tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70571663244004863582024-03-06T02:00:25.625-05:00PLEAPlea is an appeal to chose the higher good. Life is a continuous journey filled with choices that give the opportunity for blessing or hurt. Plea is written to encourage the better part.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.comBlogger701125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-10434970292797025952013-07-17T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-17T07:00:09.050-04:00TAKING A BREAKI will be taking a break from posting on this blog for two weeks. After posting over 710 blogs, I am re-focusing my writing attention. You will see me here again soon so don't go too far away. Thanks to all who have faithfully followed my thoughts. I hope that you have been encouraged to a higher, better life.<br />
<br />
There is more ahead, but I am taking a breather.<br />
<br />
See you soon.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-58602031777640786652013-07-15T11:28:00.000-04:002013-07-15T11:28:11.649-04:00TREVOR MARTINNo, I am not getting into the debate over racial justice, but I do want to comment on the recent Zimmerman trial. I didn't watch any of the trial. I don't know all the details. I have no dog in this hunt.<br />
<br />
It is so sad that a older teenage boy lost his life. My heart goes out to the Trevor Martin.<br />
<br />
Yet, obviously there is a serious divide in our country over racial justice. I am for fair treatment. I hate bigotry. I don't want to be treated in a bigoted way and neither do I desire for others to face racial bigotry.<br />
<br />
But a trial was held. A judgement was made. Might I add, that we should be thankful that we live in a country where we have a legal system for justice to work.<br />
<br />
Now that the verdict is in, it appears that some question the results. Again, I don't have a dog in this hunt, but we should let the system work.<br />
<br />
I will say that in our city too many blacks are being killed by other blacks. There is a serious problem going on here with too many black children not having mothers and fathers at home. This produces serious issues within the children without mothers and fathers. Then terrible results follow that often includes blacks killing blacks.<br />
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May God help us to do a better job at proclaiming His Word so that children of all races and color can grow up in good homes with loving mothers and fathers to teach and train them in the right way.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-3151519646327191522013-07-11T14:38:00.000-04:002013-07-15T11:15:20.201-04:00ONE BIG LAUGH!Laughter is like a medicine. It heals the soul. It releases strength. It renews the spirit.<br />
<br />
We have just enjoyed having Julie, Nic, and Alex in our home for a few days. It wasn't long enough. What fun those boys are.<br />
<br />
While sitting at the dinner table Wednesday night, Nic sucked a green bean into his mouth with a funny swish sound. It tuned his tickle box over, and he belly laughed so hard that he cried. It was too funny. I enjoyed his laugh too.<br />
<br />
Life is too serious for most of us. Kids laugh at most anything and I think are happier for it. We need more laughter, more light moments, more joy.<br />
<br />
It has been said that you can face anything in life if you can find something to laugh at as you go through it. That is true.<br />
<br />
So here's to Nic bean belly laugh.<br />
<br />
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-914824331177567952013-07-08T11:14:00.001-04:002013-07-08T11:14:04.682-04:00A MIRACLE WEEKMy last post was on the topic of miracles and expecting miracles.<br />
<br />
Last week I saw a miracle.<br />
<br />
I will not go into all the details but will just say that we saw a major break threw, a miracle, in our church finances. We had a deficit for a number of months that was very discouraging. The bad national economy had hurt the churches finances, but God is faithful.<br />
<br />
We were in need of about $30,000 dollars or so which was huge for our church. On Easter we had raised $20,000 to pay of a short term loan on a renovation, but the deficit problem continued.<br />
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Last week a lady called and shared that she had an offering to give. To make a long story short she gave me a check for the church for $37,000.<br />
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Major praise to the Lord!<br />
<br />
On this past Sunday, a couple met me at the church door and gave me a check for $56,000.<br />
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Another major praise to the Lord.<br />
<br />
Now the deficit has been met and we are ahead!<br />
<br />
God still works miracles. This one was long in coming, but it came in His timing!<br />
<br />
To God be the glory!Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-22407458335297832212013-07-03T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-03T07:00:01.657-04:00GET READY FOR A MIRACLEI believe God is still engaged in the affairs of men.<br />
<br />
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God's Word promises that. It is true. (Heb. 13:8)<br />
<br />
Why do I believe in miracles? Here are a few reasons.<br />
<br />
1. See the above.<br />
2. God answers prayer.<br />
3. God loves us.<br />
4. Some needs require a supernatural miracle.<br />
5. So God can show his power and glory.<br />
<br />
There are many more reasons I believe in miracles. I have seen supernatural works of God in my life and others. I have watched God's hand extend to my life. I know God cares and meets needs.<br />
<br />
Yes, there are times of waiting. There are times where answers come too slow in our estimation, but God is always on time.<br />
<br />
Here is a sure way to see a miracle.<br />
<br />
1. Pray.<br />
2. Be open to the Holy Spirit.<br />
3. Exercise faith.<br />
4. Wait and expect.<br />
5. Keep a spirit of praise.<br />
<br />
I know there are no quick easy formulas to miracles. God doesn't work that way, but don't short-changed yourself into inaction and miss your opportunity. God will work if we will believe and obey.<br />
<br />
Someone is going to see a miracle today.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-80252591778364723412013-07-01T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-01T07:00:05.175-04:00LOTS OF PASSWORDSI have dozens of passwords to all kind of accounts. Don't worry I am not going to share any of them now. Account after account requires a secret code to enter. Can't do any business without the right numbers or letters. The harder the better. At least that is what they say.<br />
<br />
And they like for you to change them all the time. That adds to the burden. You aren't suppose to write them down, but how can you remember them if you don't record them somewhere?<br />
<br />
Banks need passwords.<br />
<br />
Electric companies need passwords.<br />
<br />
Phone companies need passwords.<br />
<br />
Google wants one.<br />
<br />
AOL wants one.<br />
<br />
ITunes wants one.<br />
<br />
MobleMe wants one.<br />
<br />
The Assemblies of God wants one.<br />
<br />
My district wants one.<br />
<br />
And the list goes on.<br />
<br />
Passwords. Passwords. Passwords.<br />
<br />
Can't remember them all, but can't do anything or go anywhere without one.<br />
<br />
I can't even close my garage without a password.<br />
<br />
What to do?<br />
<br />
Here is good news!<br />
<br />
There is only one password that matters. Remember this one. Write it down on your heart. Memorize it. Say it over and over. You can write this one down.<br />
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It is simple. Here it is.<br />
<br />
Jesus.<br />
<br />
Just say Jesus. The door will open.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-61524535232185576682013-06-28T11:02:00.000-04:002013-06-28T11:02:00.826-04:00A GREAT READI love books. There is so much to learn and enjoy in reading. You can travel the world and never leave your easy chair or spend a dime. It is joyous entertainment as well as intellectual inspiration.<br />
<br />
It has been my habit for years to make a weekly trip to the library. Books are free at the library, and free is better than cheap.<br />
<br />
One book that I am really enjoying is the daily devotional book that Wanda and I are reading through this year. It is the One Year Devotional for Couples entitled <i>Love Talk</i> by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. It is so insightful.<br />
<br />
They speak where I live. They motivate and encourage. They convict and cleanse. They have blessed our marriage.<br />
<br />
Here are a few quotes that stand out:<br />
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What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. -- Aristotle<br />
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Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy, you must have somebody to divide it with.<br />
-- Mark Twain<br />
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Lord, grant that I might not so much seek....to be loved as to love. --St. Francis of Assisi<br />
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<br />Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-58114313593901853092013-06-26T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-26T07:00:09.043-04:00MORNING DEVOTIONSFrom the beginning of our marriage, Wanda and I have prayed daily with each other and shared in a devotional time of reading God's Word. It is our morning ritual with few exceptions. If we ever miss a day, which is rare, then the next day we pick up and start again. This adds power to our relationship and marriage and everything we do.<br />
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Whenever there is a need one of us have, then the other prays for that need. Whatever common or family needs we have, we pray together over them. We pray for our children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, friends, church family, Nation, and neighbors.<br />
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I cannot tell you how many times our devotional reading for the morning spoke exactly to what we were facing for the day. There have been specific issues that we were dealing with that our devotion spoke to and gave encouragement, guidance, wisdom, and correction. It is amazing.<br />
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How valuable is this time we spend together?<br />
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I would say it is the most valuable time we spend together on any day. What could be more important than waiting on God together? Or praying together? Or praying over the issues of the day?<br />
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None!<br />
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Of course I have other study and devotional times that are private and so does Wanda. That is when God speaks to me personally for me as well as to Wanda.<br />
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That renews us so we can face the day and do His will. It strengthens us so we can better serve and help others. It is a power source beyond any other source.<br />
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Why am I emphasizing this now?<br />
<br />
Maybe it will encourage someone to renew their prayer and devotional time with their spouse and family. Maybe it will be a difference maker in someone's future.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-6733464323851954692013-06-24T11:07:00.002-04:002013-06-24T11:07:43.531-04:00NO ILLUSIONS PLEASEI don't believe in magic, at least not magic that would be considered to be mystical or supernatural. Illusions or tricks can confuse the mind and make one believe things that they ordinarily know not to be true, but illusions are not magic and magic is not real.<br />
<br />
Or is it?<br />
<br />
There are two sources of power and one power is far, infinitely greater than the other.<br />
