A Fun Weekend

We had a great time with Brian and Allison this past weekend. Guess where Allison wanted to go?

God Taking A Picture

A little girl walked to and from school daily. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to the elementary school.

As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with lightning. The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school and she feared the electrical storm might harm her child.

Full of concern, the mother quickly got into her car and drove along the route to her child's school.

As she did, she saw her little girl walking along. At each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up, and smile.

Another and another flash of lightning followed quickly and with each, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile.

When the mother's car drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called to her 'What are you doing?' The child answered, 'I am trying to look pretty because God keeps taking my picture.'

Thought for Today

"Study the unusually successful people you know, and you will
find them imbued with an enthusiasm for their work which is contagious.
Not only are they themselves excited about what they are doing,
but they also get you excited."

Friday Fun

A new study found that the testerone level in American men has dropped in the last twenty years. Finally an explanation for the popularity of "Dancing with the Stars."

Jay Leno

School Begins

Another school year started for us in Columbus on Wednesday. I always enjoy the first day after weeks of preparation kids are excited to get back to see friends and meet their new teachers.

Every year, I try to make my way by the kindergarten classroom each first day. That area is always one that provides many emotional moments. Usually eager kids and crying moms. Moms letting go of their little ones and understanding they have grown up and are about to learn valuable life lessons. I remember a couple of years ago in Osage City I saw another site. A middle school parent crying when she let off her middle school daughter. Usually I see middle school parents "jump for joy" when school begins. It was a touching moment. My middle school principal assured the parent she will be fine, will take good care of her. I remember how tough it was three years ago when Debbie and I left Craig at FIT in New York City. Tears, prayers and a long quiet 3 hour plane trip home.

I Saw the following comment on a blog yesterday that talked about their little boy going to kindergarten for the first time: "Well, my little boy started kindergarten today. He was born just yesterday. I swear he was. Now he’s in school, spending a large chunk of his day away from his mother. I’m not sure how he’s doing right now, but his mom’s doing ok, but only as long as she doesn’t think about him. I’ve been spending a large chunk of my day away from the boys for years now and so his absence isn’t what’s bothering me today. It’s that this is the first major milestone in his life. There will be many others and today I’m realizing that they’re coming sooner than I’d like".

Milestones. We all have them. Appreciate them. Celebrate them. Enjoy them. That is the journey of life. Just as my two boys have celebrated milestones. I now know how the middle school mom must have felt.......

First Day of School

I begin my first year and first day of school in USD 493 Columbus today. Every first day brings excitement and a few butterflies in my stomach. My prayer every year is for our students, teachers and staff to have a year of educational excellence and one that is safe and fulfilling. I just try to stay out of the way and support them with the best available resources that I can. May God richly bless our kids this year!

Directions

A little boy was waiting for his mother to come out of the grocery store. As he waited, he was approached by a man who asked, "Son, can you tell me where the Post Office is?" The little boy replied, "Sure! Just go straight down this street a couple of blocks and turn to your right."

The man thanked the boy kindly and said, "I'm the new pastor in town. I'd like for you to come to church on Sunday. I'll show you how to get to Heaven." The little boy replied with a chuckle. "Awww, come on... You don't even know the way to the Post Office."

Teachers-Staff Return

Today is the official first day back for teachers and staff in Columbus. I will welcome them back and encourage them as we start a new school year.

Being the "new kid at school," I'm excited about the new beginnings that will occur this school year. New relationships that will be established and new learning opportunities for our kids.

I want to offer a special gift of encouragement to my daughter-in-law, Allison. She begins her first day of teaching today. The nineteen third graders in Garnett, Knasas, are some of the most blessed kids around. To have a caring and loving teacher for the next 176 days, they will be very fortunate when they walk in the classroom at 8:00 tomorrow morning.

Allison, I know you're nervous and excited. I am too. But remember, God will work through you to be a blessing to your kids.

It will be easy to get discouraged as the year goes along, but remember this as you begin your teaching career...................

• Immerse yourself in His Word.
• Pray. Over time, you will discover that you can control the way you think, choosing to focus on some thoughts and to reject others. The following verse can be life changing. Write it out and post it where you will see it regularly, on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or the dashboard of your car.

"Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if any-thing is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

Have a great day....I know I will as well!

