FRIDAY - DQ treats.

Well the suspense is over. Micah made it and we all went to Dairy Queen. Well all had the famous chili dogs. Man did they hit the spot. Then to top it of 2 hot fudge sundaes and 3 small dipped cones for the little ones. Abbi decided to enjoy hers by making a ice cream beard on her face. Hannah at first just wanted to like the dipped coating. But she soon realized that this was not going to far. She went in after the kill after that. Micah was the only child that ate everything. I asked him on the way home if he ate to much. His reply was "uuuffff! Yes!".

You know it is great to have a big family and just do small stuff with them. This afternoon we went to the library, park and DQ. They are all now in their pj's watching Dora the Explorer. I love being a family man. As for you losers that think raising kids is your wife's job. Get real and Get involved. I don't regret a thing. I think if my grandparents can manage 8 then I can love and care for 3.

Until tomorrow...

Thur. The worlds largest bug zapper.

Well I am attending Mid-Continent University. It is a very small school. But there is one thing you will not miss if you are driving down the road at night. The worlds largest bug zapper. I guess they decided to point a huge blinding light up in to the sky. Was this a way to call aliens??? LOL! No I am guessing that it has to do with being the "light of the world". On closer observation you will see tht there are bugs flying up in what seems to be miles in the sky. They are attracted to this light. To take that picture where you can see the bugs I had to swirl the camera to blur the image. That way the bugs will show up. I was too far away to really do it any justice.

Anyway if you think about it. Why are the bugs attracted to that light? Is it because they are dumb and like to beat themselves senseless? No....I suspect if you will think. You will come to the realization that the bugs think that it is daylight. They want out of the darkness. They want the light.

We are much like these bugs. The world has us boxed in an it is dark. We will beat ourselves up trying to reach anything that gives us hope. To many times we look to the wrong thing. This light is artificial. Once we are in the true light we are FREE! Think about it....

John 1:9-10
9The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world.
10But although the world was made through him, the world didn't recognize him when he came.

Wed. Micah and the stars.

Well Micah (my oldest son) is in grade school now. We use to have check marks by our names if we did bad stuff in class. Now it is the almighty star charts. It seems as though his teacher is just looking for a chance to take away his stars. LOL !! Just joking Kassa (Picture compliments of my brother) . No in all seriousness Micah has troubles keeping all of his stars. With anything from "Inappropriate Bath Room Behavior" to just general Hughes jibber jabber mouth. But Micah has done well this week. I hope he can hold on for 2 more days.

Part of my reasoning is that we are all going to go to the DQ. I have been wanting to go. But we made a deal with him. If he loses no stars we go to DQ. I can almost taste a DQ sundae or blizzard right now. Go son I know you can do it!!

Tue. Hurricane housing and trip to Gulf Port.

Well after much calling and planning our church will be headed down to Gulf Port, MS. I am hoping to go and make a difference. I keep thinking of the scripture in Isaiah where God asks him who shall he send. Isaiah answers with almost child like anticipation "Here I am Lord! Send me.". So I can finally put my words to action. Anyway the dates are Nov 13-19 this year. We will be helping Bayou View Baptist Church there. They have lost a lot and I pray that we can help in anyway God sees fit.

As for today we finally started working on the hurricane housing. I have wrote before about the katrina victims being housed in a camp in Murray. Well MSU has been gracious enough to allow us to house some families in a more home environment. Today 4 of us lifted 4 new refrigerators into these apartments. I already have seen a interdenominational work here. There is 1st Christian Church, 1st Methodist Church, Glendale Church of Christ and us at PSBC. God's people doing God's work. Amen and Amen!

Mon. Right into the presence of God.

<sup>What keeps most people from truly worshipping Christ? I can't speak for all, but I see a few things that would help us to understand what stands in the way of true worship.

Well the first thing is that a person will not ever worship Christ without becoming a Christian (salvation). That may seem simple minded but there is truth in that. There was an estimate at one time that said that the majority in churches are not Christians. That could or could not be true. But that is scary anyway.