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The great power is the power of God. The weaker power is satanic power, but it is limited and it is filled with lies.<br />
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God's ways are are true, righteous, holy, and just. He is faithful and full of mercy, grace, peace and joy. He doesn't trick, fool, deceive, or lie. God's nature is always true. That is His goodness.<br />
<br />
Yet, how is it that people can be so easily deceived by satan's lies? Satan is a bait and switch guy. He never lives joy or peace. His lies always lead to death. He is the ultimate deceiver.<br />
<br />
This past Sunday we had an illusionist share in our morning service. He told told people up front that everything he did was an illusion or trick. He said that his slight of hand was by design to get you to believe something that you otherwise wouldn't and then he related it to how satan works. It was impressive and caught people's attention.<br />
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Here is the point!<br />
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God always turns on the light. He doesn't hide truth. There is no darkness nor deception in Him. He has no reason to use illusion. He is the life giver and the light brightener.<br />
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So I will run to His light and share His light. There is only goodness found in the Lord.<br />
<br />
<br />Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-70865899605966740182013-06-21T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-21T11:46:04.951-04:00UPBEAT AND ALIVE!<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I am a runner and when I run I love listening to music, but not just any music. I love good christian music that is upbeat, fast paced, and alive. I run several mornings a week at the beginning of my day. The moving music helps me wake up and getting going. It quickens my pace and stirs my soul. Most of the songs I listen to include lyrics that speak of God’s love, power, faithfulness, and goodness. Those lyrics encourage me from deep within, and they help my run go faster with higher energy.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God wants us to be upbeat and alive. He is a God of hope. He is a God of today working in unbelievable and incredible ways. His mercies are new every morning. God is always doing new and greater things in our lives, and if we will trust Him and follow Him we can enjoy heaven’s best.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have found that to begin my day upbeat and alive sets the pace for a fantastic day. There may be setbacks. There may be unexpected bends in the road, but He is there to see me through. To begin upbeat opens my soul for the good things of the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Music is a favorite pastime of mine. I love all kinds of music from blue grass to classical to jazz to country to Southern Gospel to contemporary to blues. Of course, my passion is music that is worshipful and exalts the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When I begin my day, I love music that is worshipful, upbeat, and alive. That is how I think we should live our lives. We are worshippers. We should be upbeat. We should be alive. Tomorrow morning, turn on some good music and come alive!</span></div>
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Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-91469701897472722952013-06-19T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-19T07:46:52.662-04:00EGOEgoism and selfishness go hand in hand. They are kin. They feed off each other. They are in stark contrast to humility and generosity. The fact is that all of us struggle with the two.<br />
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I heard a story of a man in church who once was honored for his humility. Sadly, the church had to take back his award as he became too proud and self-centered.<br />
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Ha! Not good.<br />
<br />
How does ego and selfishness manifest?<br />
<br />
Recently in our devotional time, this issue was addressed in the book Wanda and I are reading. The primary illustration centered around who we talk about. Are we willing to listen to others? Do we ask questions of interest of others? Are we concerned about their story? Their hurt? Their trial? Their triumph?<br />
<br />
Too often I find myself enjoying telling my story, my experiences, my issues and spending too much time on my stuff rather than listening, receiving, caring. God is patient to listen and care about every part of our lives. He never turns a deaf hear. We should emulate God's character and manner.<br />
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Oh God help me and save me from me. Help me to see and hear others. Free me of ego and self.<br />
<br />
Amen!Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-35763746387839039172013-06-17T10:17:00.000-04:002013-06-17T10:19:24.677-04:00HAPPY FATHER'S DAYMy daughters, Julie and Jennifer, called yesterday and wished me a Happy Father's Day. Their calls made my day. They are sweet, beautiful, young ladies, and I am very proud and thankful for them. They love their family and are a joy.<br />
<br />
Julie sent text cards:<br />
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<br />
These text cards say it all.<br />
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I also called my Dad and wished him a Happy Father's Day. Thank God for his good health and that he is still with us. He is 88 and I am praying that he'll make it to 100. That is my goal too.<br />
<br />
We had a long talk and I told him of a number of things that he did for me that I'll never forget and am extremely grateful to him for.<br />
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Some of them were:<br />
<br />
He took me fishing a lot.<br />
We made and flew model airplanes. I crashed the one he build.<br />
He also took me flying in a small airplane that he piloted.<br />