Thought for the Day

"Vision is the art of seeing the invisible."

Off to California

Jan, Chris and Andy are moving to California. They stopped in Joplin to visit with us on Sunday evening. My brother Steve flew out to LA to meet the moving van. We enjoyed the short visit.

A Giving Spirit

I am amazed at the giving spirit of so many in the Columbus community. On Friday, two organizations (Crossland Construction and St Johns Hospital) brought 150 back packs filled with school supplies to give out to our students for the 2009-10 school year. Earlier in the week a young boy contributed 75 back packs for kids to use for the coming year. He did fund raisers all summer so he could help other kids. I have several individuals willing to give of their time this coming school year to continue our after school program. People willing to serve others.

Columbus keep up the great work. Serving others. It pays great dividends. Kids lives are touched forever.

Craig Home

Craig is home for a week before school starts. He will travel to Osage City later in the week to see friends. It's great having him home.

Thought for the Day

It is clearly not the journey for everyone. People succeed in as many ways as there are people. Some can be completely fulfilled with destinations that are much closer to home and more comfortable. But if you long to keep going, then I hope you are able to follow my lead to the places I have gone. To within a whisper of your own personal perfection. To places that are sweeter because you worked so hard to arrive there. To places at the very edge of your dreams.
- Michael Johnson

33 Days to Go

33 Days to go before kickoff of the 2009 season................

A Busy Weekend

Jack is back. Deb picked him up at Miami (Oklahoma not Florida) on Friday morning. He slept all weekend. Tired little guy!

We had Brian and Allison visit for the weekend. Allison's parents spent the night with us on Friday evening before they headed home to Texas. They were all coming back from Branson. Brian and Allison rode back with Debbie on Sunday, as she headed for Osage City, for her last week training her replacement in her old position in USD 420.

School Begins in 19 Days

Mom's are happy.......school begins in 19 days!

Another Great One Dies

Growing up I had the honor of playing against some great athletes on the basketball court. We lost another great one on Saturday night when Rick Bryan from Coweta, Oklahoma, passed away from a heart attack. We were rivals playing 5 miles away from each other. He was one of the strongest athletes I ever played against in high school.

Sports Editor Mike Strain’s blog: Bryan was a great player who had his coach’s respect.
All-American. Hard worker. Country boy. Warrior. Coweta’s favorite son.All of those things described Rick Bryan, a former NFL player and two-time University of Oklahoma All-American who suffered a fatal heart attack at his home Saturday night. Bryan was 47.Former OU coach Barry Switzer, who drove Sunday to Coweta in order to be with Bryan’s family, said Bryan was a “great, great player.” Bryan was a three-time All-Big Eight player at OU and was an All-American in 1982 and 1983. He owns the school record for career tackles (365) by a defensive lineman, ranking ahead of Kevin Murphy and Lee Roy Selmon, and is OU’s eighth-leading career tackler regardless of position.“No one outworked him,” Switzer said of Bryan. “I just wish he had played on a national championship team. He had it all.”Bryan’s memorial service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Coweta High School. Among survivors are his wife, Shelby; son Mike, who is an All-Conference USA linebacker at the University of Tulsa; and two daughters, Jenni and Kristin.Bryan’s youngest daughter, Jenni, is a basketball standout who will be a senior at Coweta High School. In the summer of 2007, a bale of hay weighing more than 1,000 pounds fell on her and dad’s old football skills came in handy.

“He hit the round bale so hard that it came off the ground by half a foot,” Jenni told the Tulsa World in 2008. “It came right off me.”Imagine how college kids and NFL linemen felt when Bryan delivered a blow.Bryan was the ninth overall pick in the 1984 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons and spent all nine years of his pro career with the team. The Falcons learned what OU already knew: Bryan was flat-out tough.“It’s amazing to see how one person can withstand and endure so much pain and discomfort and still perform the way Rick Bryan does,” then-OU trainer Dan Pickett told the Oklahoman in 1983.“I’ve never seen anyone else like him. I really haven’t... As trainers, we’ve scratched our heads a time or two.”A compilation of injuries (including back and neck pain — and a popped Achilles tendon) eventually drove Bryan into retirement.Falcons team doctors advised Bryan to quit after he was diagnosed with a spinal nerve injury in 1989. He kept playing and started 16 games each of the next two seasons, producing a career-best 131 tackles in 1991. He once said his back pain was so severe he couldn’t tie his own shoes.“Rick was a warrior,” Falcons All-Pro tackle Mike Kenn said when Bryan retired. “That’s what made him such a good football player.”Switzer was once told by a Falcons defensive line coach “that he would take a truckload of Ricky Bryans and go play against anybody.” Bryan became a part-time assistant coach at Coweta after his playing career ended and he told the Tulsa World he was doing exactly what he wanted to do.“This is my hometown, and football has given me everything I wanted,” he said. “I’m giving back as much as I can. I’m just a guy who grew up out on a farm, and got lucky and got 10 years of pro football. The Lord has taken care of me, and He has let me do what I want with my life.”Bryan was chosen to the Tulsa World’s all-century high school football team in 1999 because of what he accomplished at Coweta.“Just a great kid,” Switzer said. “A great ol’ country boy. He was a hard recruit (to get). He wanted to go to Oklahoma State. We worked very hard to get him signed at Oklahoma.”Bryan was a linebacker and tight end at Coweta.“I knew nothing about the defensive line,” Bryan once told the Tulsa World. “But (then-OU defensive assistant) Rex Norris told me during freshman two-a-days I could be a two-time All-American. That made me feel good, that a coach of that caliber had that much confidence in me.”Bryan’s brothers, Mitch and Steve, also played at OU. Tulsa World sports writer Bill Haisten once wrote that the Bryan brothers are to Coweta what the Selmon brothers are to Eufaula. All you need to know about how much Rick Bryan loved his hometown is he returned there to raise a family when his playing career ended. He told the Oklahoman in 2008 that he owns more than 1,000 acres in the Coweta area.“It’s a cattle farm and I have some soybeans and wheat, too,” he said. “It’s all I’ve ever done my whole life, ever since I was a kid. I enjoy it. It’s a hard way to make a living. But that’s just the way I was raised.”Bryan once said his first year away from Coweta was “tough” because he was homesick all the time. But Bryan grew to love playing on big stages. Asked to recall his first OU-Texas game, he once said, “For a country boy like me to be involved in something like that, it’s just like you are in a dream. It’s like you are really not there. You are just walking down that (ramp) and thinking what in the world am I doing in something like this?”

Thought for Thursday

"Difficulty strengthens the mind as labor does the body."

Learning New Things

One month in my new job....... I'm still learning about the position and the district. I have enjoyed the challenges and the "newness" that it has brought to my life.

It's a refreshing feeling, but one that can be stressful and terrifying at times. Why because you become vulnerable. Change is difficult but one that is needed if we are to grow in to what God has in store for us.

In Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." God can instill the promise into your heart.

As we look at the the possibilities in the coming school year, what is it that seems nearly impossible in your life? Is there something that God has called you to do that seems well beyond your capability to achieve? You might have trouble understanding how a problem, concern or situation can work out, but the Lord certainly does. He takes complete responsibility for your needs when you obey Him. Answers to life's struggles are all found in His Word.

Psalm 16:11 reads, "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." The Lord will show you what to do and instruct you how to live daily life at its very best. Your responsibility is to stay focused on His will, and completely trust in Him.

Thought for the Day

"He who has no fire in himself cannot ignite others."

Daylight

Most of my friends are aware of my future retirement plans when I hit that certain age. I have a passion for the early morning quiet. I am an early riser and hit the road running about 4:45 each morning. Literally. I also have a love for donuts. I know where every donut shop is located in the mid-west. I have had great donuts, I have had some bad donuts. Yes, there are bad donuts out there! My goal someday is to open a donut shop in a small town (close to a great fishing hole and a great golf course) and make people happy. Have you ever met someone eating a donut that is unhappy?

Saturday morning, on our anniversary (Debbie was sound asleep) I got up at my usual 4:45 and headed to the Columbus Daylight Donut for my first time. I have been so busy, I have not had a chance to try the local establishment. What I found were great donuts. I like donuts that have the doughy substance not the light air taste. I got exactly what I enjoy. They also had my favorite hot-out-of-the-fryer pine cones. When I got back to the house with my donuts and Joplin Globe, Debbie was up ready to enjoy the great donut masterpiece with me.

