"I'm going to dance her away.................."

It's been a while since I posted. I'm a teacher. School has started. Those leisurely days of summer have gone, and getting on here to post has been on the bottom of my list. I'm sorry to have disappointed the multiple thousands, maybe even millions by now, that have been faithfully checking this site daily for some crumb of wisdom, just to give their life meaning and to get them through the day. By the way, I'm am definitely not a sarcastic person.

So, what's up with the title? Well, I saw a TV commercial this morning about a man in his forties or fifties who just found out that he had diabetes and he was talking about his new blood sugar meter that was going to help him stay on top of the disease so that he could raise his 4 1/2 year old daughter and be able to 'dance her away' at her wedding. He even planned on celebrating her 40Th birthday with her. Hey, buddy, I got news for you. You got an awfully late start and there is a reason why our childbearing years are when we are young. Oh, well, better you that me. I have seven beautiful, extremely intelligent grandchildren, some older than your kid, and after I have a great time with them, spoil them, ring out all of the 'fun' to be had for the moment, guess where they go?? And by the way, they're probably a lot cuter and smarter than yours...(whoa, paPa......now you're getting mean). But I digress, as a friend of the family says, so back to the point I want to make.

I have not been so gracious, at times, dancing mine 'away.' I'm not referring to the dance floor at their weddings. No, I was awesome there. You should have seen my 'moves.' No, I'm talking about letting them grow up and leave. Whether that means my home, my state, or, yes, my country. I'm working on my 'dance moves' and will just have to keep on practicing I guess. You lose some of your 'flexibility' when you get older and some 'moves' are just difficult to pull off. By the way, I digress yet again. Have you noticed how I like to put this ' ----' around many of my words? We never laughed so hard as a family when we saw a sign while traveling that said, "Fresh" Fudge and "Hot" coffee...good times!" in the window of a conveninence store. Just what kind of coffee and fudge was that???


Have you ever noticed too that the world, for as much as 'they' study the behavior of man, has no real answers as to why man 'dances' as he does (does wrong?)...The sermon, the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus, teaches us about the 'dance moves' of man (nature of man, the problem with man, and the solution needed.) The nature of man (all of mankind) is that he is a sinner (Romans 3:23), the problem with man is that he cannot fix himself (Jeremiah 13:23), and the solution man needs is forgiveness that comes from the cross of Jesus Christ. I'm so happy to have the solution for my 'faulty moves' on the 'dance floor' of life!!!! (...but, hey, some of those moves were pretty awesome.)

Who needs a disco ball!!!!!

To 'blog' or not to 'blog'

It's been 10 days since my last blog posting and a lot of life has gone by. In fact, I've been too busy to even reflect on the last 10 days. I wouldn't even know where to begin. I feel numb, uninspired, tired and just dried up today....(funny how one student can do that to you.)

So, what's a guy to do? Make a short posting just so the 1000's that read my blog won't think I'm dead! Here's goes, and this is the best thing I can think to say right now:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:54-58

Hot, Burning Sand on a Kid's Feet!

As a child growing up, my parents took us to basically two locations for a vacation. We either went to the mountains or to the beach. One particular memory from those times was going to a Florida beach in the middle of the summer and experiencing the burning, hot sand under my feet as I made my way to the water, the whole reason for going there in the first place! To me it was a large giant pool, those cool waters of the ocean. I couldn't wait to explore all the secret promises it held for me. Nothing was more fun. But, I had to get there by way of the hot, burning sand. Needless to say, it was a very quick, painful run, but worth it in the end.

As I looked a Isaiah 35 again today in my Bible study, I was struck by this passage: ..."the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water;"


For sure, if I stayed on course and focused on my destination, I reached that cool water every time, and boy were those waters a relief! Yesterday, I thought about how important it is for me to maintain proper focus. I can't just sit around and stare into an empty nest. And, one thing is for sure, everyone who has raised a family and then sends them on their way is faced with looking in new directions and re-focusing. So, put on those new glasses!!!

Christ has promised, He Promised!! that He is all we need on this earth and that He can fill every need. Looking in a new direction and re-focusing is uncomfortable for me...and frankly, I feel dryed up and dehydrated by it all. This 'thirsty ground' called "Mike" needs some spiritual H2O.

To sum it up, I found this story told to be 'refreshing!'

One time a missionary in India spoke near a fountain on the subject, "Jesus, the Water of Life." A Muslim interrupted, "Your religion is like this little stream of water, but Islam is like a great ocean!" "Yes," said the missionary, "but there is this difference: When men drink ocean water they die of thirst. When they drink the water of life which Christ gives, they live forever!" The stream is small, but it can satisfy your thirst. "He who has the Son has life" (John 3:36).

And now that Jesus has poured His life out unto death for me, I realize again that I find my life in Him.

Cheers and drink up!