We made numerous trips as a family. One trip was to California and Oregon and back home to Alabama.<br />
He and mom had more children than just me. I am grateful for my siblings.<br />
Dad as always had a joke that we could laugh about.<br />
God's Word was always read in our home and followed.<br />
We never went hungry or had need.<br />
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The list goes on and on. Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-64683347072422987102013-06-14T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-14T07:00:10.258-04:00FIVE ESSENTIALS FOR EVERY MORNING<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Henry Ward Beecher said, “The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.” What we do first thing sets the pace for the day. Victories or defeats are often determined by what we do first thing each morning. Our attitudes, goals, thoughts, and actions are impacted by our first actions of each morning. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">David wrote, "Let me hear your lovingkindness in the morning for I trust in You. Make me to know the paths in which I should walk for to you I lift up my soul." (Psa 143:8)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here are five essentials for every morning:</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Connect with God: Meditate and pray. Have a brief devotional prayer time and read the Word.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Rejoice and Give Thanks: This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice. Be Thankful!</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Receive the Mercies of the Lord: The mercies of the Lord are new every morning.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Focus on Today. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow will take care of itself.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Do what is Right: Set your heart to follow the righteousness of the Lord. </span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">David and even our Lord gave special attention to the first moments of each day. They were early morning devotional people. If morning devotions were essential to Jesus and David, they should be even more vital to our spiritual sustenance. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Lord will defend, bless, and show favor to those who follow these patterns. Read Ps 5: 11,12. Tomorrow is a new day. Set your heart to follow after the Lord. It will make you day go 100% better. God has promised.</span></div>
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Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-2350176103311476972013-06-12T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-12T07:00:09.068-04:00STAYING ON TRACKGood habits and good routines make for a disciplined and blessed life. I have noticed that all of the workings of God are with order. Just look at creation and all of the incredible order there.<br />
<br />
That works for mankind too. Order makes life go smoother. I am more productive with things in place, life on track, routines on track. Somethings are daily. Somethings need attention regularly while other life demands are not so urgent. Yet, in everything, order blesses.<br />
<br />
We are all creatures of habit. We like certain foods and tend to gravitate toward them. We enjoy certain activities and lean toward constant involvement there. These all set up patterns of life.<br />
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I find some of my patterns need improving. My eating habits need attention. My thought patterns need refocusing. My ministry habits need refining. All of that pushes toward a better or lessor life.<br />
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My spirit is willing to change, but the problem is with the flesh. Flesh wants to stay the same. It wants gratifying. It wants to feel good. Changing the flesh can be painful, and I don't enjoy that. No one enjoys that.<br />
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Yet, when I stay on track in these good areas, I am blessed. And, when I am willing to change to new habits and set a new track pattern, I am blessed too.<br />
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The goal is to glorify the Lord. The goal is to be my best for Jesus. It is to finish my race well. He will help me to do it. I am counting on the Lord. He will be faithful.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-56096064647745250512013-06-10T12:08:00.002-04:002013-06-10T13:40:15.845-04:00DUCTCH OVEN COOKING: YUMMY!This past weekend I took a couple of classes on outdoor dutch oven cooking with coals. It was fascinating and the food was delicious! The class was offered as part of a training seminar for our boys program at our church. This program specializes in camping so there were numerous classes offered to make camping more enjoyable.<br />
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Wanda and I camp several times during the year when the weather is right, no rain and not too hot or too cold. The cooking has become primarily my chore. She does assist with some dishes and helps get the food items together. The outdoor cooking is some of the fun part of camping. A campfire makes camping, and good food cooked on a campfire or outdoors is what it is all about.<br />
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The presenter of the dutch oven class was a gourmet chef. He knew his stuff. I was amazed at all his little tricks and ways. Cooking requires good meat and food items and fire and pots and pans. It also requires some know-how. This guy, Wayne, knew how to make it happen.<br />
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He cooked cowboy stew, chicken cacciatore, pork chops, peach cobbler, pineapple upside down cake, monkey bread, and a few other dishes.<br />
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Yummy!<br />
