlier & he and I want to organize a chaser gathering, so stay tuned for an announcement about a gathering sometime in November, just to hang out & visit about the perils of chasing, share videos & pics, & have a little fun...

Good afternoon,
Mike is doing well--resting a lot at home. He will get the staples removed this week. He is still in quite a bit of pain so please continue to pray for him. Please pray for Mike's financial situation as he has learned that he may have to start over on his medical deductibles. He was informed by his workplace that his deductible runs from September to September, meaning that he may have to start over paying his deductibles.

Our benefit garage sale is this Friday & Saturday for Mike!! Helen Underwood and Jerrie Walden, along with several others have volunteered countless hours sorting, pricing, and organizing this huge event. To them, I say THANK YOU!! And to those of you that we'll see Friday & Saturday, THANK YOU!! All proceeds from the sale go straight to help Mike with his medical bills. Also, if you would just like to donate to Mike, please let me know.

Also...our On The Edge youth group will be having a "Cram Nite" (youth gathering) this Friday at 7:00pm. We will have dinner, fun-n-games, and a message from God's Word. If you have youth-age kids (7th thru 12th grade), they are invited!!

sunrise this morning....

This was the view from Verdigris this morning....absolutely breathtaking!!

The good Samaritan.....

In our youth lesson last night we talked about the good Samaritan and how we can be like him. You know, after Jesus told the story, he commanded us to "go and do likewise". What kind of good Samaritan opportunities do you come across, and how do you react? That was the question that I posed to the kids. Do we simply pass by on the other side of the street like the Priest & the Levite did? Or do we stop being busybodies long enough to help out a friend, brother, or neighbor? I hope we choose the latter but too many times we don't. It's a simple choice, and easy to say in church, but what does our lives show? That is what He is looking for....

Mike is at home!!!!

Praise the Lord, Mike is home!! I am so glad that everything has went so well concerning his surgery & recovery, I just know that he has had a Helping Hand, if you catch my drift...

He is resting and still has a long way to go, so don't stop praying.

Here is a picture of Mike so you can put a face with the name!

Thank you all again! Mike is very blessed with many friends!!

Great news!!!!!

Sally, Mike's fiancee just called with some awesome news!! Mike is doing really well. The doc says that he has NEVER had anyone recover so fast from this type of surgery! He may even get to go home tomorrow!! He walked three times yesterday and gets to eat a little real food today!! I can't thank everyone enough for your thoughts & prayers for Mike. Please continue to pray for him and for our fundraiser car wash on October 17th & 18th at the Verdigris car wash at Highway 66 and Gordon Road...if you have any donations, please let me know.