Love Me If You Can

Sometimes I think that war is necessary.
Every night I pray for peace on Earth.
I hand out my dollars to the homeless.
But believe that every able soul should work.

My father gave me my shotgun that I'll hand down to my son, try to teach him everything it means.

(chorus)
I'm a man of my convictions. Call me wrong, call me right. But I bring my better angels to every fight. You may not like
where I'm going, but you sure know where I stand. Hate me if you want to, love me if you can.

I stand by my right to speak freely. But I worry 'bout what kids learn from TV. And before all of debatin' turns to angry
words and hate, sometimes we should just agree to disagree. And I believe that Jesus looks down here and sees us, and if you
ask him he would say

(chorus)
I'm a man of my convictions. Call me wrong, call me right. But I bring my better angels to every fight. You may not like
where I'm going, but you sure know where I stand. Hate me if you want to, love me if you can.

(chorus)
I'm a man of my convictions. Call me wrong, call me right. But I bring my better angels to every fight. You may not like
where I'm going, but you sure know where I stand. Hate me if you want to, love me if you can.

The Mayonnaise Jar And 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem
Almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar
And 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large
And empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students
If the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles
And poured them into the jar.

He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open
Areas between the golf balls.

He then asked
The students again
If the jar was full..
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand
And poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded
With an unanimous
"yes."

The professor then produced
Two cups of coffee from under the table
And poured the entire contents
Into the jar, effectively filling the
Empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor,
As the laughter subsided,
"I want you to recognize that
This jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things -
Family, children, health,
Friends, and favorite passions --
Things that if everything else was lost
And only they remained,
Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter
Like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --
The small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first,"
He continued,
"there is no room for
The pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time
And energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for
The things that are
Important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things
That are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
Play another 18.

There will always be time
To clean the house
And fix the disposal.

"Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand
And inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.
"I'm glad you asked".

It just goes to show you that no matter how full
your life may
seem,
there's always room for
a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Mid Week Epistole -Leave the Stinker Alone

Leave The Stinker Alone!

A mother in Darlington, Maryland was returning home one Saturday afternoon when she noticed how quiet things were around her house. This was a rare occasion since she had eight children. As she walked up to the house and peeked through the screen door, she noticed five of her children sitting in a circle in the kitchen floor. They were huddled close together and staring intently at something in the middle of the circle.As she crept closer to them, she could not believer her eyes. Smack dab in the middle of the circle were five baby skunks. She screamed at the top of her voice, "Quick, children: RUN!

"Each child grabbed a skunk and ran.

Many times we are told in the Bible to flee from sin. We are to resist evil at all cost and even then the devil will flee from us. (James 4:7) and the very next verse then says to "come near to God and He will come near to you."

If there is something in your life that is making you miserable and causing you grief and you know it is sinful, then leave it alone quickly. Maybe a good admonition would be, "if something stinks in your life, then leave the stinker alone."

Loving Father, help us to see once again the way sin can enter our lives and make our pains unbearable. Only by continually finding the purity of Your love and grace can we know the pure joy of a life filled with the fragrance of heaven. In Christ's name. Amen This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week for another Mid-week Epistle.

I Remember

Yesterday was 12 years since my mom's passing. It was a very hard day for me...And honestly, I was not sure I could even type the words without crying. Add in Kate's first day of school. She missed so much of my life. The first third of my life, she was trying to get it together, so she could actually be a mom. The second third she was my best friend, and the last third...I have had to live without her.

I just can not seem to get passed all that she has missed. This week would also be my Grandma's birthday. She died almost 2 years ago. I just...Sometimes I feel so alone. I feel so jealous of Brian, because he has this great family who loves him. I have nobody...but him. Today, his mom called me because she wanted to see how I was doing. She wanted to make sure I was ok because she knew how hard this week was for me. Wanted to see what I was doing with the kids all at school. I can not be sure, but I think she might just be an angel sent for me.

Letting Go

Today was the first day of PreK for my youngest.



I am very proud of her. She was so excited about today. When we got to the school, I walked her to class. I held her hand while we waited for our turn to check in with the teacher. Then she took the teachers hand, and never looked back or even kissed me goodbye.

I have to go buy her a cake today for her first day of school. Where has the time went? They just keep growing so quickly.

Mid Week Epistole Harmony Know how by Jim Massey

Harmony Know-How!

A beautiful scripture is found in Romans 12:16: "Live in harmony with one another." Six simple words that can be filled will either difficulty or rapture.