So for my friends up north concerned I would be lost in southeast Kansas without my favorite donuts, not to worry, the donuts down here are even better.

Anniversary

Debbie and I celebrate 28 years of marriage on Saturday. It has gone so fast. We have enjoyed each moment together. The great times as well as those difficult situations, it has been such a fulfilling life spending it with someone who loves God more than anything else. I have learned so much from this Oklahoma girl. She will never know how blessed I am to be able to spend my life with such a beautiful and caring person.

My prayer for everyone today is a marriage blessing. May God give to you what he has blessed me with the past 28 years. A loving wife, who is the apple of my eye and the most beautiful woman on earth. Thank you God for giving me Debbie! We hope to celebrate with a quiet dinner in Joplin.

Visitors

We had a great surprise on Thursday evening as Mark and Margaret Hoffmeister came by to visit. They live in Independence, Kansas. Their son had a baseball game here in Columbus. Mark and I played college basketball together at York. Mark and Margaret also met each other at York. We enjoyed the visit and look forward to many more being so close to Independence. They worship at the Cherryvale church of Christ.

Jack

We made a fast trip to Broken Arrow on Saturday afternoon to see our wayward child Jack. He will be back with us very soon. I'm not sure he wants to leave the comforts of a Sooner life!

Thought for the Day

"The man who says it can't be done
is generally interrupted by someone doing it."

Article-Keys to A Lasting Marriage

I don't agree with everything in the article below but the researchers make some good observations. A relationship built on God has a very positive outcome.

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) – Living happily ever after needn't only be for fairy tales. Australian researchers have identified what it takes to keep a couple together, and it's a lot more than just being in love.

A couple's age, previous relationships and even whether they smoke or not are factors that influence whether their marriage is going to last, according to a study by researchers from the Australian National University.

The study, entitled "What's Love Got to Do With It," tracked nearly 2,500 couples -- married or living together -- from 2001 to 2007 to identify factors associated with those who remained together compared with those who divorced or separated.

It found that a husband who is nine or more years older than his wife is twice as likely to get divorced, as are husbands who get married before they turn 25.

Children also influence the longevity of a marriage or relationship, with one-fifth of couples who have kids before marriage -- either from a previous relationship or in the same relationship -- having separated compared to just nine percent of couples without children born before marriage.

Women who want children much more than their partners are also more likely to get a divorce.
A couple's parents also have a role to play in their own relationship, with the study showing some 16 percent of men and women whose parents ever separated or divorced experienced marital separation themselves compared to 10 percent for those whose parents did not separate.
Also, partners who are on their second or third marriage are 90 percent more likely to separate than spouses who are both in their first marriage.

Not surprisingly, money also plays a role, with up to 16 percent of respondents who indicated they were poor or where the husband -- not the wife -- was unemployed saying they had separated, compared with only nine percent of couples with healthy finances.

And couples where one partner, and not the other, smokes are also more likely to have a relationship that ends in failure.

Factors found to not significantly affect separation risk included the number and age of children born to a married couple, the wife's employment status and the number of years the couple had been employed.

The study was jointly written by Dr Rebecca Kippen and Professor Bruce Chapman from The Australian National University, and Dr Peng Yu from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Craig Visits Washington DC

Guess Where Craig Is?

A Family Shot

After the tearful farewell on Saturday in Osage City we met the entire Carriger Clan in Ottawa for lunch before heading back to Columbus. Sure will be nice to have Debbie home and her great cooking.

Goodbye

As I looked across the empty rooms for a moment they were alive once again. I saw my 6 and 3 year old boys running down the hall. I saw toys in the living room and Lego's on the table. I smelled fresh baked cookies in the kitchen. I heard Debbie in the laundry room. I saw Maggie in the barn area barking at a cat that ran across the driveway. Then I realized it was only a memory.

Saturday we said our final goodbyes to our Osage City house. The people that are buying it will move in on Friday.

It was a difficult on Saturday closing the door for the last time never to pass through that doorway where so many memories were made. God blessed us with some great family moments at 1626 Brant. I know even greater memories will be made at 405 Lash in Columbus.

Thank you God for giving us so many blessings and memories..........................................