The main thing is see is that we keep ourselves from true worship. We begin to think of the sinner that we were and the sins we commit and think we are worth nothing. We may be a Christian but we enter the doors emotionally and physically beaten down. Christ doesn't look at us like that. Read the passage in Ezk I have place in here for you to read.

Ezkiel 36:25-26 25</sup>"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. ²⁶And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart

Who is the one doing the work? It is God. Once we become Christians he begins the cleaning. Do you honestly think that God could not clean you up? I put in bold the places where it says "I will". Notice there is no hesitation. Instantly God begins his work in our lives.

Finally read this passage:

Hebrews 10:21-22 ²¹And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's people, ²²let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Praise God!! We can go right into his presence boldly. Not because of what we have done but because of WHO he is. All our evil and sinful desires have been sprinkled with the blood of Christ. All is made clean. So we go boldly in to the presence of God understanding that Christ did it all!!

Sun. Looking out the window and watching it rain.

I am setting in our kitchen right now watching it rain outside. This is one of those peaceful rains it is not too windy and there is no thunder. Just a good rain. There is something relaxing about watching the rain fall.

Last night I contracted what I will label "Montezuma's Revenge". I had just finished going over my Sunday School Material and then it hit me. At first I thought to myself "Oh, great!" because I thought it was just another "episode". But after about 1hour I realized this was something in the stomach area. So I spent the rest of the night hugging the white seat. I am feeling somewhat better now. But man that was not fun.

Until we meet again...

Sat. I put tar on the roof.

It's the weekend again. Days use to inch by when I was younger but now they seem to take flight and speed by. I am going to get my haircut later and hope to rent a few movies. This is a family day and I have been slacking in that department lately. Nobody has said anything but I just know. My family is my life and I miss that time with them. I know they might not care but I do. Yesterday I came home and just sit down with each child and played with them.

Hannah has been using these counting bears that Buffy bought for Micah to learn with. So I sit down in the floor and just counted with her. She is growing to fast.

Abbi was dedicated to watching this Disney movie so I just set down and cuddled with her. I would watch her as something scary would come up. She covers her ears. If you have spent anytime with her you would know that. She will be turning 4 next month. She will be in Pre-K next year and that should be right. She was just in the hospital. My little miracle girl. You will never know how worried I was about you.

Micah my boy wasn't really doing anything but we did sit down and use these cards Buffy bought. They are some sort of card that you sew the thread in and out of. Kinda strange but I guess it is for fine motor skills. We all know that chicks dig guys with skills. So go son go! He will be turning 6 next month. He is learning stuff way to fast and growing up way to fast.

As for Buffy I didn't spend as much time with her last night. She wanted to watch some mushy TV show and I am not really in to that. But now as I think back. I should have spent that time watching it with her. I am absolutely sure she has set through some stuff she didn't like with me. Sorry honey. We have been married over 11 years and it get sweeter each day. I love you with all that I have.

As for this day I mowed the yard(cant wait for it to die). Then I went up to tar the roof. There was a leak and I think I figured out the problem. I also tied up the monster of a tomato plant I have. One would think that a person that has NEVER planted a tomato plant would not have such success. But it is huge. I think it tried to bite me today.

Anyway until next time...

Fri. Chicken Wings and Eye of the tiger.

Yesterday me and my brother went to lunch at Nick's. The have a dish there that is my favorite. Chicken Wings are one of the greatest meals ever. I have always thought that I could eat an endless supply of them. Well I met my demise yesterday.

Nick's had a special 11.99 for 30 wings. I am thinking to my self that is cheap for 2 people to eat. I ask my brother about this and he agrees to the task. The waitress shows up and gets our order. Rachel (My brother's g/f) shows up and orders. All is well and the wait was not long.

Well here is the mistake that I think we made. We ordered French Fries. That would take up some much needed room in our stomach area. Then to make matters worse after Rachel leaves we take her leftover French Fries. Man we should have went with straight wings.

While the wings are being devoured I notice that our speeds are different. John is faster but only eating the drum stick type. I am eating slower because I am going for the wings. So I speed up the process. We continue this feast.

