The Fence….

These words are engraved on a plaque which hangs on the wall above my desk at home:

And I have filled him with the Spirit of God,
with skill and ability, to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.
(Exodus 31:3-5)

And here is my latest project that has kept me occupied lately…….

My wife and I had discussed the need for putting up a fence for quite some time. Mostly, because our little dog was confined to the limits of the long line every time she went outside. We had a small post which screws into the ground, with a swivel hook, attached to the long leash that we would hook onto her collar each time we let her out.

So, I took some measurements, made a rough drawing, marked the location of each post, put together a materials list, calculated the cost and found it affordable to do. Especially since I would be doing all the work myself.

A friend loaned me his post-hole digger (so I didn’t have to buy one) and on one Sunday a couple of weeks ago, I started installing the posts for our fence.

I put in 18 4"x4" posts this way, each one is eight feet apart, and planted 2 feet into the ground.
I only hit one big root near an old stump. It was too big to chop through, so, knowing I needed a new chain for my chainsaw anyway, I stuck the end of my chainsaw into the hole and cut the root out.

Once the posts were installed, I put up the framing for the fence (the rails). I built the rails out of pressure treated #2 pine two by fours and attached them to the posts with 3 inch long exterior wood screws.

Once those were in place, I put up the pickets, which are made from 1” x 4” x 5’ long cedar.

Even though my fence is only 4 feet high, I put up the pickets a little long for a reason. (You’ll see why in a minute.)
My wife made fun of my hat, but it kept the sun off of the back of my neck so I didn’t really care.

After all of the pickets were in place, each spaced at 2 ¼” apart (I used my 4’ level as a guide), I made some more measurements, made some marks, made a template, and trimmed off the tops of the pickets with my circular saw.
Okay, so I’m holding my driver/drill instead of my saw. Each piece of this fence is secured with heavy duty exterior screws. There are no nails. All screws.
I got a little creative with the gate entrance.
I finished just before it got dark, except for the gates.
It had been in the 70’s, sunny, with a light breeze all day.
It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Here it is after I built the gates.

And on the other side of the house……

The dog loves it. She can now run as much as she wants all over the yard, and not in just one small circle.

It has even met with the approval of the neighbors (I asked them about it before I started).

And now for my next project?

I have yet another antique table in the garage waiting to be finished.

Blessings.

Getting the Back Yard Ready…..

Sorry I haven’t been around for a while, but I’ve a little busy.
The play is finished and it went really well.

Then, my wife and I enrolled in a Dynamic Marriage course at church which involved quite a bit of homework, but was still a great class to be a part of.
Work also keeps me pretty busy, but somehow I managed to squeeze in a few other things.

When I looked into my back yard, I noticed that a couple of our big pine trees had died.

They were becoming dry and brittle, so with the help of my handy little chainsaw….

Now, what do you do with all those little pieces of twigs and debris?
Haul them away? Throw them in the trash?

Well, there was way too much to deal with, and I also had another rather large pile in the other corner of the yard where I’d been stockpiling trimmings and branches, so here’s how I got rid of all of it!

It took some time, and the flames reached as high as 12 feet at times, but it’s all gone and cleaned up now.

Here it is, all cleared up.

I left the stumps a little tall on purpose. The one on the left I carved out to make a high-back chair.

Hey! My wife said we needed more places to sit out there!

Those little flags are from the utility companies so I would know where all the underground lines are in preparation for my next project….

Pet Peeves…..

As far as I am concerned, the funniest things are the things that actually happen in real life.

In fact, what happened yesterday was so funny….you just can’t make this stuff up.

And no one saw it coming.

I work in cubicle city. So there is absolutely NO privacy what-so-ever.
Conversations WILL be overheard.

I had a brief discussion first thing yesterday morning with a colleague on the subject of prejudices. (He has a way better tan than me, if you get the picture. Don’t worry. We’re good friends).
After I walked away (because I do actually work for a living and had much of it to do) another co-worker approached him to say that he too had an issue with prejudice people. He felt some people are prejudice against him because of his height (or lack, thereof).

If you know anything about me you would know that I am most definitely NOT a tall person. In fact, I do believe I have heard just about every short joke there is, and if someone comes up with a new one, it won’t be long before I hear that one too. I’m used to it. It doesn’t bother me. I am exactly the height that God designed me to be and I am okay with it. (I wasn’t for a long time, but I got over it and that is a different story all together).

Now, where was I?

Oh yeah. The co-worker who is self-conscious about his height.

He’s a really great Christian guy and the only guy I know around here that is shorter than me. He was telling this other fellow that his only Pet Peeve is when anyone makes fun of his height, or his shortness, or .....well, you get the idea.