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He was from Georgia and said he grew up in the country where they often cooked outdoors. He has also taken culinary classes. I was amazed at his skill cooking over coals. He knew how to make the ingredients come together, how to have the proper heat, how to make sure the heat was even, and what pots to use.<br />
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Now I have to go invest in some dutch oven dishes and give it a whirl. Amazing!<br />
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<br />Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-89341098919615064662013-06-07T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-07T07:00:12.037-04:00WORKING OUT AGAINI am still on my journey to get in better shape. I run several miles several times a week. I do a work-out video several times a week. I do calisthenics throughout the week, and I am watching my diet also. I've lost about 20 pounds, but losing that last 10 pounds has not been easy. It is still a work in progress.<br />
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Having a workout partner helps. Wanda and I work out walking and doing the videos. It is an encouragement to have an encourager who motivates when the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.<br />
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Here is my biggest problem:<br />
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Wanda is a great cook.<br />
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Monday evening she made a peach cobbler.<br />
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Today she made a pound cake.<br />
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Do you know how many calories are in that stuff?<br />
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Too many!<br />
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Here is what I see happening: either I eat less or run more. It is just that simple. I guess I am going to have to cut back and run a little more.<br />
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Maybe I'll get Wanda to run more and then she might not tempt me so much with all those deserts. Wow are they good.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-90846509905475229092013-06-05T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-05T10:40:18.965-04:00A CALM RESOLUTIONDysfunctional people live dysfunctionally. Abnormally is normal. Everything gets turned upside down and inside out. There is total inability to cope and work life out. Mole hills turn into mountains. Mountains become bigger.<br />
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How does one get dysfunctional? How about:<br />
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Physiological issues?<br />
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Chemical embalances?<br />
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Lack of discipline of feelings and desires?<br />
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Poor dieting?<br />
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Lack of sleep and proper rest?<br />
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Distortion of life and habits?<br />
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Dysfunctional upbringing?<br />
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Unleashed rage and anger?<br />
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Poor insight?<br />
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Stupidity?<br />
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I think we're all dysfunctional to some degree. All of us get skewed in our view, approach, and evaluations? All of us fall into the trap of "stinkin' thinkin' every so often. Sometimes more than just every so often.<br />
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What is the solution? How about making needed life corrections? How about trying a calmer approach? How about getting rational and reasonable in thinking?<br />
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Through the years I have counseled many people bordering on being dysfunctional. Once, I called a psychiatrist in my church and discussed a case with him. The psychiatrist asked me to describe the man to him.<br />
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I said, "The man is not sleeping good. He is not thinking good. He is not eating good. He is not relating to others good."<br />
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The psychiatrist responded that this sounded like 90% of people!<br />
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Ha!<br />
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True story.<br />
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Life is challenging enough without adding dysfunctional to the list. I think I'll work on trying to be rational more. Life goes better with calm resolutions. Yes!Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-60865035423179484382013-06-03T15:13:00.000-04:002013-06-03T15:13:08.291-04:00I RODE THE LOOPThere are motorcycle rides and then there are motorcycle rides. To be honest, living in East Jacksonville doesn't offer too many glorious rides. If you go farther East, you ride into the Atlantic Ocean. Going West means riding through Jacksonville traffic. So from my house, the rides are basically going either due North or due South.<br />
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This past Friday, I rode "The Loop" for the first time. It is a ride going down A1A South through Stl Augustine and on to Flagler Beach then East to Ormond Beach and then North up U.S. 1. It is a spectacular ride for Florida.<br />
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You see the Atlantic Ocean and old Florida. I throughly enjoyed doing this ride. The Atlantic view is beautiful and then you ride into what Florida looked like before all these Northerns got here. Ha!<br />
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It is about 185 miles round trip from my house and took most of the day. Friday wasn't too hot and their were some cover clouds to shade all along. I went with some guy friends and we enjoyed cruising down the rode.<br />