Finally as we sit there almost sick from the amount of chicken we have ate we peer down at the plate. There are 4 chicken wings left. We needed motivation. I am almost ready to throw the towel in. Then our inspiration comes.....

Daaa Daaa Da Da....Da Da Da ...Da Da Daaaaaaaaaaa! Yes that is right it is Survivors Song "Eye of the Tiger" . We then look at each other and dive in. We finished those bad boys yesterday and I must thank the motivational song for the help.

I must say I was almost sick from eating to much. But John we had a good time.

Thursday and the MSU horror show.

You may or may not have seen my original post on a suspicious activity that happened on campus a week back. Well the horror show has continued on MSU campus again. I was driving by and noticed some farm equipment setting out on a corner road. Much to my surprise I see these two pictures.

Horror Pic 1 Horror Pic 2

Warning this material should be viewed by those who know better than to take me serious.

Something very fishy is happening to Murray. I will get to the bottom of this. I will keep you informed as events happen. But until then....Be afraid be very afraid.

I hope your Thursday goes well and John we may have ate to many chicken wings today.

Wednesday and the 2 ninjas.

Well I am sitting here this morning and my daughters come out of their room. They are both saying "whoo haaa! haaa heaaa!". Then I notice one has their play broom and the other has their play mop. The then begin to sing a song off of the movie Mulan.

Let's get down to business,
to defeat the Huns!

Did you send me daughters,
When I asked for sons!

My daughters love that movie. It was cute and kind of touches your heart to see the imagination of a child. Makes you think back to the days when you did the same. It is relaxing. I will post pictures I took of these two girl ninjas later today.

Ninja 1 Ninja 2

Tuesday and I am busy as you can be.

Well I got to work today and met with our friends from Uganda. The are missionaries in Africa and the town is Called Jinja. Well we got thier domain name and website up and running. In 3 days you should be able to go to www.fillinghisnets.com.

After thier departure I then juggled finishing my budget request information for our up coming finance committee meeting and finishing my paper for class tonight. It was a hard task but it all got done.

Then I made the hard decision to cancel our Youth Lockin this Friday night. With a combination of lack of help and other factors I feel that it was the best decision. I am sorry youth but this had to be done and we will work something out later.

Finally class was tonight and it went great. The way I calculate I have attended 8 classes in 2. We meet for 4 hours on Tuesday nights. So you do the math and you will see it all adds up. I feel like that too simply because the reading is intense. But I am determined! Lord kick the A.D.D. out of the way and let me stay on track.

Well I hope you all have a great night and be looking for Thursdays new blog. I have some more disturbing pictures from MSU. Until then be safe.

Monday and "The shadow proves the sunshine"

Well the new Switchfoot CD is out. The name is "Nothing is sound". I suggest you all go out and by this CD. The song "The shadow proves the sunshine" in the CD really stuck out to me today. You know we all have those days that we think the world is caving in on us. This song allows us to look at the Psalm 23 in a different view. We so often look as this as the death and grave Psalm.

¹The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
²He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
³He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,*
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
⁶Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I notice it says shadow. It's doesn't say we are walking in death. But in the shadow of it. Praise God that the SON shines and although death is certain ...eternal death is not. Christ died so that we might live with him eternally. So as you have one of those days that you think the world is caving in. Just realize you may be walking through a shadowed valley. But the shadow proved that the son is there.

You can listen to a clip of this song on Walmart's music site.
Click here to listen to the songs.

I think you have to use IE to listen to this music here.

Sunday and Buffy the Zipper fixer

Another Sunday has almost come and gone. Saturday we went to town and since the weather has suddenly become cooler than normal we bought the kids some fall jackets. Well Buffy with her Pre-jail Martha Stewart skill thought of a cheap but unique way to let the children pick out thier jackets. We simply went to the children's departent at Wally World and then to the craft department to let them pick out iron on patches. This was a great and cheap way for the kids to have fun picking out thier stuff.