Thought for the Day

"The economy is looking bad. You know how bad it is? In Beverly Hills women are firing their nannies and having to learn the names of their own children. That's how bad it is"

Jay Leno

Where is Jack?

This is a pic of our wayward dog Jack. He is vacationing down south at the in-laws. We hope to have him in Columbus by the time school starts.

Would You Let This Group In Your House?

It was a fun 4th at the Carriger House. Good food, fun and family. What else could you ask for? Craig being here as well. We miss you big guy!

Scripture for Today

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

First Board Meeting Today

Tonight is my first board meeting in USD 493 Columbus. I'm excited as we look to the future and plan for the 2009-10 school year.

Debbie is headed to Osage City today to prep for a garage sale on Friday. We have good news......we have a contract on our house in Osage. We hope to finalize everything by July 17. Please be praying for everything to turn out well on the sale of our house.

We had a great time with family this past weekend. The food, fireworks and family time was great!

Placed Membership Today

The Church at Columbus has been a very caring and welcoming to Debbie and I. We have enjoyed good Bible teaching and preaching from Troy and really have enjoyed getting to know the Church Family.

Debbie and I will officially place membership with the congregation today. We wish to be a part of this great family and minister to the Columbus community. We pray we can encourage the church here as much as they have encouraged and supported us in our move here.

We should have several family visitors attend church with us today.

The Annual Carriger 4th of July Celebration

It's that time of year once again for the Carriger Family to head to our place for the 4th of of July weekend. This year they head to Columbus for our annual catfish fry and BBQ fest. It should be a fun time.

I have enjoyed my new position and getting moved in and acquainted with the staff of USD 493. They are great people.

A Room With A View

Craig has a nice view from his summer apartment in New York City.

My First Day on the Job

July 1, 2009, my first day in my new position as Superintendent of Schools in Columbus. I'm excited as I meet new people and work with a great group of educators and support personnel as we try to give the students of USD 493 Columbus the very best education possible. Please pray for me in my new position and as we look to the future.

Allison's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my daughter-in-law. She celebrates her 23rd birthday today as a married young lady. Hopefully Brian hasn't forgotten what today is.

A Hot but Relaxing Golf Vacation

We had a great golf vacation in Berryville, Arkansas the past 4 days. We played 46 holes of golf on Monday and 47 holes on Tuesday. The temperatures were around 98 degrees with high humidity. But we still kept on playing.

We decided to take it easy on Wednesday and spent the entire day at Silver Dollar City. I think the temperature was even hotter. It was around 100. The best part was the one hour tour of Marvel Cave and the constant 60 degree temperature.

We played one last course on Thursday at Neosho, Missouri before heading home. It was a course that I have wanted to play for years but never had the chance. What a great golf course, 27 holes. It was built by the great golf architect Perry Maxwell in 1926. It is a beautiful Ozark Mountain Course.

What Does This Verse Mean to Me?

What Does This Verse Mean "to Me"?
Titus 1:9, Romans 12:1-2
by John MacArthur

That's a fashionable concern, judging from the trends in devotional booklets, home Bible study discussions, Sunday-school literature, and most popular preaching.

The question of what Scripture means has taken a back seat to the issue of what it means "to me."

The difference may seem insignificant at first. Nevertheless, our obsession with the Scripture's applicability reflects a fundamental weakness. We have adopted practicality as the ultimate judge of the worth of God's Word. We bury ourselves in passages that overtly relate to daily living, and ignore those that don't.

Early in my ministry, I made a conscious commitment to biblical preaching. My first priority has always been to answer the question, "What does this passage mean?" After I've explained as clearly and accurately as possible the meaning of God's Word, then I exhort people to obey and apply it to their own lives.

The Bible speaks for itself to the human heart; it is not my role as a preacher to try to tailor the message. That's why I preach my way through entire books of the Bible, dealing carefully with each verse and phrase-even though that occasionally means spending time in passages that don't readily lend themselves to anecdotal or motivational messages.

I am grateful to the Lord for the way He has used this expository approach in our church and in the lives of our radio listeners.

But now and then someone tells me frankly that my preaching needs to be less doctrinal and more practical.

Practical application is vital. I don't want to minimize its importance. But the distinction between doctrinal and practical truth is artificial; doctrine is practical! In fact, nothing is more practical than sound doctrine.