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I plan on taking Wanda on this ride before too long. Of all the rides we have done in Florida, this one was the best. She needs to see it.<br />
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<br />Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-75829697980619343612013-05-31T07:00:00.000-04:002013-05-31T07:00:10.435-04:00I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EYESI was riding Sate Rd. 11 heading back to Jacksonville after visiting my mom and dad. My mind was focused on driving but was also mentally wandering as I thought on a myriad of things on my agenda. Highway 11 is a pure scenic Florida road with pasture land, palms, small creeks, and palmettos.<br />
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Then I saw something far ahead on the road that looked like a long palm branch. I slowed but continued forward wondering if I should ride over it or dart around it. The closer I got the odder and bigger it looked.<br />
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Then I saw clearly what was it my path. I shouldn't have been shocked knowing where I was, but I was stunned for a moment.<br />
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It was a huge alligator that stretched across my side of the highway. This was no baby gator, but a full grown bull. Wow!<br />
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I swerved and looked into my rear view mirror as the gator rose and continued across the road. It was stunning and surprising. I couldn't believe my eyes. I have traveled thousands of miles on Florida roads from south to north and never scene a gator across the road like this one.<br />
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Actually, I was on the phone and gasped surprising the person I was talking too. I said, "You won't believe what I just passed on this road." They were shocked too and wanted to know where I was driving.<br />
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This is gator country. They are not all in Gainesville. Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-13290767041752570642013-05-29T07:00:00.000-04:002013-05-29T07:00:02.128-04:00SLOW FOR THE MANATEESI am not into saving endangered animals of any kind. That is not my life focus. I worship the Creator not the creature. Animals of any kind do catch my attention. I love the outdoors with all of the plant life and little creatures. I am just not into tree hugging or animal worship.<br />
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Friday and Saturday Wanda and I enjoyed some "down" time in a quiet condo on the Gulf of Mexico in Steinhatchee, FL. The condo was located right at the mouth of the Steinhatchee River where it dumps into the Gulf.<br />
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Boaters and more boaters made their way out the river to the Gulf to fish. There was a steady stream of fishermen going and coming. Boater after boater made their way to their favorite fishing spots.<br />
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We were sitting enjoying the boat parade as I looked down from the second story porch into a small canal below us. Something dark and big was moving into the canal. There were several of them moving ever so slowly below us. Then one of them rose up peeking out of the water and breathed deeply. It was a manatee with two small babies.<br />
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For the rest of the day they leisurely ate and played below us. They are strange looking creatures. I could see how boat propellers could do major damage to them. They move so lazily through the water. They feasted on something there below the water. Up and down they bobbed playing and eating.<br />
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I think the thing that stuck out in my mind was their slow, leisurely pace. I liked that. Slow and leisurely. I need to try that too.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-18299306186861218922013-05-27T07:00:00.000-04:002013-05-27T07:00:10.326-04:00CAMPING AGAINWanda and I are on a one night camping trip with four of our grandkids. Oh, my two daughters are camping too. We love being with all of our grands and kids. They are our lives.<br />
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Julie and Jen are camping in Camp Wilderness in Disney World and have invited us to come. We could only make it for one night which is a lot of work for only one night camping, but the grands make it worth it all. Oh, and we get to see Julie and Jennifer.<br />
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We have most of our camping stuff packed in a way that it isn't too hard to get it all together. It is just sorting some of it and loading up and taking off. Then set-up, camping, and then take down and home we head again. The few hours with the kids make it a joy to do. We love being with them.<br />
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Camping is a get a way into God's beautiful creation. Oh, there are bugs, and misquotes, and more bugs, and heat and rain and sleeping on the ground and some more bugs. But we have fun enjoying being outside and relaxing.<br />
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Getting away helps relax the mind and soothe the soul.<br />
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I think we need that too.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-63517176510993909452013-05-24T07:00:00.000-04:002013-05-24T07:00:04.795-04:00BROKEN TRUSTRelationships connect through trust. When trust is broken, everything is lost. Businesses cannot function in an environment of broken trust. Governments fails when their is no trust. Sports teams lose when trust is broken. Marriages struggle when trust is missing.<br />
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What is the basis of trust?<br />
