Independence Day

"Direction not intention determines your destination."

-Andy Stanley

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Signers of the Declaration of Independence

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The quote above is from a teaching series by Andy Stanley of the North Point Community Church. It is an excellent series concerning the premise that our actions dictate the pathways our lives take and ultimatley our destinations. It is not our intentions, ideas, nor our words. Intentions not acted upon are worthless, ideas not shared and discussed are of little value, and words not spoken or, written cannot inspire or encourage.

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I am greatful for all of the men and women of Colonial America and especially the signers of the Declaration of Indepence who choose to act rather than to sit idly by and through their actions set the colonists on a path towards a new type of government.

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WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!

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Fathers Day 2009

Happy Father's Day

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"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother" - anonymous

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"Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

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Friends on the Beach

Kenny & Janet were in town this week along with Lydia and Kenneth for a girls high school basketball tournament held in Ft Walton Beach each summer. We topped off the visit with dinner at the beach.

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This past weekend Tammy and I travelled to Alpharetta, Ga with another couple to attend a wedding. Saturday morning we headed up to Dahlonega, Ga to sitesee. It was a really nice place to visit. I posted some pictures in a Web Album.

Star Trek

Yesterday Tammy & I went to watch the latest Star Trek movie.  I thought it was a pretty darn good movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I can see some places in the movie where some hard core Star Trek fans might have some complaints but I say grow up and enjoy it for what it is.

I can remember watching the Star Trek animated series on Saturday mornings between 1973-1974.  At some point around then I also started watching the original series as reruns and I have been hooked ever since. Yes, I have been to a few Star Trek conventions...No, I have never dressed up as a character...Yes, I have pretty much watched every movie and episode multiple times.... and No I don't speak Klingon!

It is pretty amazing to look over the body of work that Gene Roddenberry started back in 1966 and to think the original series got canceled after 3 seasons.

1966-1969 - Star Trek (80 episodes)

1973-1974 - Star Trek The Animated Series (22 episodes)

1979 - Star Trek The Motion Picture

1982 - Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan

1984 - Star Trek III The Search For Spock

1986 - Star Trek IV The Voyage Home

1987-1994 - Star Trek: The Next Generation (178) episodes

1989 - Star Trek V Final Frontier

1991 - Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country

1993-1999 - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (156) episodes

1994 - Star Trek Generations

1995-2001 - Star Trek Voyager (172) episodes

1996 - Star Trek First Contact

1998 - Star Trek Insurrection

2001-2005 - Star Trek Enterprise (97) episodes

2002 - Star Trek Nemesis

2009 - Star Trek

Memorial Day 2009

"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."

General Logan May 5th, 1868, General Order No.11

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"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

President Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19th 1863

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Traditions can be very difficult to maintain over time without a deliberate and purposeful effort on the part of families, communities or a nation to educate and bring awareness to the meaning and motivation behind them.  Our children do not see the world through the same lens that we do just as we do not see the world through the same lens of our parents much less that of a President in the midst of a civil war over 140 years ago or a woman whose fiance died recently overseas.  So if nothing else take a few minutes today on your way to the beach, the cookout, the family gathering or work and ask yourself a few questions about the meaning of Memorial Day and how you will choose to honor those who have fallen and those family members who have been left behind.

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What's in a name?

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made a burden." Corrie Ten Boom

Someone along time ago looked at a perculiar insect and thought its upraised from legs looked like a prophet praying.  Mantis, in the original Greek means "prophet" or "seer".  So the name stuck and today we know this particular insect as a praying mantis. Below are two pictures from our butterfly garden.  Can you find the praying mantis in the top picture?

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Oh by the way, if you are not familiar with Ms Corrie Ten Boom's life story I suggesst you do some reading, but only if you want to be inspired.