COMMON INTERESTS

Common interests bond individuals. We tend to connect with people who like the things that we like. Those common interest with their passions and enthusiasm lock us together. That is why clubs, groups, and many other types of relationships are formed.

This carries over into marriage. Where there are no common interests between a couple, there is less enjoy in life. However, similar interests glue couples together.

Wanda and I have so many common interests. She likes to cook. I like to eat. Ha!

Well we both like to eat. I don't cook very well, but I do pancakes and omelettes on the weekends and a little grilling too.

But our interests go far beyond mere eating. We enjoy sports, motorcycling, family, church, devotions, movies, music, exercising, camping, traveling, eating in nice restaurants, reading, outdoor activities, gardening, grandkids, and the list go on.

We do have to give and take. It requires juggling schedules and giving way to what the other wants to do. Life is full and shared joys make life even fuller.

So what are we doing together this weekend? We have a couple of short day rides and activities to take in riding on "Big Red". We plan on the Florida Folk Festival and the Platka Crab Festival. Here we go again!

VINTAGE

Old things can be valuable.

I once saw a sign on a building that read, "We buy junk and sell antiques."

Too funny.

One man's junk is another man's prize.

Last Saturday I rode "Big Red" down to the World Gold Village in St. Augustine for a vintage motorcycle show. It was hot as blazes, but riding "Big Red" made it worth the effort. Actually it wasn't too hot as long as "Big Red" was rolling. It is stopping at red lights that it really gets hot.

They had all kinds of motorcycles as old as a 100+. There were proud owners, and interested fans. I enjoyed hearing a few stories about some of the bikes.

They also had a few vintage bicycles. Some would be tough to ride. I would have to have a few lessons, but they were interesting too.

I ride in style on "Big Red". It is a smooth machine. Quiet, doesn't shake you to death, comfortable. What a ride!

STOPPING SHORT

Saturday evening I attended a Suns baseball game here in Jacksonville. The Suns won, but it took a come from behind effort. I enjoyed the game and free tickets.

In the first inning the second Sun's batter hit a long, deep centerfield ball. It went over the center-fielder's head as the runner turned towards second base. On he ran towards third and it looked like he would have an inside the field home run.

But he hesitated even though the third base coach was waving him on to home plate. He looked toward the outfield and misjudged. Then he stopped. The outfielder's throw toward the infield was terrible. It was way off. The runner could have scored easily, but he stopped.

The next batter walked and eventually the bases were loaded with one out. But then came a double play and the runner, who could have had a home run, was left on third base.

His hesitation cost him. It cost the team. It could have been so much more. Everyone in the stands were let down. Sad.

There is a lesson here. Go for it. Go for life. Don't look back. Make the best of the moment. Don't quit short.

We won, but that was a lesson in life disappointment. Make it happen. Go for it.

A WATCHFUL EYE

This past Tuesday morning Wanda and I were awakened by what sounded like an owl screaming in distress. We have lots of birds that feed in our back yard and have owls that live in woods behind our house. Through the years I’ve heard and seen the owls, but I have never heard one sound like this one.

I got up and went to the back porch and there the owl was on the back deck in a terrible way. It was screeching and screaming. Looking down on it was another owl. Its face looked to me of concern. It was watching, but there was little else it could do.

Wanda made a quick call to a bird society, and they said the owl was in distress due to some form of poisoning, probably from eating a poisoned rat or bug. They said that owls do not scream and screech like that unless they are poisoned.

As I watched, a raccoon was approaching the owl with intent of a meal. Then a cat appeared with similar intentions. I clapped my hands to scare them off, and the owl flew off to a tree only to fall to the ground. Then it flew off not to be seen. Wanda did hear it through the day, but she never saw it again.

I still see the watchful eye of the owl looking down on the hurting owl. I thought that even more we should have watchful eyes to help one another and fend off predators from Satan. God watches over us and that gives comfort, but we should watch over each other too.

A WALK IN THE MOONLIGHT

Full moons move more than the oceans. They move hearts too.

Monday evening Wanda and I rode "Big Red" out to Jacksonville Beach. We made a quick stop at Five Guys Burgers.

Yum!

Then we walked a couple of blocks to the beach. As we approached the water I noticed a huge full moon rising up through low clouds. It was dusk but the moon was gleaming across the ocean.

Perfect! Beautiful! Amazing!

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Ps 19:1)

Two hands and two hearts walking in step in the glory of beauty. It was a moment of love. It was a moment that bonds. It was a moment to share.

We enjoyed the beach and the moon's glory. Sometimes life gets too busy. We all need a moment of love. It is a shared moment.

DING! DING! DING!

Husbands generally don't have a clue about the never ending work of a house wife. I thought for many years that a kitchen was a hallway to a dining room, but I learned that hard way that just isn't true. The cooking, cleaning, washing, preparing and caring never ends.

This past Saturday Wanda was extremely busy with multiple tasks. She was leading a ladies event at our church, had out of town company, and the list goes on. She is a great homemaker and works diligently to help in so many areas.

After she left Saturday for the ladies event, I thought I would go on a motorcycle ride. A quick look on the radar revealed a big thunderhead coming in quickly so I scratched that idea. I decided to study, relax, and just hang around the house.

Then I noticed clothes that needed washing. Well.... why not help her. So I washed several loads of clothes and folded them and placed them in their proper place. Beds needed making up from where I guests had slept. So I took the clean sheets I had just washed and made the beds.

It really didn't take that long, but it helped Wanda.

She helps me and it just seemed right to offer some extra help for her.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I put a smile on my ladies' face.

LOST POST

Blooger has stolen my last post for today and lost it.

Gone!

They have had issues for the last several days and would not allow new posts.

I don't have time to re-write it, but I will post on Monday.

I enjoy writing and sharing thoughts from my life. Many have commented that they follow my blog and enjoy. I hope it is a blessing.

Have a great weekend. I will see you on Monday.

LITTLE THINGS

God uses "little things".

God can do a lot with a little. A little is a lot with God.

We read in Zechariah 4:10, " Who despises the day of small things...."

Often we minimize the value and importance of small beginnings, little things, and hidden helps. Yet, God can take little hands with big hearts and do impossible tasks.

We think mega, large, super size. God sees the two mites, a basket lunch, a cruise of oil, empty wine bottles. He only asks for what we have and then "bam". Incredible blessings flow.

Don't be weary in well doing. Don't be weary in doing little jobs. Don't minimize God's ability.

It is not be might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty.

A THOUGHT ABOUT PRAYER

Recently my thoughts have centered on prayer and the priority of prayer. I have felt an increasing need to pray more about everything. I know prayer is communion, fellowship, and life relationship with God. It is far more than a petition initiative. Yet, I feel drawn more and more to pray about all things.

God cares about every aspect of our lives. Jesus taught to our Father cares about the lilies of the fields and sparrows and that surely He cares about us. I believe that means He cares about every detail and aspect of our lives.

Is there anything too small or insignificant for God?

He knows the number of the hairs of our head and cares about that so I suspect that means He truly does care about the minutia.

I have prayed for God to help me find small items that I have lost. He helped me find them. I have prayed for wisdom on little things and He has guided me. I have asked for help in big things, He answered.

He does care.

I need to pray more about more things.

CAMPING AND A WEDDING

This past weekend was a blur. We took Julie and the boys camping on Thursday evening through Saturday morning, and then Wanda and I left the campsite for me to perform and wedding. How is that for a combination? And of course there was church on Sunday. And then we made a mad rush to Leesburg and back on Sunday afternoon.

When we arrived at Hanna Park on late Thursday afternoon where we were camping, rain was heading our way. We couldn't decide what to do, and then finally just decided to go for it and camp. We got the tents set up just before a light shower. Then ate under a pavilion on Atlantic Beach. Then rain stopped as we returned to the campsite so we settled in our tents. Then more rain came and some distant lightning. Oooooo!

But we made it through the night, and Friday was gorgeous. We had perfect weather. We sipped coffee, cooked pancakes and bacon, rode bikes, shared in prayer and devotions, and enjoyed the glory of God's great creation. It was wonderful.

Saturday morning Wanda and I had to hurriedly breakdown the campsite, shower and dress, and head to a wedding that I performed on the beach just south of Ponte Vedre, Fl. It was beautiful. Camping and wedding don't necessarily go together, but the was a hoot.

God is good. Life is busy!