Well today Buffy ironed on the patches not paying attention to the PLASTIC zipper and sorta melted the zipper on one of the jackets. She postulated and decide to sit on the couch with a pair of scissors or some sharp object and fix this. Well needless to say after her work her effort was not in vain. Buffy the Zipper fixer has saved the day. Up up and away............

Saturday the party

Well I went to Buffy's sister's house last night for the b-day party. Trevor Webb has been dating my niece something fierce for a good while now. I already consider him a party of the family. Actually you could move niece out and move Trevor if you want my opinion (LOL JOKING niece). Anyway the party was fun. The kids ran around like wild things and then I just hung out with some of the guys and talked. It was fun. Trevor I think the play cop gear you got was cool but the talkin' Napoleon dolls was the greatest.

Well tomorrow is coming quick and I hope you all have prepared yourself for worship. Our Sunday School lessons are some of my favorite stuff to learn and teach. As Solomon would say I have realized that if you are living in the world. It all is meaningless. All of it. But if Christ lives in you have a new purpose. A new life. Live it for Him!! Until tomorrow...

Friday I have 2 things for you to ponder.

Well Friday is here. This week has been very busy for us. It started in full force. Sunday morning was Homecoming and fellowship dinner. Sunday night I preached at a revival with a meal as well. Monday my wife works I am home with the little ones and then revival again. Tuesday I work all day and then classes at night until 10:00PM. Wednesday Buffy my sugar momma works again and then revival (last night). Thursday night at our church is visitation night, but we had a back to school blast at Micahs school.

Then tonight ole TREVOR my long lost 3 brother has a B-day party. I truly feel for him and wish I could give him lots of money to pay for the future medications he will need for his nerve pills. He is dating Nisha who has been mentioned in previous articles.

I think Saturday is free. But the way this week has gone. Who knows???

That was the first thing to ponder....

Second thing we will call the 70MPH Spider. Today I get in the car and to the typical roll down and up the windows that many of us without garages do. This has a 2 fold purpose. First it removes the dew from your windows. Second it also removes the dirt caked on by yesterday.

Well I peer out on my right side and notice a spider. The semi-scary arachnid has made a web from my side mirror to my window. I roll up the window and proceed to take my son to school. Well I think he will fall off almost immediately. No !!!! He rolls up into a ball and clings for dear life on his web of steel. I drive about 45 down our road. He never falls off. I get on 121 and get up to a cruising speed of 60mph. He is still there. I drive halfway to Murray and decide to test how much this spider can take. I hit 70 MPH and he never falters. I then decrease speed and he stays. Just as we get to the fair grounds he met his demise. A 18 Wheel monster driving the opposite direction comes our way. I am doing about 60MPH and lets just say the other vehicle is doing the same. So I am figuring this spider will be my new pet if he can handle a wind gust of over 120 mph. It is a no go. Poor thing didn't even see it coming. I left the spider at the fair grounds but I have a feeling he is still alive. BTW I have a new appreciation for the truck drivers now. Go get em guys!!

You ever realized how we cling to the world and all it has to offer us like that spider? We hold on for dear life like a child that is going to the doctor to get a shot. It is our world ...We like it...We don't want to surrender control to God. But Oh if you ever do you will realize how futile the fight was and how wonderful it is to let Christ be our Lord.

thursday-->Hazmat team.

These pictures were taken Sept 15. The location was at Murray State University right in the Industrial and Technology Building. We noticed this suspicious activities and felt a need to inform you the public of this movement. Warning the pictures in this set may cause haunting dreams.

Hazmat 1

Hazmat 2

This looks verrrrrrry fishy? BTW Derek this building is close to yours. I think they may be coming for you.

wednesday-->Maranatha

Hope ...Where is the hope we can offer those who lose everything? The world offers hope in education, money, fame, fortune and material things. But these things all decay. We must cling to something that has eternal value. I think that Paul had it right. As a man with many problems (prison, beatings, thorn in side and daily life) he says, "Maranatha!".

This word consists of two Aramean words, Maran'athah, meaning, "our Lord comes," or is "coming."

