Listen as well as read

In addition to reading my random thoughts here, you can also listen to some of my random thoughts via my new podcast. Just click the link under JW's links on the right side of this page to try it out. I am currently doing a weekly episode from my teaching series entitled "How Life Works - Unlocking the Treasure of Proverbs." I am attempting an expository approach as opposed to a thematic approach, even though I have been told it can't be done, but I like a challenge. The ones being posted now were presented at Bible Center late 2005 and early 2006. New messages in this series will begin in November. I hope these episodes are a blessing. You can subscribe to my podcast via iTunes if you want new episodes brought to you as they are published. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Waggoner Men

The Saturday after labor day is Mound Festival, an open air arts and crafts festival centered around the most famous landmark here in South Charleston, which is an Indian Mound. Historians say it was build by the Adena Indians in the distant past. After a stop at the hotdog stand I followed my Mom and Julie through the maze of booths at the bottom of the mound while the other Waggoner Men, My Dad and sons, Brandon and Brian climbed to the top of said mound. Having my digital camera at the ready I captured the image above. (in the old days “taking a picture” was called making an exposure – now in the digital age it is “capturing an image”). Any way as I looked at this picture --I mean image-- I was struck that this was the generation before me and after me. I guess now that I am firmly in the clutches of middle age I think more of this kind of thing. I am reminded that so much of what I am has been shaped by my parents and so much of my children has been shaped by me. The former brings gratefulness for all that my folks have done for me. The latter thought is a rather sobering one. I am trusting that the Lord will make up for my deficiencies, as they are many. My prayer for my sons and my daughter is that they will walk with God. I have not always done so, but I have learned in the first half of life that waking with God is not only right it is also practical. In my line of work you encounter many who have been left as damaged goods due to the destructive path of disobeying our Heavenly Father. So to my kids and anyone’s kids –walk with the Lord!

“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9)

If you can't get enough...

In case you want to read some more of my musings over the years, there are a number of articles by me on the archive page, at the Bible Center Website, there you will find 34 articles from 1998-2006. Some are repeated here and on my previous journal, but if you can't get enough I wanted you to know that there is more! Blessings...

PS. The picture really has nothing to do with this blog posting but I thought it was cool, it was taken April 1, 2006 using my way-cool tabletop telescope and my Dimage Digital Camera, and in case you don't know - this is a picture of the moon, our earth's only natural satellite... If you would like a full-sized copy or like to know how you can get some wonderful computer desktops created by yours truly, drop an e-mail to desktops@waggonermedia.com

How to turn $31,000.00 into smoke!

Last Sunday night the city fathers of Charleston, West Virginia tuned a pile of money into a cloud of smoke over the waters of the Kanawha River. There is one important intermediate step, and that would be three flatbed tractor-trailer loads of fireworks. Julie, Brian, I and several dozen friends gathered at our regular fireworks-watching spot and waited for the gala fireworks at the conclusion of the Charleston Regatta. We managed to avoid all the other regatta attractions including Charlie Daniels and Randy Travis, but we went to see fireworks. We did enjoy the sights and sounds (If you want to watch a brief video of the grand finale use this link [Real Media] ) but as the clouds of gunpowder laced clouds floated across the capital city I began thinking about this…what do you have left after the last flash and last bang? Some memories, some good times with family and friends and few low-quality pictures, but is that really worth the money.

Before I get too judgmental – I must confess I have invested my time, talent and treasure in many endeavors that may have had some momentary attraction but no lasting return.
I don’t know much but I have learned this over the years of my journey. Only what is done for God’s glory has any lasting meaning or significance. My prayer, my goal is for my life to have less flash, less bang and more of His glory.

… whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Corinthians 10:31

Sparrows

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

I had a few minutes recently to try out some of features of my digital camera. Just outside of our dining room is a thistle seed feeder, suet feeder and a humming bird feeder. I enjoy watching the comings and goings at the bird feeders while I am at mine. This seemed a likely spot to do some photography. One picture (above) was just a quick shot without much thought. As was reviewing my pictures later my mind wandered to the verses above. Even though Brian informs me that this is female purple finch and not a sparrow it still reminded me of the verse above. For those of us who tend toward worry or feelings of being devalued, then this is a comforting reality. God knows about and cares for this little feathery one, and also us who not only carry the creative design of God (how much engineering would it take to design and build something that can flies that only weighs 6 ounces?) but also carry the image of God, and hence the greater value placed on us. These verses also indicate that the omniscience of God (the numbering of the hairs on our heads) is proof positive of His ability to carry out His favorable care for us. He knows and He cares. We should know this as well. To the lovely lady perched in my picture – thanks for the reminder.