There may come a day when in a perfect set of circumstances I would drive my old truck to this location or one similar and my dog and I would spend the day in my office (study). Think of the sermons I could crank out with God's help in a place like this. I could probably finish the books I have started and work uninterrupted for hours on end. . . .

I guess this is wishful thinking Monday.

Elvis sang, "Build my mansion next door to Jesus," but I prefer the old country gospel song that says it best, "Build me a cabin in the corner of gloryland." I've never been all that impressed with mansions. I'd settle for a modest little cabin anyday.
This has been a nice thought and although this place doesn't exist I have taken a brief trip there in my mind and now I need to get back to work.

The following post is for Willy W. who has spent the last three weeks of his life chasing all over France and England and a few places in between. He has taken pictures and posted them for all of us Licking County folks who have stayed here and lived our everyday ordinary lives. This is my gift back to you Mr. W. A pictorial taste of good old Newark and Licking County:

Per request, I have added a couple more pictures from our county.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Isaiah 55:1

Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."

Why are your garments red like those of one treading the winepress?

"I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me." Isaiah 63:1-3

". . .The Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. I Corinthians 11:23-26

We will remember our Lord this evening at Newark Naz. as we eat the bread and drink from the cup. Let us gather together on our knees.

Thankful on this Monday morning to be still ahead in the weight loss game. I post this picture so that I can once again be reminded of what I was like eight or nine years ago. Why can some people eat whatever they want whenever they want and never seem to gain a pound? I can look at food and gain pounds and inches.

I have laid aside the Atkins diet for the first time in years and now I am trying to just watch my portions. Funny, after all these years I still can't bring myself to eat dessert or anything sweet. I don't plan on changing this anytime soon. It must be true that old habits die hard. I think not eating sweets is a good habit but what about the habits we develop that are harmful to us. Are they just as hard to break? Of course they are.

In this week of remembering the passion of our Lord I want to press in closer to Him then I have ever been. I also want to lead others to do the same. The old song says,

I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day.
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

This is a week for funerals and dealing with death. Because of a schedule arranged in January I am not preaching this weekend and it is a good thing. I have a funeral this morning and a wedding rehearsal tonight. I have a funeral tomorrow morning and a wedding tomorrow evening. Last night I went to another funeral home for a viewing of yet a third funeral that is being held today.
Death is a reality for everyone. Being in the room when someone passes from this life is part of my "job" but I never get used to it. I found out this week that it is really hard when you feel close to the person. Is it okay for pastors to cry with the family? I will miss Karen and Chauncey. I will miss Karen coming early to church so she could hear the music twice and I will miss Chauncey because he will leave a hole in the ministry of our church and in my heart. I thank God for the memory of these two people and for the privilege of being their pastor and friend.

In the words of that great George Jones song, Who's going to fill their shoes?