1 Cor 16:22
"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." (KJV)

"If anyone does not love the Lord —a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!" NIVV)

"If anyone won't love the Master, throw him out. Make room for the Master!" (The Message)

"I pray that God will put a curse on everyone who doesn't love the Lord. And may the Lord come soon." CEVV)

There are fourdifferentt versions here. This is a way to study to get a very descriptive view. In the book "The Purpose Driven Life" Rick Warren describes that the Bible uses over 11,280 Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words. But in today's typical English versions we only use 6,000. So it is best to reada lott of versions to dive deep into the word. Unless you are a Greek , Hebrew and Aramaic scholar.

I say all that to say this. We have a lost world reaching out for everything the world offers. But all they find is emptiness. We have the hope. We have the answers to the questions. And yet we stay in our closets and let the world go down hill. Look at what Paul was really saying. He was yelling out Jesus is Coming!! Jesus is Coming Soon!! Come Jesus Come!!

We should have a since of urgency in our steps when it comes to eternity. Get out there and live a Maranatha life.

tuesday--> The true hearted

Well today I was in my office and Bob Waldrop came in. Bob is our Sunday School Director and jack of many trades here at the church. Bob just returned from Gulf Port, Mississippi. His daughter and son-in-law's house was damaged from Hurricane Katrina. The very minute Bob could he went down to help his family rebuild a damaged home. This type of attitude is one that we should all adopt.

Bob could barely contain his emotions as he recounted the days in Gulf Port. He was there 11 days. He said the Television did not give you even half a clue as to what the devastation is down there. They don't talk about the people getting ripped off by these people that go down there and "help them" rebuild (FOR A PRICE). They don't tell you that the only hot meals you get are at shelters and that most are without power. They don't show you how people are just sitting around hopeless. See not everyone has carpentry skills. So if your house is devastated. You just sit outside it and ponder on what to do. The since of hopelessness is unreal Bob explained. With tears in his eyes I saw a changed man. I saw a man with the realization that we have it really good here in Murray, KY.

To add so my frustration of people I noticed these vulcuture like political reporters. The are hitting the mayors and governors with these crazy questions.

Well did you do this....
Well did the President say this....
Well why didn't this happen...

I think these idiots ought to be locked up. If they have no better thing to do then question why??? If they were reporting what is happening now. If there were reporting how this is working out. If they were reporting who is being saved. They might be on track. Instead they choose to be the scum of the earth and play their political games. I have this to say:

GROW UP AND HELP YOU LOSERS!!

You know when you point the finger at someone you have 3 others pointing back at you. What are you doing to help? Reporting failures in the process is not helping. You are only discouraging people. In that you are a failure.

Well anyway I think I got that off my chest. Pray for those in the hurting areas. Help in any way you can. And Praise God that he is on his Throne!

monday--> Revival day 2

Well the hour is closing where we will leave for our 2nd night of revival. Our speaker is Jerry Lee and I am sure there will be special music as well. I am looking forward to this event and may edit this post later tonight to fill you in on what God did at PSBC.

A big thanks to all of the PSBC crew that showed up for my revival sermon. It was a long haul for most of you and I appreciate your support. Well until we meet again.....

sunday--> Revival(s)

Well Sunday was a day of revival for sure. I went to our church for our 118th Homecoming and the beginning of our revival. We had a great time and the church was pack. Our FLC or Gym was packed to the walls with people eating and fellowshipping.

Sunday night I preached a sermon at my ole stompin grounds. Coldwater Methodist Church right in the heart of the large city of Coldwater. They also had a fellowship meal. So I had 2 free meals in one day. It almost reminds me of Thankgiving time.

Back to the sermon...I preached out of Ephesians and with the title renewed. God over the years has showed me that many churches don't really want revival to come. They just want to have thier traditional "Revival". That goes for Methodist, Baptist, Church of Christ and the many hundreds of denominations out there. True revival starts in the hearts of the members in the church and flows out to the world. I think my sermon went well. I just pray that Christ was seen and preached and that is all.

saturday--> Back Yard Grill

Well saturday's here. Another weekend full of excitement. My mother went into the hospital last night. Everything is good now. Mom if you read this ... we have some wacked bodies. Mine stumps the Doctors all the time. But the key is that we keep on ticking even when they have no clue what is wrong with us. Reminds me of that song. "I get knocked down...But I get up again...ain't no one gonna keep me down..". Long live the screwy genes!!!

