Happy Thanksgiving

Prentice Meador

Prentice Meador former pulpit minister at Prestoncrest Church of Christ in Dallas and currently on the faculty at Lipscomb University passed away suddenly on Tuesday. He and his wife Barbara are truly wonderful people who have done so much for so many. He was a great minister of the Gospel.

Thanksgiving Nightmare

I hope your Thanksgiving is better than this individuals Thanksgiving nightmare………………

My in-laws were in town 2 years ago and in addition my parents were coming over. It was the first time in our marriage that everybody came to OUR house for the holiday. That morning as my wife was making early preparation, our septic tank overflowed all over our basement. The smell was anything but festive and the mess was even worse. A $50 shop-vac and a $500 holiday septic service special helped clean up a little but nonetheless, it was not something I ever care to relive. We laugh about it now, but then…UGH!

May your blessings overflow this Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving 2008
A year full of blessings
Health
Debbie
Brian
Craig
Allison
Mom-Dad
The Central Family
Running each morning at 4:45 and seeing the falling stars
Hearing the dogs bark as I run scaring away the skunks
Turkey
Summer Saturday morning's Fishing with Mike
My vocational ministry
Debbie’s Health
Very soon a new teacher in the family
Going to bed on a Friday night exhausted from the week
Sweaters during the cold weather
Golf with Debbie
Central YP Group
My Building Principals
Warm Weather
Hot weather
Dry Weather
A God who Loves Me
A Savior Who Died for Me

Do We As A Church Really Do This?

As a Church do we really do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_dZTrjw9I

Thursday Thoughts

Wise words from Donald McCullough:

“Those who have faced the complexity of their own lives, who have stumbled and fallen and been humiliated by their failures, have a more gracious spirit toward other people. They understand that things are rarely black and white, but more often varying shades of gray"

What Makes You Happy and Satisfied?

Last night Debbie and I attended our 17th University of Kansas Honor’s Dinner. We hosted the event where we recognized the top 10% of our graduating class along with the top 10% of the Osage County and Wabaunsee County Schools. It’s always a privilege to honor the best and brightest.

Our guest speaker was Dr. Marlesa Roney from KU. She motivated the kids and encouraged them to make a difference in this world. A question she asked the students was a simple one, but one that we all need to consider from time to time. The question was, “what makes you happy and satisfied?”

As I sat there and considered the question, I thought to myself right now I am really not very happy or satisfied.

Stress at work, activities and meetings each night, late night dinners, holidays coming up but having to work because of reports being due, and pending state budget cuts where I am going to have to lay people off. How can I really be happy and satisfied with all these struggles?

Slow down world. Let me off this rat race. I want to be content, happy and satisfied but how?

By going back to where true happiness is found…….in Christ.

When I got out of the dinner I thought about the words to this new song that I have fallen in love with. It describes what Christ did for me and continues to do each and every day…………

"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

American Education Week

Congratulations to all those involved in educating the youth of America. This week is set aside to thank you for so many long hours and hard work.

Remember

I read Psalm 105 last week and something so simple came to life. It's a Psalm of thanksgiving. A history lesson for God's Children. He wants us to remember that He will continue to take care of our needs. Writing things down helps us remember what has occurred and what we need to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving share those blessings with your family. What has God blessed you with this past year?

My Top 5 Favorite Restaurants

Many of my friends ask me from time to time how I know where the best restaurants are. I tell them its from being in every small town in the Midwest for the past 30 years with school activities, meetings and golf outings with Debbie. Someone the other day asked me to list my top 5. Here they are...........




1. Town and Country (Wichita, Kansas)


When Town and Country restaurant opened its doors in 1957, it was one of the best family style diners in the Wichita area. 48 years later in the same location, they are still considered one of the best home style family restaurants serving a variety of home cooked dishes. My grandparents took me here for onion rings and fried chicken when I was only 6 years old. My kids love this place and every time I hit Wichita I take my colleagues here for the best prime rib dinners in town. The chicken fried steaks are pretty good as well. Best prices in town. Where can you get a luncheon prime rib dinner for $7?

2. Chances R (York, Nebraska)


Best Sunday Brunch I have ever eaten. Great food. The fried chicken, masked potatoes, creamed peas, salad bar and carrot cake are worth the four hour drive northward in a snowstorm to eat here. It's a special place where I ate immediately after Brian was born. Many memories made here. Got my first job in education sitting in a booth at 1:00 a.m. talking with the York College Academic Dean in 1985.

3. AQ Chicken (Springdale, Arkansas)

Best fried chicken in the world. Debbie and I ate here on our honeymoon and eat here once a year on our annual golf vacations. I like to buy a 10 piece bucket, a large order of onion rings, homemade rolls and go to the park and get sick trying to eat everything. Great lemon pepper seasoning. If you go through Northwest Arkansas, it is a must stop.


4. Bubba's BBQ (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)


Best BBQ ribs I have ever eaten. Not a fancy place. Seats about 35-40 people, but many presidents and celebrities have eaten Bubba's famous ribs. Great stop after 65 holes of golf. You can split the order of ribs with another person. Large portions of food.


5. Papasitos (Arlington, Texas)

Great Mexican food and the home made tortillas are the best. It's so good that I usually eat there two days in a row when I get to the Dallas area. Several locations in Texas.

A Prayer for Our Nation

You Have Our Attention, Lord
Prayer offered by Max Lucado
10/4/2008

Dear God:
Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing
This scares us.
This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous-“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What Next?”
What is next?
We’re listening.
And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, you warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right.
Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have,Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor,Wrong to think we ever earned a dime.
We didn’t.
You gave it.
And now, tell us Father, are you taking it?
We’re listening.
And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?
Of course you can.
You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,Built temples out of ruins,Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order.
So do we.
Through Christ,
Amen· • • • ·

God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them. (Lk. 18:7 NCV)

Veterans Day

Veterans Day, 1954
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
3071

Whereas it has long been our customs to commemorate November 11, the anniversary of the ending of World War I, by paying tribute to the heroes of that tragic struggle and by rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace; and

Whereas in the intervening years the United States has been involved in two other great military conflicts, which have added millions of veterans living and dead to the honor rolls of this Nation; and

Whereas the Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926 (44 Stat. 1982), calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies, and later provided in an act approved May 13, 1938 (52 Stat. 351), that the eleventh of November should be a legal holiday and should be known as Armistice Day; and

Whereas, in order to expand the significance of that commemoration and in order that a grateful Nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this Nation, the Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1954 (68 Stat. 168), changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.

I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.

In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.
Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this eighth day of October in the Year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventy-ninth.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

Lincoln to Obama

Been thinking about the historical significance of the 2008 election. As for President-elect Obama we now know he is God’s man for this time. Who knows what our God is up to? Whatever it is, I’m confident it’s a better plan than anything I could come up with. We as believers need to trust the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Finally, to President Abraham Lincoln. Wouldn’t he be so proud right now? Just think- President Obama could choose to sleep in the room President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation (now the Lincoln Bedroom) in 1863. I think that’s kind of neat to think about it.

We have come so far as a nation…………………

Order of Worship

Welcome/Announcements

47 Holy, Holy, Holy (Verse 1 Only)
100 Holy Ground
64 I Worship You Almighty God (Sing Twice)
155 Highest Place

Prayer

In Christ Alone

Communion
Contribution

559 The Joy of the Lord

Message

Invitation 666 I Am Thine O Lord (Verse 1 and 4 Only)

Announcements

That’s Why We Praise Him

Closing Prayer

Craig

Many people ask me how Craig is doing. Great. School is going well. He loves where he goes to church and his weekly Bible study. He loves his job at Ugg Australia. This is a pic of his co-workers at one of the work parties by Glamour Magazine and St. Judes. Craig, don't forget my houseshoes for Christmas!

Congratulations Craig

This was Craig's first election and his candidate won. Both my boy's are very political but Craig has a love for the process itself. As a sophomore at FIT-New York he was elected to political office as a sophomore. He was so excited after last nights results he called me (woke me up) to talk about the possible hope and change our country could see during the next four years. I hope you are right Craig. We need a country that is united and one that can begin the healing process in a variety of areas. President-Elect Obama, our prayers are with you this morning as you begin to make the needed changes for our society.

Election Day 2008

May God be with us today!

Weekend Volleyball

Debbie and I spent the past three days at the Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament in Salina. We enjoyed watching the OCHS Girl's play Friday night. We had a large Osage City turnout for Halloween night but just couldn't get on the winning track. We lost to Jeff North, Hoisington and Phillipsburg. That knocked us out of the two day tournament early.

Saturday we spent shopping and enjoying the beautiful 80 degree weather in Salina.

Sunday we worshipped with some of our friends that live in Salina. We enjoyed the powerful worship experience.

It was nice to get away but always nice to get home............