Too many Christians view doctrine as heady and theoretical. They have dismissed doctrinal passages as unimportant, divisive, threatening, or simply impractical. A best-selling Christian book I just read warns readers to be on guard against preachers whose emphasis is on interpreting Scripture rather than applying it.

Wait a minute. Is that wise counsel? No it is not.

There is no danger of irrelevant doctrine; the real threat is an undoctrinal attempt at relevance. Application not based on solid interpretation has led Christians into all kinds of confusion.
No discipline is more sorely needed in the contemporary church than expositional biblical teaching. Too many have bought the lie that doctrine is something abstract and threatening, unrelated to daily life.

It is in vogue to substitute psychology and spoon-fed application for doctrinal substance, while demeaning theological and expositional ministry.

But the pastor who turns away from preaching sound doctrine abdicates the primary responsibility of an elder: "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9).

Practical insights, gimmicks, and illustrations mean little if they're not attached to divine principles. There's no basis for godly behavior apart from the truth of God's Word.

There are only three options: We teach truth, error, or nothing at all.

Before the preacher asks anyone to perform a certain duty, he must first deal with doctrine. He must develop his message around theological themes and draw out the principles of the texts. Then the truth can be applied.

Romans provides the clearest biblical example. Paul didn't give any exhortation until he had given eleven chapters of theology.

He scaled incredible heights of truth, culminating in 11:33-36: "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

Then in chapter 12, he turned immediately to the practical consequences of the doctrine of the first 11 chapters. No passage in Scripture captures the Christian's responsibility to the truth more clearly than Romans 12:1-2. There, building on eleven chapters of profound doctrine, Paul calls each believer to a supreme act of spiritual worship-giving oneself as a living sacrifice. Doctrine gives rise to dedication to Christ, the greatest practical act. And the remainder of the book of Romans goes on to explain the many practical outworkings of one's dedication to Christ.
Paul followed the same pattern in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians. The doctrinal message came first. Upon that foundation he built the practical application, making the logical connection with the word therefore (Rom. 12:1; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 4:1; Phil. 2:1) or then (Col. 3:1; 1 Thess. 4:1).

True doctrine transforms behavior as it is woven into the fabric of everyday life. But it must be understood if it is to have its impact. The real challenge of the ministry is to dispense the truth clearly and accurately. Practical application comes easily by comparison.

No believer can apply truth he doesn't know. Those who don't understand what the Bible really says about marriage, divorce, family, child-rearing, discipline, money, debt, work, service to Christ, eternal rewards, helping the poor, caring for widows, respecting government, and other teachings won't be able to apply it.

Those who don't know what the Bible teaches about salvation cannot be saved. Those who don't know what the Bible teaches about holiness are incapable of dealing with sin. Thus they are unable to live fully to their own blessedness and God's glory.

The nucleus of all that is truly practical is sown up in the teaching of Scripture. We don't make the Bible relevant; it is inherently so, simply because it is God's Word. And after all, how can anything God says be irrelevant?

Quote of the Day

We talk a lot about worship being 24/7...I found this quote very helpful.
“The best public worship is that which produces the best private Christianity.”

Happy Father's Day

I want to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day. He has been a great dad. He has taught me so much about life. His work ethic and his pursuit of excellence are just a couple of the qualities I appreciate about him.

One of my favorite things is getting to play a round of golf with him.

Dad have a great day! I love and appreciate you very much.

Vacation

My favorite week of the year............vacation with Debbie. It's time for our annual trip to Arkansas and Missouri to play non-stop marathon golf for 5 days.

We will leave after church on Sunday and head south to Eureka Springs to set up camp for a few days. We will play golf at our favorite course at Berryville, Arkansas. Our one day record is 64 holes. Not sure if we can break it, but we will give it a good try.

When you go south you have to check out three great places to eat; AQ Chicken in Springdale, Bubba's BBQ in Eureka Springs and Catfish Wharf in Harrison. Good southern cooking.

We hope to play a course in the Branson area as well.

Scripture for the Day

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

Psalm 69:30-35

The Move

We made it to Columbus on Saturday with the help of our parents, Brian-Allison, Mike-Doreen-Emma and Diana. They were a great help as we unloaded two 26 foot trucks, an 8x12 trailer, two pickups and three vehicles.