I have a youth cook out tonight. I am hoping to add to this post later with great detials of the even. I will also have pictures. So all youth we have a grill out that has been scheduled since forever ago. Be at the church at 6:20 we leave at 6:30 Sharp. If no body shows up it's hamburgers at the Hughes house!!!

Till next time...

friday-->And he's Safe!!!

Well last night I picked up Jonathan (one of our youth). We darted home for a quick but divine meal at the Hughes household. Then it was off to the game.
This game I was just a DH (Designated Hitter). Jonathan was our center field guy. Well my first up to bat I swung a a bad pitch that I should not have and popped out. The second time they wanted a ground hit ...so ole Sozo delivered. The third time which was my last I got a simple base hit. This is where the fun began. Every run counted this inning. We were down a couple of points and the time was running short. The next batter was up and with that hit I made it to second. Set up for scoring. Next batter and pop a good little hit I made it to third. But it was thrown home. I had already committed half way. The pitcher had bobbled the ball. This was it...... Time for the sacrifice of the ole body. I run full force to home. I hit the ground and slide. The dust clears and I made it!! And he's Safe!! Now getting up I feel as though I left half of my butt on the plate.

Needless to say after close examination I have a huge part of my bottom area with no skin on it. But that my folks is what we call committing to the team. LOL!! Oh yeah down do these things when you are too old. I feel like someone has used a road grader on my body.

^Thursday^ Feeling Bad and a crazy truck driver

Well last night I began to feel under the weather. I am not going to explain to you all my woes but lets just say it carried over to the morning. I am so grateful I have a loving wife that takes care of me. Anyway long story short I am back a the office ready to defeat this day. I may have health problems forever. But I this is not my place to live anyway. I will make the most of every day. I will live for Christ on earth and live with him in eternity.

Enough with the poor pitiful me.....

Have you ever been a a stop light minding your own business and a truck driver decides that he wants to turn down the road you are on. Needless to say you have to back up. If you can't then whole lane you are in will have to before this monster of a beast truck will stop blocking traffic. I think this is wrong. They think have the whole road??? I mean if I did that in a car people would leave me out in the middle high and dry until it was my turn to move.

Such an event happened to me yesterday while I was driving to church. I think to myself at first, What is this guy doing?? Then I realize this nut is headed toward my car. He stops and looks at me like "Why don't you move?". I then look behind me and back up. The cars behind me did also. After he inch worms across the road the light was turning yellow on my end. Yes that is right it took the time from his green light through my green light to move that big honkin' thing. I must admit my road rage bubbled up a little and I smoked my tires in frustration. I am sure you all that drive have had your run in's with truck drivers. Next time I ain't moving....Either he hits me or backs up. LOL

^Wednesday^ Smoky Bear you would be proud.(Updated)

I was leaving my office yesterday and looked out at our crosses. The church constructed 3 crosses outside for their Alive Alive presentation. They have been there for years. The presentation hasn't been done in a few years.

Anyway back to the subject at hand. We also do our burning of wood and boxes not to far from the crosses. While the pastor was away I thought I would go out and burn the very large boxes that have been sitting in wait. After the flood the ground was wet. So I figured let light this stuff up.

I take me a cup of Dr Pepper and go out with the boxes, crates and lighter. I ignite the boxes. Then in a matter of minutes the flames are as tall as the crosses and the heat is so intense I can't get closer than 20 feet from the burning pile. I think to myself that is awful hot and the grass out here is getting dried up but the heat. So I run to get the ole trusty shovel.