Later in the day, their team manager (who is a freakishly LARGE man) overheard another conversation that went something like this:

(First guy): “So, what did you do last night?”

(Short Co-Worker): “I went to the midget races.”

To which the manager blurted out:

“Did you win?”




Total ….and…. complete…… silence.



Later on, the manager went and apologized for being so insensitive.
The short fellow forgave him.




Still…it sure is quiet around here today.




Blessings.


I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)



.

I Saw God Today

Okay, so it wasn’t today. It was actually last week during a very early and very long road trip for work. (But the title sounds better than "I saw God one day last week")

But it was still really cool and it felt as though God just wanted to say “Hello” and that He was smiling.

So I took His picture. (He didn’t seem to mind)




















His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.
His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.
(Habakkuk 3:3b-4)

Yeah, it was really cool and it was indeed a great day.

Blessings.

Proper Church Attire

One Sunday morning, an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin.
Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt, and boots that were very worn and ragged.

In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally well-worn, dog-eared Bible.

The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city.
It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen.

The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and fine jewelry.

As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him.

No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him.
They were all appalled by his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.

As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor.
'Before you come back here, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship in this church.'

The old Cowboy assured the preacher he would.

The next Sunday, he again showed up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat.
Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.

The preacher approached the cowboy and said, 'I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.'

'I did,' replied the old cowboy.

'And what did God tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping here?' asked the preacher.

'Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He'd never been in THIS church.'

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I’ve been to churches like that. Where they are more concerned with how you dress, or the type of house you live in or the kind of car you drive.

Do you really think that wearing the right clothes, having a big house or driving an expensive car will get you into heaven? Of course not.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

The only way to heaven is by accepting Jesus as your personal Savior.

God is not concerned about your house, your clothes or your car. What He is concerned about is how you honor His Son.

God looks at your heart.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:34)

He (Jesus) answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " (Luke 10:27)

How is your heart? Do you have a heart condition? I have to check mine every day.
I just want to be like David. A man after God’s own heart.


So how about that old cowboy?

Would he be accepted at your church?




Blessings.

Normal?….Namely......

The following is a list of names of people I have actually met.
See if you notice something about each of those names.

What do they have in common?

Stacey
Tracy
Leslie
Lynn
Kelly
Terry
Carroll
Marian
Kim
Charlie
Shannon
Chris
Parker
Ally
Dana *

In case you hadn’t noticed, each one of the individuals named here is a MAN!

Really.

And it makes me wonder…..what kind of parent would give their son a girl’s name?

Seriously. Is this normal? Or just close enough?

I couldn't even find examples of this in the Bible.
The women in the Bible have names like Eve, Naomi, Ruth, Mary, Martha, Sarah, and names like that. And not one of those women would be mistaken for a man by the mere mention of her name.

But with some guys? I just don’t know.
At work, I have learned to ask someone first if there is any doubt.

I’m not criticizing these guys or judging them, I just think it’s weird.

Maybe that’s why some of those fellows go by their middle name (unless, of course, their middle name happens to be Nancy or something), or go by a nickname like Butch, or Duke, or Stinky, or Bubba.

Do you know of a guy with what could also be a girl’s name?

I was just wondering.

* I almost forgot about this one. Thanks CrazyDeb!

Alpha Dude for President

I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE.
HERE IS MY PLATFORM:

(1) Press 1 for English is immediately banned. English is the official language, speak it or wait at the border until you can.

(2) We will immediately go into a two year isolationist posture to straighten out the country's attitude. NO imports, no exports. We will use the 'Walmart' policy 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.'

(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.

(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of our many observation towers on the southern border. (six month tour) They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.

(5) Social security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn't put nuttin in, you ain't gettin nuttin out. The president nor any other politician will not be able to touch it.

(6) Just like the presidency, all political offices (senators, congressmen, etc.) will have term limits. All politicians will be required to contribute to social security, just like everyone else. No more “Golden Umbrella”. No more free rides.

(7) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the 40 hour school week and the successful completion of urinalysis and a passing grade.

(8) Professional Athletes --Steroids - The FIRST time you check positive you're banned for life.

(9) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method, the first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more life sentences, if convicted of murder you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your victim, gun, knife, strangulation, etc.

(10) One export will be allowed, Wheat, The world needs to eat. A bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.

(11) All bans and/or restrictions on accessing or utilizing American Oil will be lifted. Wanna stimulate the economy? Bring those gas prices DOWN.

(12) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately cease, and the saved money will pay off the national debt and ultimately lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask the American people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision whether it's a worthy cause.

(13) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and every day in Congress.

(14) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.

Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes but a vote for me will get you better than what you have, and better than what you're gonna get.Thanks for listening, and remember to write in my name on the ballot in November.


God Bless America