From Andy Griffith to Anderson Cooper

Today one of my favorite actors died. Andy Griffith, he was 86.  Its always sad when someone you enjoyed on TV and the movies dies.  I still watch the Andy Griffith show on Netflix as well as Matlock. His homespun humor, and insight made his shows great entertainment for me at least. he and Don Knotts made a great team.  He lived not far from the Hampton Roads area, in Dare County NC. At least we have the body of his work left behind still to enjoy.

Anderson Cooper comes out. Seriously did anyone not know he is gay? Does it matter in the public eye, to the work he does that he is gay, that he felt he had to come out officially? According to what I read, he felt not going public about his sexuality gave the impression he was ashamed.  The fact is he is gay, he is entitled to his privacy and it really is no one's business.  Though I have to say I appreciate his willingness to talk about his sexuality openly. I feel it helps the equality movement and keeps the issue in the limelight.

 A quote from his letter in the Daily Beast.
 "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself and proud," the CNN journalist told The Daily Beast columnist and gay rights activist Andrew Sullivan."

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/anderson_cooper_comes_out_the_fact_im/327324#ixzz1zaIjSmqC

Still his private life should not be open season for the public.  We really don't need to know everything about a celebrity, politician, or royal.  As long as it has no direct bearing on their work. Or endangers anyone.   The effects of coming out to the wrong person can be devastating in one's life.  Some people just don't need to know.  There are those who you really want to tell, but you have to weigh the risks with the benefits. 

Happy Birthday To My Sister!!!

Yesterday...a day late here.  My sister celebrated her 60th Birthday! That is a milestone yet still young. I both texted and called to wish her a happy day. Turning 60 today is not like 20, 30, or even 40 years ago. Its viewed differently. Today 60 is the new 50 or some refer to it as the new 40. 

We had an uncle who lived to almost 100, and our mother always said, Uncle Joseph's best years were AFTER 60.  I think it was because he enjoyed life, work and family. As they say he came into his "own" at 60.

Of course I have to say that it has much to do with one's view of  him or her self.  How they act and react in and to life. I know people who act old and are old at 30. 

To me there is still much to see, experience and accomplish. 60 is young. 

Happy Birthday!  Thifty and Nifty 60

The Wildside then Gilbert and Gender Cakes Parties

Good Wednesday! It's going to get much hotter here over the next few days.  If you are in the Hot zone please take care of yourself.  Drink plenty of water, and stay in cool places as much as possible. Please be in prayer for all those suffering loss due to these awful fires, and thec firefighters trying to stop the flames.  I pray for good rain and no winds to fight thesae flames.

To end on a note of humor, I found these video's one on agoogle search by accident, the other on a blog I follow.

The first is a british post with animal humor, its great!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wildside


It's called Gilbert Gets It, by Gilbert Gottfried.
http://youtu.be/eyiwaF9i9z0

TerrificTuesday Great and Wonderful!

Today is a much better day for a number of reasons. I slept well last night. Its a gorgeous day, will be in the 70's today, much better than 90 of yesterday!  I have my to do list already in progress. I'm blogging again today.  Its a terrific Tuesday! 

Plant update, if you have read this blog for any length, you know plants are a hobby for me. I have moved a couple of my plants to the patio for summer sunshine and fresh are.  its a change of 'scenery" for them and me. I like to sit on my patio at times. Well its time to do some plant care including re potting, and figure out what to do with my Orchid.  I must do some Internet research on my quest to have a re blooming orchid.  Stay tuned for updates on that. 

Its nice to have a day or two not to have anywhere I HAVE to be. Or wait for a call to go somewhere.

So I must keep moving to accomplish what I need to today. Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Monday Medley

Today is a tired day, as I just finished what unintentionally became four days of 12 or more hour shifts. Only one was meant as a twelve, the others became twelve (or longer)with calls and crisis added to the day.  Today I seek rest, relaxation, prayer, good music,  at least one good comedy. Eat something good, and generally recharge. I think I am wrung out.  I love the ministry I work, but it can be draining at times.

I will share one thing, something that evokes a range of emotions and thoughts in me. That is seeing, hearing, experiencing our local emergency medical helicopter.  It's a strange set of emotions to experience all at the same time.  Its exciting, awe inspiring, terror invoking, and action provoking.  A great deal of the time the result is successfully satisfying.  The Trauma team does great work. I am proud to work with these professionals when I have opportunity.


Today there are two songs I've heard that I like, and seem to have meaning for me today. One by Gym Class Heroes "Fighter" the other by One Republic "Good life" both feature Ryan Tedder (One Republic)  Again I do not endorse any advertisement that may appear before the video.

First  http://youtu.be/bxV-OOIamyk


Second  http://youtu.be/bxV-OOIamyk

Mana From Heaven

So its the time between paychecks.  You know that time when you have paid certain bills, but are waiting until the next paycheck to pay others, and the cash available is for the other bills.  Well this is one of those times...one has to be careful what one does with cash available its earmarked for something important.  I'm thinking there is enough food in the house to get me through, or at least I will make it last and just buy the essentials.  I'm going to walk every where I can and save the gas in the car for getting to and from work. I think, hope and pray I can squeak by.

Then something small but wonderful happens. Where I park my car is near some trees on a grassy area. The other morning coming home from a late call, its windy, and threatening rain. As I pull into the parking spot, I notice something flapping in the grass.  As I get out of my car and walk by it becomes distinguishable.  It's money!  I grab it before the wind can take it away.  I look at it and discover to my surprise, I have "found" a $20 bill!  I look around to see if there is anyone nearby that might be chasing it.  The area is deserted.  I stick that "mana" my pocket and thank God for His provision in my life.  Its a small thing, but significant to me. Now I have $20 to buy essentials if I need to and not touch gas, medication or rent money.  It meets a need not a want, that is why I call it "Mana from Heaven".   He is Jehovah Jireh, The Lord our provider.

The Monday Medley

Happy Monday!  Is that a contradiction?  Well this morning we have a two song musical Monday.  Shall we say two extremes? a song I like by Taio Cruz. Then I thought it is time for another classic by Wagnor Ride of the Valkyries. Used in the movie Apocalypse Now. Let it not be said there is no Culture on this blog!  Disclaimer, I am not responsible for nor do I endorse the content of any commercial which may appear before the music.

Hope you enjoy!

http://youtu.be/VUjdiDeJ0xg


http://youtu.be/CGBDWER-wUI

A Musical Monday Two For

I heard this song on the radio and it stuck in my mind, so I thought I would share it here.  Its by boy band One Direction.  Today is a two for Monday, the second song is one I heard and liked, is a little mellow for this artist.  Yes I'm actually posting a song by LiL Wayne! Hope you enjoy.  Happy Monday!

http://youtu.be/QJO3ROT-A4E




http://youtu.be/xe91Doq757A

Donna Summer Tribute: Musical Monday

Hope you enjoy this song as much as I do.  It has a great message.


http://youtu.be/tNMgPFp66lk

Sunday's are Special

At home growing up, Sunday was always a special day.  My mother would fix a spectacular meal, we would eat off the good china.  I recall as a small child going to the neighborhood church with my sister and brother. As I got older, I started attending a church on my own.  I was thinking about this today, as I walked to a nearby church for the service.  Its a good size church, they had Communion (which they do on the first and third Sunday)  The people were friendly, the pastor came all the way to the last pew where I was sitting to greet me. They showed the songs, Scripture and responsive readings on both sides of the front wall, which I thought was well done, and helpful.  I may visit this church again.

Today, I want to share what I think will become a regular Sunday post.  A short Scripture and thought, devotion, or whatever you want to call it. Its my opportunity to share from the Scripture, and perhaps about my path, belief, convictions. (I'm a preacher after all) I invite you to share your thoughts in response and perhaps have a conversation.  However, I won't respond to or post comments that I deem disrespectful, hateful, hurtful, or otherwise offensive.  Hey, its my blog.

Ascension;  today is Ascension Sunday on the church calendar. In Acts 1:4-11. I invite you to look it up and read it.  Jesus gathered his followers together and told them of the coming of the Holy Spirit.  He would leave them, but would send the "helper" The Holy Spirit to empower, guide, teach them the way they should walk on this earth.  Two things I wish to point out and I hope encourage you with.  First, In Matt 28:20 Jesus says he is with us always, " I am with you always, even until the end of the age"  Note the term I AM, remember what  the Father said to Moses?  I AM?  In Acts 1, Jesus says will send the Holy Spirit.  We as Believers today have the presence of God with us in the person of the Holy Spirit.  That means we each have within us a guide who if we listen to him, will lead us the way we ought to go.He will give strength, comfort, and peace in midst of life's storms.  That also means through the Holy Spirit God is present with us always.  Bidden or not God is there.  I find comfort in that.  I hope you do too.

May He bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you. May He give you His peace! 

IPad or Apple Stock?

A question was asked sometime ago.  If you had a choice of a gift of and Ipad or one share of Apple stock, which would you choose? I would choose the share of Apple.  Which would you choose?

Facebook Friday and its IPO are now done.  For many it was a disappointment since the stock price did not "pop" as expected.  In fact the price actually dropped until it was shored up by the underwriters.  I think it had a lot to do with investor uncertainty of how FB will be able to monetize and crate the kind of profit that is expected.Plus many were looking to make a quick profit by selling on the "pop", which did not occur.  I believe that over time it will prove to be a good buy.

As for me, I was able to purchase a few shares which I plan to hold, with a wait and see approach.  If overtime this stock proves to be like Google or Apple... great for me!

Facebook Friday!

Today is the day investors have waited for with anticipation. The pundits at times seem to be talking out of both sides of their mouths.  Oh buy FB on its open, No wait till the aftermarket, No you don't want to buy in the aftermarket, buy in 2 weeks. Others  say they would not touch it at all. Just depends on who you listen to.

For me as a tiny investor, IF I can buy just a few shares of this stock and hold it, I hope it will increase much like Apple, or Google.  For me the key is a longer term view, for instance if my parents had bought 10 shares of Johnson & Johnson in 1944 when it opened, and held them those shares would have made millions over time. 

What I hope to do, is place an order this morning for a few shares at a mid price point, and be able at complete the sale when the stock goes public.  Then hold that position and see what happens. Along with my plan, IF the stock price warrants it, buy more shares in the future. At the same time be flexible enough that IF the stock soars in the short term, be open to taking profit.  These are big IFs, as with any plan.  Depends on how things go in the future.  Remember, economies macro and micro change daily.  Personal finances are impacted by these changes everyday. 

Contingency plan, another IF, assuming I can't buy at my price today.  Then I will earmark an amount I want to invest in FB, and place FB on my watch list and wait.  Buy when I can, at a reasonable price.  That is IF that is even possible.
Oh and if any of my stocks increase exponentially, my plan calls for me to sell all or a portion, reinvest the profit in a fixed income type fund to grow that money at a smaller rate and protect that profit.  Then reinvest my original investment in something else. 

Happy Facebook Friday everyone!