The wind begins to blow adding oxygen to the fire. Ekkkkk!!! I then have to put the Dr. Pepper down. I grab the shovel and begin to work the perimeter. I keep my distance because of the heat. Grass is on fire everywhere. Bobby Hale our janitors husband is just inside. He is a fire guy at the USEC plant. But to go ask him for help would take time away from my fire fightin' skills (Must have learned them from TLC or something). I know you could begin to tell the fear in my eyes as the fire was breeching my ideal parameters. I then begin to dig, throw dirt and pound flames like a experienced fireman. Every minute counted. Only by the grace of God could I keep the fire from burning out of control. After the smoke cleared I emerged from the ashes as a triumphant hero. I conquered the fire!! The boxes were disposed of. I thought to myself "Whew!!" and went inside to cool off.

Smokey the Bear says "Only you can prevent forest fires".

I did and don't want that kinda scare again. I will post a pic of the burnt area later.

^Tuesday^ Camp W.O.W.

Well I really don't have that much to right about today. I think that it is because the victims of Katrina are still in my mind. I hope and pray that help comes to all those in need. For you who can't help in the Gulf Area you have a chance to minister here. There are currently 116 people that are in Murray from the hurricane. Get out there and help them. Sign up to help anyway you can. They are all being housed at the Camp WOW in Murray.

Relief boxes are being made at the Murray Walmart. So instead of passing by the people handing out papers. Grab one and purchase some stuff. Think of it this way:

A dinner for 2 = $20.00-$30.00 average. Stay home eat a sandwich and buy a relief packet.

Ok...Ok...Ok...Jamie stop with the Visa Card commercial style guilt trip. You all just get out there and help. Here is an article from the Murray Ledger about the victims housed in Murray.

There are many other links to browse:

SBC Helping

Red Cross Murray

Get out there people and help!!

^Monday^ M&M's are meant for bribery.

Well I am sitting home and enjoying my Labor Day. It seems as though Buffy might have some laboring planned. This might be clean out the closets day or clean out the hampers day. This does not seem like a labor free holiday. LOL!!

Well my one of my daughters (Abbi) decided to help mommy pick up some blocks. So Buffy decided to reward Abbi with an M&M. This caused a big stir in the Hughes house. Hannah then began to screaming and kicking because she wanted an M&M. Buffy explained to her that if she would pick up a few books that she could have an M&M. She (with her mothers hard headedness) thinks that is a raw deal. So she is moved into her bedroom so that the wailing can be muffled in the house. Micah notices that he need to pick up some stuff for an M&M. So he does.

Long story short Hannah finally picks up some books for an M&M. I must explain that this is just 1 M&M .....ONE!! I never knew that bribery could have so much power when an M&M is used. World leaders take notice. Hold your meetings with countries with M&M's so that negotiating skills will go well.

^Sunday^ La Tour Eiffel

Well I must let you know of the latest in building endeavors. Yesterday I saw my father on top of his roof. There he was loosening the straps to the pole that he had just moved from the chimney of their house. Well I look out and think (since I operate my TV on bunny ears) "I could use that antenna". I then yell over "What ya doing up there Dad?". He then proceeds to tell me that he is throwing away his antenna.

I think What?? I could use that. So I ask if I can have this. I need this a lot more than the ginormus entertainment center they were asking me if I wanted. He then yells "Yeah...But I threw it off the roof". I go over to inspect the damage. The antenna is intact.

I must find a way to hoist this bad boy on my roof. Then then Hughes clan assembles for some good ole fashioned postulatin'. The decision is made that if we take the pole and attach it to another pole (AKA old pole sittin around) that will give us the much needed height. Now for the stability we need to place it on a base (AKA old windmill bottom). With the pole running down the center we also need to make sure it stays centered (AKA piece of metal bend in the center around the outside). We take all these pieces and drill, bolt and cut to make it work.

Here are the tools used for the task:
Metal Snips
Sawzall
Wrenches
wires and stuff ...(AKA etc)

This feat was one that the junkyard war guys in Lynn Grove would be proud of. Anyway after drilling a hole in the floor of the house and me crawling around in mud fightin' of spiders and those wired looking crickets. We run the cable and attach the antenna. BAM!! We have ourselves 5 channels now. Whew....

That reminds me of a saying:
Another mans trash thrown off the roof is another mans treasure hoisted up on a pole.