Being a musician most of my life, harmony is something that is exciting to the ears. The most common form of harmony comes in the form of notes that for a cord that is made up of intervals of a third. That is simple to do and pleasing to the ear. There are also other intervals that sound mellow or somber those are called "minor chords". And there are chords that are filled with dissonance that must be resolved to make it sound pleasing once again.

There is one rule that is necessary though. It takes at least two to make harmony. You cannot do it by yourself. When two people begin making harmony, you find that one usually sings the lead and the harmony is placed as a second sound below it. That teaches me that there must always be someone who is willing to not be the lead in the music and in a way become a "second fiddle."

Are you willing to do that in your life? What about your family? Are you willing not to be in the spot light, but share it to make something that is so harmonious that people will be amazed at the depth of your love and friendship for one another? That is what harmony means.

What about your relationship to God? Are you willing to let Him sing the leading part in your life knowing that the harmony that comes in that music from heaven is also filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God. We have moved from harmony to a symphony that will make the gates of heaven ring.

Lord, help us make the harmony of our lives be filled with the music that can only come from your Holy Grace. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

What's On the Backside by Jim Massey Mid Week Epistole

What's On the Backside?

A man was driving his sports utility vehicle when he came to a detour sign that read, "Road Under Repair." A little construction was not going to stop this man and his S.U.V. from getting to where he wanted to go. So he drove around the sign and navigated the construction site with good success. His success continued for about twenty miles until he came to the end of the road beyond which there was a gorge over which there was no bridge.

The man and his S.U.V. had to turn around and retrace his route. When he approached the back side of the same construction sign, he read what someone had written on the back of the sign: "WELCOME BACK DUMMY!"

How many times in our lives has God tried to warn us about dangers and paths that we have taken that are desperately needing repair? Sin makes us feel invincible and when we try to prove it is right, it turns on us and shows us how silly we can be.

God does not do that to us. In all our ways, He is waiting for us to come to Him and ask forgiveness and guidance. He will open His arms and welcome us home. That is why Jesus tells us so many times of the great joy in heaven over one lost soul that has found it way. If you are looking for that joy today, come to the Christ. If you have found it, show it to others.

Holy God. in the midst of Your love we find that we have joy that can come only from You. Thankfully, we are given such abundance; it overflows from our lives into others. That was Your plan from the beginning, and to affirm it You sent Christ to us. Praise be to Your glory and power. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Methodist are notorious for their love of food. Join me and see what food is to die for.

A favorite picture of the kids

Jake Saying...Please Mom...Rescue me from my sisters. LOL

and another one full of smiles....

4400

I am addicted to this tv show. I am a bit of a geek about it. I even post on 4400 message boards. Talking about what will happen next. It is kind of sad. But anyway...

I love this show...and I love the theme song.

you can hear it here

A Place In Time written by Robert Phillips & Tim Paruskewitz, performed by Amanda Abizaid

Original Air Dates: 2004 - (USA)


So long ago, Another life
I could feel your heart beat
It's not a dream, remember us
I can see it in your eyes

We'll find a place in time
A place in time beyond the sun

We'll find a place in time
A place in time to call our home

A Forward - The Soldier

You stay up for 16 hours.
He stays up for days on end.




You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.




You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.




You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.




You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.




You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.




You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.




You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.




You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.




Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.




You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.




You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.




You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.




You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.




You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.




You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.




You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.




You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.




You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.




You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.




You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.




If you support your troops, the click "reply to poster" copy all the codes, and repost the bulletin.

If you don't support your troops well, then don't re-post. You won't die in 7 days, your love life won't be affected, and you won't have the worst day ever. You don't have to repost. It's not like you know the men and women that are dying to preserve your rights.

Only God can Fill Your Vessel - Mid Week Epistole by Jim Massey

Only God can Fill Your Vessel

I once read a statement by Alexander McLaren: "God's mercy, like water, takes the shape of the containing vessel." What a wonderful affirmation of the way God comes into our heart when we surrender all to Him.

He does not take just the things that the world recognizes as good, but He takes everything and fills it with His goodness. There is not a corner or cave that sin can hide in that God does not come and sweep it clean and fill it anew.

But yet, the only way He will do this miraculous feat is that you give Him permission to do so. Strange isn't it, the one who designed the universe, created mankind and all around us, still waits for us to invite Him into our hearts? Will you do so today?

Holy Father, come to every part of our lives this day. Take our thoughts, our words, our emotions, our very desires and fill them full of Your Spirit. Then we will be able to offer truth to others in this world today. We desire all that we need, what we must realize is that You are all we need. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week and we will see what is important on the backside.