OBX

We are off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a few days to visit with family and for some "R & R." Have a nice Labor Day...

Dry Spell

I go through periodic "dry spells." I don't think I'm unique in that. The proverbial rollercoaster ride is my life particularly the professional ministry part. There are highs and I'm excited and then someone rains on the parade every time! Ironically, the rain usually comes from those you least expect. I used to wonder why some preachers avoided "getting close" to people in the congregation, but now I'm starting to see why. Invariably, some of the biggest complainers & winers are the the used to be fun to be around supportive types. Is this weird or what? In my old age I'm growing ever more intolerant of these folks. Is this bad? Maybe, but I just want to say: "If you don't like it here...if want to believe those rumors...if the leaders are as bad as you think...if you're that petty...if you're that mypopic and self-righteous then...good bye! Oh...and GOOD LUCK finding the perfect church! "

Vick finds Jesus

Wow! I wonder if Acts 2:38 was involved in his discovery.

My Vick Connection

As you probably know Michael Vick and I share the same hometown: Newport News, VA. He also played football at my highschool (Ferguson). The school was closed while was there and he finished at nearby Warwick. Our connection goes still further. In highschool I played football with Vick's uncle Casey. Casey was a good guy and lives fairly close to me now. Whenever i see him we salways top and chat. He was the right gurad and I was the left back at Ferguson (Go Mariners!). Anyway, I saw this picture with Casey in it. He's in the middle in the background smiling big. This picture is from a few years back during brighter times.

Just Wondering

“Everywhere I go, all over the world people still support Mike Vick. Regardless of what I go through, people will love me.”

-Michael Vick

I wonder how many pit bull puppies will be named "Vick" over the next few years...as an expression of love of course!

My baby girl...

My first born, Bethany, turned nine today. It's amazing how fast time flies (I sound like your parents, don't I?). I still vividly remember when she was born. Amazing! My andrenaline was way up there...It was so high I think I could've taken a quarter off of the top of the backboard (okay, maybe not). Now, my little bald, blue-eyed, toothless baby girl is getting bigger seemingly every day. Wow. Tonight we will celebrate with a pool party and lots of friends and presents. Maybe I should turn on "Butterfly Kisses" and sob for a few...

Jack Lambert

One Bad Man...

Pat

I rarley get political on WTBW? Today is an exception and a minor one at that. Pat Buchanan has long been my favorite political commentator. I've liked a him a great deal since he was the right guy on Crossfire (back during my politically formative years) on CNN. I loved watching him skewer the libs and their predictable drivel. I've followed with interest his presidential bids and I also have several of his books. I especially like his columns. I like others too: Robert Novak, Ann Coulter, Walter Williams. But Pat always seems to right on and he has the courage to take on topics than many are too cowardly to face. I wish he was a preacher. I bet he would throw down! Oh well...I can at least enjoy him as a brillinat & bold writer. Go Pat go!

Don't Argue With Your Wife

I made a mistake the other day and paid the price. My wife and I were out for a bike ride and I was leading. As we appraoched an intersection I slowed down resulting in my wife's almost rear ending me. She got on me and I proceeded to tell her to pay attention (all while still riding). As we argued I turned around just in time to see my front tire making contact with a substantial curb. I tried an evasive manuever to no avail! I came crashing down on my side resulting in some seriously bruised ribs. I thought the rib deal was ironic (see Adam & Eve). Anyway it's no fun laughing, coughing or sneezing. I learned a good lesson.

George L. Faull

I'm excited to announce that George L. Faull will the speaker for our fall revival. He happened to be available so we decided to go for it. Brother Faull brings some seroius bible teaching/preaching when he comes. I don't know anyone who knows the Book like he does. Anyway, I asked if I could make some sermon requests. I hope he does at least one of them. Here they are...

• I Have Never Split a Church
• Where I Disagree With God
• In Essentials Unity
• Joe Brown’s Funeral
• Mutiny on Old Ship Zion

And I threw in a couple of others with titles I can't remember. One about having a clear sound and one about being a disciple. I know he is going to rock!

Swimming

I used to think I could swim, but not any more. My family is now full of robust swimmers with the exception of yours truly. My wife swam a mile the other day. A MILE!!! My 8 year old daughter just started on the swim team this year and qualified for the City Meet (it's a big deal) tonight. My six year old daughter, who could barely swim a few weeks ago, is now smooth and fast in the water. Then today my 4 year old son stunned me by swimming the length of the pool (25 meters)! What's up with this?! I swam the pool, up & back, last week and I almost didn't make it.

Freak Show

I used to think that a Republican Congress & Whitehouse would rescue America from the peril of liberalism & socialism. Well, I was wrong. I'm a right winger for sure, but I've continued to slowly become a little more Libertarian these days. Admittedly, I've been disappointed in the Bush administration and in general with the semi-democrat modern big government republicans. Just when I thought there was no difference between the two major parties I got a wake up call in the form of the recent democrat debates. What a freak parade these "debates" are. Can you imagine a President Dennis Kucinich? I can't fathom the catastrophy that would be! Anyway, after I listened (this was difficult) to these folks promise everything to everyone I realized that these guys are essentially socialists. Obama? Clinton? Edwards? Say it isn't so!

Vacation Ending

It's a sad day. It's the day before my vacation ends. We stayed home this vacation and it was really good. I actually enjoyed the pool that we joined a few years back. I rarely go , but we went several days this past week. My children are all swimming these days and that makes it a lot easier on Mom & Dad. We've done a little work around the house (but not too much). We've spent some money (but not too much). Mrs. Willis and I have done several workouts together including a 20 mile bike ride this morning. We've played hard and relaxed too. It's been a simple, no frills vacation, but I've enjoyed it much. I'll pick up the pace here at WTBW next week. grace & peace...

Vicktim? I don't think so...

Things will be heating up in these parts soon. Michael (aka. Mike) Vick has been indicted by a grand jury. I had a feeling that this dog fighting business wasn't going away in spite of the efforts (or lack thereof) by the prosecutor in Surry, VA. Once outside authorities showed up things took a turn for the worse. Hmmm....

Stick a fork in him...

McCain is done! And that's fine with me. No, he's not officially done, but the writing is on the wall.