Long live my Effiel Tower (French call it La Tour Eiffel).

Man I wish I knew how to use a cutting torch......

^Saturday^ Nothing new ...

Well it is Saturday. Nothing new in the Hughes house today. We got up at the crack of dawn to enter our Satuday AM ritual of watching cartoons and laying around. I did make a trip once again to the Germ infested dump again. Gross I actually saw an old friend from the high school days there. He rolls the window down and says "It is kinda stinky". I think to myself no joke! I think I almost threw up alittle with the stank in that place. Ewwwww!

Well this is a 3 day weekend for many. Brother Dennis and Carm are back from thier trip to Alaska. So the associate pastor has resumed normal duties again. I hope you all have a great weekend and be safe.

Pray for those on the coast. There is alot to do. I have hopes of being able to help in some fashion. I pray God will open the door for me to serve here.

^Friday^ Gear up.

Well I have been watching the hurricane devastation. Almost instantly, I think what can we do? Come on people we are sitting in our a/c homes, with food, running water and shelter. There are people everywhere without their basic needs being met. It is time to stop the lazy-boy style coaching and start getting to work.

Worst thing about all of this is that it will take time. America is so stuck on it's short memory that it tends to forget after 6 months. The news will fade the helpers will start to decrease. It is the story of the USA. Then we will grip on how the president handled it. Democrats and Republicans will argue over the funding and gas prices. And yet nobody will bring a single idea to the table that makes any sense.

Look at the Gulf War. Why are we there? Your instant jello-pudding brain says "OIL!". That is what the media and other political members would have you to believe. Sept 11 anniversary is coming up. We all remember that day. A feeling of helplessness and despair (Similar to what we feel about Katrina's devastation). I remember the political partys putting down their differences and singing "God Bless America" on the steps of the capital building. But 6months later they picked them all back up. I tell you what you go on and argue politics all you want.

I will remember those lost in 911 and the real reason we defend our freedom. I will support our troops and our commander and chief. I will remember those lost in the wake of Katrina. I will remember the people sitting on roofs and waiting. I will remember those workers that braved gun fire to bring supplies to those in need.

It is time we get real and stop being so self-centered. It is not about money. It is not about gas prices. It is not about denomenational lines. It is not about political party lines. GET REAL AMERICA!!

If you just loved Christ as much as you loved your pocked book you would see. It is about him and doing what he would want. Christ would be helping people! Christ would be loving people. Christ would not see me as a Southern Baptist preacher who is a Republican. He just sees us as HIS. That is it. The tags mean nothing. Now go out there and act like God's children.

"Thursday" Pitstop trashman.

If you know anything about Nascar you know that a race can be won or lost in the pits. A car comes in an get 4 new tires, a tank of fuel, chasis adjustments, window cleaned and water for the driver. All this happens in 14 secs or less. That is fast!!
Well this holds no comparision to my parents trashman. This guy must have a huge route. But you can hear the roar of the trash truck coming down the road. I will now attempt to annouce the stop like a Nascar announcer.
Well it has been a so...so day for the CWI trash truck. He really needs every pit to count if he plans to end the day on a good note. Here he comes down pit lane at 60 mph. Now 15 feet from his stop he hits the brakes and without lockin' it up he comes to a stop. But before the truck has come to a stop he is already out of the truck. He runs over and with one hand grabs the trash can. This looks like a one can stop for the CWI team. With the other hand he grabs the lever that smashes the trash. Tossing the trash in a the exact time he hits the lever. Time is everything when you are the fastest trash pickup man in the western part of the state. Then with out care he flings the empty trash can and it's lid in the nearby ditch while he is running to the truck. He then slams it in drive and he is off (lid from trash can still spinning) . This was a 13 second stop. What an amazing display of speed and skill folks.
And that in a nutshell is our CWI trash man. It is almost scary how fast this actually happens. I hope to someday have actual pictures of this event unfolding. My brother was at the house yesterday to witness this even. He was like me. That was AWESOME!!!!!
I will get pitures and post them of this crazy event. Until next time...stay classy Murray.