The community and church has welcomed us with open arms and we have enjoyed meeting several individuals.

We have boxes everywhere but the place is beginning to take shape.

We might have some possibilities on our home in Osage City. Please continue to pray for the sale of our home. I sure want Debbie to stay with me in Columbus this fall.

Thank you Troy, Andy, Herb and Brian on helping us pack the trucks on Friday in Osage City. You guys are very special.

Blessing our New Home

"Bless This House"

Bless this house, O Lord, we pray,
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout;
Keeping want and trouble out;
Bless the roof and chimney tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;

Bless this door that it may prove
Ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heavenly light;
Bless the hearth a-blazing there;
With smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the ones who dwell within;
Keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be,
Fit, O Lord, to dwell with Thee.

-Helen Taylor

Moving Day is Here

The day has finally arrived as we pack the moving van and head three hours south to our new home in Columbus. We pray it will be a uneventful weekend and one that goes well. We appreciate my parents, my brother Mike and his family, Brian and Allison helping us get packed up. Deb's parents and sister will meet us in Columbus on Saturday to help get things unpacked. We hope to have a large Carriger group at church on Sunday in Columbus. More about the move later...........

My Last Day as an Indian

What do you do on your last day as a Osage City Indian? I plan on walking the halls up at the school and think about the positive things that have taken place. Individuals that have made a huge impact on my life. I will spend some extra time in the old high school where I walked the halls for 6 years as principal. If those walls could talk what stories they could tell. The picture above was taken 17 years ago my first day as high school principal here in Osage City. Thank you Osage for 17 great years...............................

Thought for the Day

This week marks the 54th anniversary of the invention of the credit card.
Before that, people practiced something called "living within their means"
a foolish, foolish, outmoded way of life.

Jay Leno

Central Says Goodbye

The Central Church of Christ had a going away reception for us last night. It was a sad time as we said goodbye to many great friends that we love very dearly. We will miss the 300 family members that meet at the corner of Huntoon and College in Topeka. Thank you for richly blessing us over the past 8 years.

Closing Today

We travel today to Columbus to close on our new home. Excited to be moving one week from today. I guess we better start packing?

I Can See

One of the most precious gifts we have is sight. Being able to see the world that God has created. I have been amazed for the past four weeks watching Debbie has she has undergone her two cataract surgeries and her improved ability to see.

She has commented so often about how everything is so clear. Clear enough that she doesn't need glasses for her distance vision any longer.

That's how it is with our Christian walk at times. We get so busy, so tangled up in sin and ourselves that we are blind to the things that we are doing that can actually destroy our self.

Paul in Acts chapter 9 was a great example.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"

"Yes, Lord," he answered.

The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Acts 9:3-19

When we begin that relationship with Christ we become a new creature. All of the old is gone. And we really do see things differently. We see that love is better than hatred. We see that God has a plan for all mankind and life is truly more enjoyable if we trust in His ways over our own.

Thank You Osage City

The past few weeks have been some of the best and most difficult weeks Debbie and I have experienced. Excitement for new beginnings but sadness for the ending of a chapter in our lives.

We have been very blessed to live in Osage City for the past 17 years. The years went by very quickly as we worked and lived school. It was a great life being able to be associated with some great individuals and one of the best group of kids in the world. We will miss Osage but know you will continue to be a community that moves forward and one that places a emphasis on the kids living there.

Thank you for all the kind words, support, gifts, receptions, and luncheons you have honored us with the past few weeks. We will never forget your love and generosity.

YP....Thanks for the Journey!

We had a great time Sunday night saying goodbye to our Young Professional Group at Church. Debbie and I had the privilege and honor ministering to these great young adults for the past 5 years.

We enjoyed a cookout and devotional at Bill and Diana Carriger's house on the lake. It was a beautiful evening.

I know God will continue to bless this group as they have definitely impacted us on our journey..............

Craig Back to NYC

We had a great time with Craig this past week. He was able to see our new home in Columbus and look around the community. He spent time with his grandparents in Oklahoma and spent time with Brian and Allison in Garnett.

He was ready on Saturday to board the plane and leave the small town of Osage City and head back to the big city.

It sure is quiet at home! Craig have a great summer.