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It begins with truthfulness and is bound by faithfulness. When promises, agreements, contracts, or commitments aren't respected and honored then trust is lost.<br />
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Faithfulness is the quiet voice of love. How can we say we love when we lose respect of others and then break our words or promises.<br />
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That is what makes God so amazingly incredible. It is sweet to trust in Jesus. You can take Him at His Word. He keeps His Word. He is faithful.<br />
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We need a revival of trust in our world, but that won't come without a real, honest, heartfelt revival of God and His love. His love in us produces a stability of life, word, and deed. Then others can know we are dependable and trustworthy.<br />
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Broken trust always leads to broken lives. I am so thankful to have a family and dear friends whom I can trust. My prayer is that I will live in a manner that they can know that they can trust in me.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-7750508296937514902013-05-22T07:00:00.000-04:002013-05-22T07:00:01.663-04:00AM I BELIEVABLE?I once heard a great orator and preacher speak to preachers on how to preach. He spoke on the number one priority for preachers and what hearers thought was most important for a preacher for them to be willing to listen and follow the preacher's sermons. Knowing that this speaker was a great orator, I thought he might list study, or mechanics, or content, or style as the vital requirement.<br />
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Not so.<br />
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He said that a preacher must first believe what he is preaching for people to follow his sermons. Now I thought he meant how passionate the preacher was in preaching. Wrong again.<br />
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What makes people believe that a preacher believes what he is preaching is whether or not the preacher lives what he is preaching. Style, mechanics, content, and length are all important, but none of them approach the importance of living the sermon.<br />
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St Francis of Assisi said, "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">In other words he was saying that the living the message trumps speaking the message. </span></span></span><br />
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I desire to preach the Word of God. That is my calling, but more than preach it, I want people to see me live it. That is what makes the highest impact. </div>
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Oh God, fill my inner being so that I may glorify you in deed so that my words will have power. </div>
Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-52941498687024873292013-05-19T17:28:00.000-04:002013-05-19T17:28:40.329-04:00GO GO GOThis has been a very busy past week. Meetings, meetings, and more meetings along with some travel have all kept me busy. I have written a blog for over five years on a daily basis or at least three times a week. I enjoy journaling and sharing and hopefully inspiring to a higher life by what I share.<br />
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Several times I have contemplated taking a pause on my blog, but I still have a sense of calling to write and share. My blog is mainly personal as I share what is happening in my life. My Mom reads it to keep up with what's happening in my life.<br />
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There is so much to do and enjoy in life. I love reading, studying, outdoors, movies, riding "Big Red", visiting family, times with friends, and the list goes on. Go, Go, Go seems to be my theme.<br />
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There is a time to pause and take a break. Jesus did. He took His disciples aside for rest so we all need it.<br />
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There is so much more I want to do in life. I have a passion to finish my journey strong. That will happen as I put God first, seek His will, and obey. That's my goal. I want to be obedient.Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057166324400486358.post-3963370059580875942013-05-11T16:38:00.001-04:002013-05-12T08:38:02.659-04:00HAPPY MOTHER'S DAYMother's Day should be every day, or maybe it is in a different kind of way. It is always mothers' day to rise early and work late. It is from dawn to dusk and dusk to dawn. It never ends. How do I know? I watched and helped and on rare occasions tried to do it alone. That did not go very well.<br />
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I cannot imagine in my wildest imagination not have mothers. Their love grows you up. Mother's nurture, comfort, feed, clothe, wash, watch, change, and work and work and work. It never stops.<br />
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My mother did all this and more. She is a hero of mine. Her faithfulness to her husband, children and the work of the Lord are incredible. Our family would not have made it without her. It is just that simple.<br />
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Mother is 86. I talk to her regularly and will enjoy spending a few hours with her on Mother's Day. When I grew up, she baked a pound cake every Sunday afternoon. I love eating her warm pound cakes. It doesn't get any better than that. I told her not to make a pound cake for me on this visit, but she said she was because she like baking them. Well, I will enjoy eating it.<br />
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She led me to the Lord when I was around 6 years old. I will forever be grateful to her for that. Thank you Mom for all you have done for me. I love you.<br />
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<br />Milton Dykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13989585255964582453noreply@blogger.com0