Only when it's convenient

 

A brief bluegrass interlude

 

A matter of right and wrong

 

If social media existed back then...I'd be cancelled!

 

Is your happiness the main thing?

 

Give it a try?

I didn’t always feel this way but now, I must admit, I like it when people “give it a try.”

That’s the message I want you to receive: Go ahead and give it a try!

Maybe what you attempt won’t wind up being the greatest, but give it a try, anyhow.

Maybe people will laugh and make fun of you, and throw small wadded up pieces of paper at you from the other side of the room, but give it a try, anyhow.

Maybe someone will make a video recording of you while you are unsuccessfully attempting your achievement and post the video online and you will cry for several hours and be humiliated, but give it a try, anyhow.

Maybe future generations will hear about your failed efforts and put up a large sign near the expressway with your picture on it which says, “Here’s the guy who completely messed up. Not only was he a total failure, but he was an embarrassment to his family, too!”  …But give it a try, anyhow.

Maybe you will waste a shameful amount of time, money and energy, and be asked by members of the community to pack up and leave town…

Um…

Hey... you know what? I just went back and re-read what I’ve written so far and I realize it’s not exactly the exciting, motivational piece I intended it to be. I was hoping it would have a different feel. You know, an inspirational feel! Perhaps even a touch of encouragement and zest! To be honest, I feel badly about it. It’s not what I hoped for.

Oh well…

At least I gave it a try!

Take a stroll around Lake Katherine with us

 

E-Flash From Dan, 8/21/20

 Dear E-Flash Friends;

We will be having our service in the sanctuary this Sunday, August 23^rd, at 11 a.m. We will be continuing with our series: What Would Jesus NOT Do? You are invited to join us! And if you are planning to come it would be helpful if you would let us know.

You are probably aware of this already, but we will mention it again, anyhow: If you are not feeling well or are running a fever please do not attend the services in person. And for the safety of others please plan to wear a mask while in the building.

We will Live stream the service on Facebook for those who are not able to be physically present with us.

I am trusting and believing the service will be a blessing, whether you can make it in person or online!

These penetrating words of Jesus have been on my mind this morning:

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

Mark 8:36-37

I pray you are feeding and nourishing your soul daily with God’s truth, as you walk faithfully with Him. Nothing we pursue in this world, according to Jesus, is of more value.

I look forward to interacting with you on Sunday, my beloved friends!

 

Dan Marler

 

First Church of God

4600 W. 111^th Street

Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Ranting...? Oh never mind

 

The battle belongs to the Lord

 

Say it anyhow...even if it's awkward

 

Greater troubles than you and I deal with?

 

A Minor if Conditions Are Right

 

God is relevant in every area of life

 

Creating a well-known movie title

 Imaginary conversation from long ago in the Groovy 70s…

 [We hear the sound effects that happen when going back in time. Heavy on the guitar wah wah. A somewhat blurry scene comes into focus.]

 …I said to him, “Bruce, if you take the same basic principles you’ve been using in the 3-inch punch and transfer them to a ONE-inch punch, I think you’ll have something pretty darned special…and pretty powerful, too!”

 He thought for a moment, looking out into the distance and absent-mindedly broke a large brick with his pinky finger. Then nodded his head with a radiant smile saying, “Oh yeah…”

 And we both busted out laughing.

 But then he turned to me and I could tell something was bothering him. He became very serious and, with a look of disappointment, said, “Dan, I feel like this whole martial arts thing just isn’t working out for me. I can’t get it to break in a big way.”

 I said, “Bruce, what you need to do is re-title this new film you’ve been working on.” At that moment, I reached up without looking and caught, in mid-air, a sharp arrow someone at the school shot at us from a hiding place.

 He said, “But all the execs at the movie company think ‘Enter the Muscular Guy with No Shirt’ is a phenomenal title. It seems to score well with focus groups and many of the folks at my dentist’s office.”

 I held up my hand and with a wry grin suggested, “Go with this instead, my friend: ‘Enter The Dragon.’”

 “Dragon?!? …Really?” There was a long pause. “Dragon?”

 “Yes, Dragon!”

 I could see there was some skepticism but he said, “Alright, I don’t know about this…but I’ll give it a try. Hmm, Enter the Dragon!”

 As we got up and walked out the door, the students at the dojo saw our silhouettes, in the setting sun, become smaller and smaller until they vanished out of sight.

And this concludes another fun “Behind the Scenes” story about creating well-known movie titles.

Christianity is supposed to be the truth of how we live

 

Watching a Hallmark Movie

  

I was watching a movie on the Hallmark Channel, late this afternoon. In the movie a man and woman fall in love with each other but it looks like they are not going to get together. Frankly, it would be very impractical for them to be together. Reasonable, sober-minded thinking would lead them to the conclusion that they should not get together!

But then, right at the end of the movie, it’s very surprising, they do wind up getting together, after all. It’s very touching, in a warm Toll House cookie sort of way. And incredibly unpredictable. The whole thing really threw me!

Just before the final credits, the man and woman confess their true love and kiss. At that point, I want to make it clear, I do not have tears in my eyes and I’m sick and tired of people suggesting that I do.

I know…I need to develop an appreciation for more substantive cinematic quality but I can’t help myself. I keep watching these Hallmark movies.

The unplanned moments

We need to be trustworthy, reliable purveyors of truth

Horseplay and Rabble-Rousing with Lucy and Finley!

Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless