Leroy Yarbrough Obituary

Yarbrough, Leroy
YARBROUGH HAROLD LEROY YARBROUGH (1934-2008) DR. LEROY YARBROUGH, after a valiantly fought battle with lymphoma, passed away on Christmas Day, 2008. Born in Rome, Georgia, August 23, 1934, to his late parents, J.D. and Charlcie Yarbrough, from whom he inherited a robust energy and determination that was exhibited in every dimension of his life. It was obvious to family and friends early on that he possessed the musical talent and passion for detail that would be accompanied by success. What few could imagine was what the scope of his influence around the world would become. He received his bachelors and masters degrees at Baylor University. While at Baylor he became the director of the Baylor Religious Hour Choir. He went on to do doctoral studies in Choral Conducting at the University of Texas at Austin, and later earned his Ph.D. in Music Education from Louisiana State University. After serving as Minister of Music for 13 years at San Antonio's Trinity Baptist Church, Dr. Yarbrough served 21 years as Chairman of the Division of Church Music and Professor of Choral Conducting and Music Theory at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Following his retirement from teaching, he began his ministry at First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio as Minister of Music, the position from which he retired April of 2008, completing 11 years of ministry there. Dr. Leroy Yarbrough gained respect and recognition around the world for his exceptional conducting skills performed in some 29 states and 30 foreign countries. He was a highly respected choral clinician, organist, composer and arranger for seven publishing companies and made more than 50 recordings. He was as much at ease advising young seminary musicians as directing massive choirs accompanied by renowned symphony orchestras. He knew how to get the absolute most out of musicians while introducing them to the depth and spiritual message of great works of master composers. If you asked him what he considered the most important investment of his life, it would be unquestionably in his love for his family. How could such an intense, persistent, perfectionist disciplinarian be so loving, caring, and gracious? Such was no mystery to his children and grandchildren. A warm, caring and supportive husband, father and grandfather, he possessed a sense of humor and disdain for hypocrisy. He was a role model for family members, for students and congregants. Leroy Yarbrough's life was one of consistency, discipline, integrity, and courage-from his humble beginnings until his death on Christmas Day. Dr. Yarbrough is survived by his teenage sweetheart and wife of 52 years, Edwyna Yarbrough; daughters and sons-in-law, Melody and David Macaulay of Houston, Gina and Danny Howell of Dallas; grandchildren, Ciara and Lindsay Macaulay, Arden, Jake and Grant Howell; and brother, Dale Yarbrough. MEMORIAL SERVICE SATURDAY JANUARY 3, 2009 2:00 P.M. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 404 NORTH ALAMO There will be a reception following the service in Westminster Hall. The family has requested that in place of flowers, those who wish to offer a tribute to Dr. Yarbrough do so as a living memorial to one of the following: First Presbyterian Church Music Enrichment Fund, in Memory of Dr. Leroy Yarbrough, 404 North Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 78205-1985, or Baylor University Center for Ministry Effectiveness and Educational Leadership, Baylor University, One Bear Place, #97050, Waco, Texas 76798-7050. Gift must indicate "Designated to Baylor University Center for Ministry Effectiveness & Educational Leadership in Memory of Dr. Leroy Yarbrough." You are invited to sign the Guestbook atwww.porterloring.com

HUMOR

Give me a sense of humor, Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, And pass it on to other folk!

DRIVING

I received an e-mail from a friend yesterday who said he had made a decision not to drive anymore because of his arthritis and his inability to respond quickly.

A little over four years ago my children made that decision for me; I reluctantly agreed.  I miss driving. I still have a valid driver's license.  The last time I went for renewal, thinking it would be for I.D. only, even though I was in a wheelchair they promptly took my photo and my money and issued a new license.  I think if you were rolled in on a hospital bed with life support you could still get a license.

Because or that 'valid license', I have driven around the neighborhood very carefully just to prove I could.  No one will ride with me, which I don't understand, I HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE.

Carolyn, or one of our four children, or anybody I can convince, are my chauffuers.  I help my wife drive all the time. She does not seem to appreciate my help.  I taught her to drive.  She did not pay attention. 

Besides, I HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE.

YESTERDAY (12/28/2008)

Yesterday morning I preached at Garywood Baptist for brother Charles Sunday (yes he is a descendant of Billy Sunday).  I have preached there many times in the past and served as Interim Pastor  there in  the early nineties.

I had not preached  there since 2004 when I began to lose my balance, experienced neuropathy, which resulted in spinal surgery.  I have  to preach while sitting.  I preached about the ressurection and  tied it in with Christ 's coming to earth as a baby.

OUT OF GAS

The best story I've read in a while....

"Sister Mary, a home health nurse, was visiting homebound patients when she ran out of gasoline. As luck would have it, a gas station was just a block away. She walked to the station to borrow a gas can and buy some gas. The attendant told her the only gas can he owned had been loaned out, but she could wait until it returned. Instead of waiting, she walked back to her car and grabbed the bedpan she was taking to a patient. Always resourceful, she carried the bedpan to the station and filled it with gas. As she was pouring the gas into the tank, two men watched from across the street. One turned to the other and said, 'If it starts, I'm turning Catholic.'"

(from Pulpit Helps magazine, January 2009)

Leroy Yarbrough

Our friend Leroy Yarbrough went home to be with the Lord on Christmas Day (2008).  Pray for his wife Edwyna and all of the family.

SOCIALISM

CHRISTMAS 2008

Youngblood Christmas at Jimmy's....Saturday Dec 20, 2008

Peepaw and Nanny

Greyson

Great grandson, Greyson Carroll, bakes Christmas cookies at Gran's.

He wore his 'dirty clothes'  to cook in.

His parents are Jordan and Sommer Carroll.

Leroy and Edwyna

The photo that follows this entry is of Leroy and Edwyna Yarbrough of San Antonio, Texas.

Leroy and I started first  grade  together in Rome, Georgia.  Edwyna was our preacher's daughter and Carolyn's best friend; they were in nursing school at Georgia Baptist Hospital. 

They came back to Rome for our wedding.  Leroy went on to earn his Doctorate in Music and later was Proffesor of Muic at New Orleans Seminary.  We visited them on the campus there.

We received a 50th Anniversary Card from them and learned then that he had cancer.

His  two daughters have been posting updates on his condition.  I t is worsening each day.

Join us in prayer for them.

Click on their names for updates, etc. about them.

Leroy and Edwyna Yarbrough

BAKING AT GRANS

Great Grandaughter Bailey and Callie Cox Baking Christmas Cookies at Gran.

(Kathy Carroll).  Christmas 2008

SURVIVING THIS ECONOMY

Howard Dayton

Posted on Dec 17, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Subprime housing crisis. Dramatic shifts in the global economy. Bankruptcies. Bailouts. They all are economic terms to which few of us paid much attention -- until now.

Today we are experiencing the brunt of a financial blow that has impacted our total economy. As the economic downturn expands, many businesses are going under. Tens of thousands of individuals and families all across our nation are suffering from job loss, or at least the possibility of job loss. Perhaps you are, too. 

Joblessness is a stress-maker of huge proportions. The emotional upheaval of losing a job is a major life change that can leave a person feeling totally out of control -- and angry.

Obviously, reduced income significantly increases the need to make sound financial choices, and economic downswings like the one we're experiencing amplify that need. Any personal financial crisis today places you in the middle of a global crisis. It's not easy to know just what to do. 

Organizations such as Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) often can help you negotiate the financial maze, especially with your creditors. The Atlanta CCCS office (888-771-4673 or www.cccsatl.org) works with people in any area of the country.

Crown Financial Ministries has a network of trained volunteer budget counselors who may be helpful to you during difficult financial transitions. Call Crown at 800-722-1976 or visit www.crown.org for more information.

Your new "job" may be to find a job. However, often the trauma of job loss requires time for healing and evaluating what has happened. Unfortunately, most people don't have the luxury of time for emotional healing, because bills pile up, mouths must be fed and mortgages have to be paid.

Most families simply don't have adequate savings for such emergencies. Add to that the numbers of other job seekers resulting from a mounting unemployment rate, and you could be facing a formidable task.

Nevertheless, if you've lost your job, there are several things you should do:

1. List financial assets. Take immediate stock of your finances. Include savings, spendable assets, income, any severance pay, and unemployment compensation. Then, develop a short-term financial plan. To do this you must:

-- Know your bottom-line monthly needs, and include all bills.

-- Cut expenses in every way possible. Yes, that could mean things like cable, cell phones and so forth.

-- Arrange a plan with creditors that will reduce payments on a temporary basis.

-- Project the cash you will have available for a short-term budget and determine a timeline for how long you can be without work.

-- Tell your church if you have a need for financial assistance during this transitional period. 

There was a day when the church helped its own, but then the government took over that responsibility. Perhaps it's time once again for the church to be the church in this respect.

2. Inventory non-financial assets. During a time like this, you'll need to conduct an honest, completely candid self-analysis.

-- Outline your work history and identify types of work and responsibilities you've had.

-- Identify your transferable skills so you can present them to a potential employer. This is no time to think you have to start at the top of the heap.

-- Develop a one-page résumé (unless you've been employed in the same field 10 or more years) and tailor it to fit any particular job openings.

-- Think creatively and if you have the financial resources consider learning new skills. 

-- Career guide resources are available at www.crown.org.

3. Know network assets. Use leads from people you know to make direct contact with potential employees. Networking is the name of the game. 

-- Get involved in a church-sponsored job network group, or begin one yourself. 

-- Be very cautious using Internet job searches. Economic slumps bring many imaginative scam artists online too. 

-- Set and meet measurable goals for daily job search assignments.

-- Remember, getting a job is your new job for now.

4. Look after your greatest assets. Economic conditions are terrible -- and they could become worse. So, check your spiritual pulse and that of your family, and be sure you're trusting God.

-- Continue family devotions, Bible study and prayer. This is no time to become a spiritual dropout. 

-- Relax, relate to family members and others, and avoid excesses of any kind.

-- Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise and spend six to eight hours each day job-hunting.

-- Covenant with your spouse or a friend so they can hold you accountable for goals in your job search and encourage you in the process.

-- Continue to trust God and wait patiently for Him to provide your next job. 
The psalmist wrote, "If I say, 'My foot is slipping,' Your faithful love will support me, LORD" (Psalm 94:18). 

Remember, Christian, in all that occurs, God will hold you up.
--30--
Howard Dayton is co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries and the current host of Crown's radio program, "Money Matters." Dayton and the late Larry Burkett joined forces in 2000 when Crown Ministries, led by Dayton, merged with Christian Financial Concepts, led by Burkett. The new organization became Crown Financial Ministries, on the web at www.crown.org.

THE NEED TO WRITE?

My daughter, Kathy, said I needed to write.  I am writing.

One of my many excuses for not writing is 'neuropathy' in my hands (I keep hitting the wrong keys).  I guess I'll have to go back to one finger typing.

I have really enjoyed reading other blogs lately.  Kathy has updated her blog.  I look at Musings from Maytown almost everyday.  Have been following chadclem.com pretty close for the past few months.  You can find links to these and others on my blog page. Almost everybody in the world now has a blog.  Do you have yours?  It's free.

We are approaching the third week of our new study in our Sunday School class. The subject: 'THE MIRACLE OF LIFE CHANGE' based on the book of the same title by Chip Ingram.  I have a few problems with some of the wording by the author, but it is a good study.  This will last for six weeks.

Carolyn just returned from one of many tests ordered recently by her doctor. Mostly minor problems, although, she will have to have her thyroid removed after the end of the year; she has multiple nodules (not a new problem).

I am tired. I quit.

AVOIDING DISAPPOINTMENT

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

-Mark Twain

More proverbs

"Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps his mouth shut"

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"

"If you're going through hell, keep going" Churchill

STRESS MANAGEMENT

This is simple enough that even I can understand it:

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, 'How heavy is this glass of water ? ' Answers called out ranged from 8oz. To 20oz. The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. 'If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.' 'In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. '

He continued, 'And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. ' 'As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. ' 'So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work/life down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow.' 'Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy!'

And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

1 * Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4 * Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8 * Never buy a car you can't push.

9* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

11* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.

13 * When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

14* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once

17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18* A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Sam (Samuel Stephen) Youngblood

2008

PRAYING FOR OUR PRESIDENT

This article reminds me of my civic duty as a Christian...

Praying for our president 
Curt Iles

Posted on Nov 24, 2008

DRY CREEK, La. (BP)--Since our recent presidential election, I've often thought of my deceased grandfather and an important lesson he modeled.

My maternal grandfather, Sidney Plott, taught me to pray for our president. In all of my years of memory -- from President Dwight Eisenhower to the end of George H.W. Bush's term -- he always prayed for the president. At every meal, he sincerely asked God's blessings and guidance on "Our President." It didn't matter who occupied the White House, "Grandpa Sid" believed Scripture mandated prayer and respect (Romans 13:1), and he faithfully prayed it until the very day of his death. 

Although in the 2008 election I didn't vote for Barak Obama, he will be my president. I do not need to explain, or apologize for, my vote for his opponent, John McCain.

All that matters is the present; the American people have spoken and we've elected a president. He is my president, and I'll give him my prayers, best wishes and support. This doesn't mean I'll agree with all of his decisions, but it signifies I'll show him the respect due our nation's highest office.

In the last decade, I've had the privilege of traveling in Africa, Asia, Europe and Central America. On each trip, I've realized with gratitude the many blessings we Americans enjoy. Anyone who has traveled this Earth knows what a blessed nation we are. 

However, I've often heard the scorn many residents of the world feel for our nation and its leaders. I've found this statement to be true: "The world dislikes America, but it likes Americans."

I've always personally been treated with respect in foreign places -- even in countries with divergent political and religious views from ours. Even so, my new friends have been quick to question and criticize our government.

I've tried to listen carefully, because every criticism presents us with a chance to learn. When I could, I've tried to explain or expand. 

However, if I could be with those friends now, I'd say, "Watch us. We'll show you the American way to change governments."

In these travels, I've read the varied history of the countries and continents. In most places, regime changes have been bloody and full of retaliation. I've just finished a book, "The Fate of Africa," that details the post-colonial history of this continent I've come to love. It contains tale after tale of violence, oppression, and military coups. 

But that's not how we do it in the United States of America.

A small news item from Nov. 5 illustrates this.

At 6 a.m. on the morning after our election, the Secret Service ended their protection of John McCain. Later that day, he and his wife Cindy drove home, without bodyguards or chauffeurs. Notice this -- John McCain drove himself home. He once again became citizen McCain.

This wouldn't happen in most areas of the world. The loser of an election often also loses their freedom, if not their life. But that's not the American way.

President-elect Obama and his wife Michelle visited the White House the other day, where President Bush and his wife Laura greeted them. All four of them exhibited dignity and class. It was symbolic of the peaceful transfer of power that is emblematic of our country. These two leaders, in spite of their past differences, were extremely gracious and helpful to each other in a transition of power befitting the United States of America.

I'm not sure what we should expect in our country's coming days. In my lifetime, there's never been more uncertainty as great challenges both at home and abroad confront us. But there is one thing I know: We are Americans and we'll get through this time together.

However, we move forward confidently knowing that God -- as He always has been -- is in control. Our job is pretty simple: Pray for our leaders and government to make good decisions.

50TH ANNIVERSARY ARTICLE FOR NEWS

Max and Carolyn Youngblood of Bessemer will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary on November 27, 2008. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, 1958 at Calvary Baptist Church in Rome, Georgia.  They moved shortly thereafter to Birmingham to begin married life.  Max and Carolyn are the parents of Virginia Browning of McCalla, Kathy Carroll of Leeds, Debbie Reese of Tuscaloosa and Jimmy Youngblood of McCalla.  They are also the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

 

An anniversary reception was held in their honor at Loveless Park Baptist Church on November 16, 2008.  The reception was hosted by their children. They were joined by family and friends.

 

They also celebrated fifty-five years of ministry. They were both born the same year in Rome, met in 1952 and graduated from Rome HHH High School in 1953. Max was ordained by Calvary Church Rome, Georgia in 1955.  They have served a number of Churches in the Birmingham area. In 1969 Max was called as pastor of Loveless Park Baptist Church. Following that they served Bellevue Baptist in Sandusky, First Baptist of Carbon Hill, Second Baptist of Bessemer, as well as many others either as Interim or Bi-vocational Pastor.

 

For fifteen years they owned and operated the Master’s Shoppe in Bessemer.

Max is a retired pastor and Carolyn is a retired schoolteacher.  They are active members of Loveless Park Baptist Church in McCalla.

The Sign of the Fish

Just what does the Ichthus mean?

Ichthus (ikh-thoos) or ichthys is the Greek word simply meaning �fish�.

The Greek spelling for ichthus is  -- Iota, Chi, Theta, Upsilon, and Sigma.  The English translation is IXOYE.  The five Greek letters stand for the words meaning, �Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.� The Greek rendering is, �Iesous Christos, Theou Uios, Soter�.

This symbol was used primarily amongst Christians of the early church years (1st and 2nd century A.D.) The symbol was introduced from Alexandria, Egypt; which at the time, was a very heavily populated seaport. It was the port in which many goods were brought over from the European continent. Because of this, it was first used by the peoples of the sea as a symbol of a familiar deity, in this case, Jesus Christ.

The symbol was later used as a means of identifying or acknowledging a fellow believer in Christ without the need for any verbal communication being exchanged. Why was this necessary?

During the reign of Emperor Nero (54 A.D.- 68 A.D.), and throughout the reign of subsequent evil emperors of the Roman Empire, Christians were commonly persecuted, tortured, and put to death because of their faith in Christ Jesus. Emperor Nero himself personally despised Christians. He blamed them for the great fire of A.D. 64 which burned nearly half of Rome. It was during Nero�s persecutions that both Peter and Paul are thought to have perished.

Spread throughout the empire, Roman soldiers were stationed everywhere to keep order and to act as police. This included keeping a watchful eye on the happenings of the daily lives of the people. Often times, when a soldier spotted a Christian, he would report it to his superiors who in turn would be ordered to arrest the Christian and to be brought in for interrogation. The Christian would then be harassed and tortured in order for them to recant and to submit to the many polytheistic religions of Rome. In most cases death would be the final end.

In order to prevent this unnecessary capture and persecution, Christians would often draw an ichthus in the dirt, mud, sand, or on the walls of caves to let another Christian know that he too was a fellow believer of Christ and that it was safe to talk about their faith without the fear of being turned in.

 

It wasn�t until around 307 A.D. under the reign of Constantine that Christians were no longer persecuted. During his reign (307 A.D. - 337 A.D.) he declared Christianity as the official religion of the state which was a direct result of his own conversion to Christianity, although his perspective of Christianity was somewhat polluted with pagan ideology. Nevertheless, Christians, in general, were spared from persecution - at least for the time being. Shortly after the Constantine dynasty ended, a successor, Julian the Apostate (360 A.D. - 363 A.D.), would later reinstate the pagan religions of Rome as the state religion and the protection of Christians was nullified.

Today, Christians all throughout the world have brought back to life this most interesting and historic symbol. Christians today proudly show off the symbol that their spiritual ancestors once boldly and courageously showed to fellow believers centuries ago. So the next time you pass by a vehicle proudly displaying the ichthus, wave and acknowledge your fellow brother or sister. After all they're family!

GENEOLOGY LINK BY VIRGINIA

This is a link to a Youngblood geneology that our eldest daughter, Virginia Browning began some time ago.  Check it out.

Early Christian Fish Symbol

Trey (JImmy Max Youngblood III), HS Senior

Trey is a senior at Bessemeer Acadamy this year.

Carolyn & Max 50th Anniversary Photo

Callie & Virginia-March 2008

Virginia with her neice, Callie Rae Cox.

Getting Bigger

Jim & Sam

STRATEGY

Bailey Cox singing

Bailey singing-March 2008

Bailey Cox

Bailey March 2008

Carolyn and Bailey

March 08

Max, Bailey, Callie Rae

Jimmy & Donna

Ross Bridge, 2007

Loveless Park Baptist Church's Anniversary

Loveless Park Baptist Church's 

28th Anniversary, 1971

RECORD OF MINISTRY

Record of Ministry (mostly from memory) 1953 First Message before student body....Rome Senior High School

1953 First Marriage Ceremony....Gene Adams to Doris Ann Willingham
1953 First Funeral.....Uncle Remus (aunt suzie's brother or b-i-l?)
1953 First year at Tennessee Temple....Preached on the Streets of Cattanooga
1955 Transferred to Howard College
1955-56 Music and Youth...New Hope Baptist, Irondale (non paying)
1955- Preached on H-Day programs across the State While at Howard College
1957 Music....Cedar Grove Baptist, Leeds, Al (first paying job in Ministry)

1958 Pastor, Mt. Olive Baptist, Goodwater, Al

Howard College moved to new Campus...Became Samford University

Married Nov 27, 1958

Virginia Born, Jan 7, 1960...Birmingham

1960 Pastor, Goodwater Baptist, Winfield, Al (now Eastside Baptist)
Also pastored First Baptist, Brilliant for less than one year.

9/4/61 Kathy Born in Winfield

11/2/62 Debbie Born in Winfield

1964 Moved back to Birmingham to go back to school at Samford
Served one year as Associate Pastor and Music Minister at Tenth Avenue Baptist

1964 J.C. Penney....Manager of Men & Boys Department
Nov 1965-May 1968 Pastor at New Hope Baptist in Irondale (Now Grantswood)
Feb 19, 1966 Jimmy was born.
June 1968-Dec 1969 New Orleans Baptist Seminary
Dec 1969-Sept 1972 Loveless Park Baptist
Sept 1972-Jan 1980 Bellevue Baptist (Now First Baptist, Sandusky)
Jan 1979-Oct 1982 First Baptist Carbon Hill, Al
Oct 1982-Jan 1991 Second Baptist, Bessemer
Feb 1991-May 2005 Owned and operated The Master's Shoppe, Bessemer
Interim Pastorates: Garywood Baptist, Southcrest Baptist, Second Baptist, Woodland Hills Baptist
May 1992-1995 Pastor Prudes Creek Baptist, Tuscaloosa County (Bi-Vocational)
1995- Members At Hunter Street Baptist
2005-2006 Associate Pastor/Music at Cornerstone Baptist, Bessemer
Feb 2007 Moved membership to Loveless Park Baptist

Why seniors citizens break things!

FIRST VIDEO PUBLISHED

Debbie, Ryan, Adam and (Callie Cox?)

A proverb

Heard this yesterday at a Bible Conference. Spoken by an Irishman.

"The path of least resistance makes both rivers and men crooked."

NOVEMBER 2008, NOVEMBER 1958

1958-2008

Max & Carolyn

Thankfully, everone in our family is well.  We look forward to getting together on Thanksgiving Day at Kathy's.  This is also the actual day of our Fiftieth Wedding  Anniversary.

50TH ANNIVERSARY

Yesterday was a RED LETTER DAY!  Our children had planned our fiftieth anniversay celebration at Loveless Park Baptist Church.

The day began with Worship at 8:30 am, then Sunday School. Back home to eat and dress for the occasion. Back at the Church at 1:30pm.

Then just before 2 pm a great inflow of family and friends.  It was awesome to see so many from so many places in the past.  We received many wonderful gifts and cards.

Thank you Ginny, Kathy, Debbie and Jimmy for putting this all together.

You'll never know just how much it meant to me and Carolyn.

IN-THE-HOLE-HE-GOES

After a hardy rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys, 
a  young mother watched her two little boys playing in the puddle through her 
kitchen window.  The older of the two, a five year old lad, grabbed his
sibling by the back of his head and shoved his face into the water hole.

As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping, the mother runs to 
the  yard in a panic.  "Why on earth did you do that to your little brother?" 
she  says as she shook the older boy in anger.

"We were just playing church mommy," he said. "And I was just baptizing 
him..... in the name of the Father, the Son and in...the hole-he-goes."

COMPLAINERS

Subject: Illustration, Patience, Impatience, Attitude, Complainers

 

A guy joins a monastery and takes a vow of silence:

 

He's allowed to say two words every seven years.

 

After the first seven years the elders bring him in and ask for his two words.   "Cold floors," He says. 

 

Seven more years pass.  They bring him back in ask for his two words.   "Bad food."he says. 

 

Seven more years pass.  They bring him in for his two words.   "I quit." He says.

 

"That's fine." The elders say, "You have done nothing but complain  since you got here."

DON'T TOUCH ME

A conservative Republican in a wheelchair entered a restaurant one afternoon and asked the waitress for a cup of coffee. The Republican looked across the restaurant, notice a bearded man with a halo, and asked, "Is that Jesus sitting over there?" The waitress nodded "yes," so the Republican requested that she give Jesus a cup of coffee, "On me".

The next patron to come in was an independent Libertarian with a hunched back. He shuffled over to a booth, painfully sat down, and asked the waitress for a cup of hot tea. He also glanced across the restaurant and asked, "Is that Jesus over there?" The waitress nodded, so the Libertarian asked her to give Jesus a cup of hot tea, "My treat."

The third patron to come into the restaurant was a liberal on crutches. He hobbled over to a booth, sat down and hollered, "Hey there, honey! How's about getting' me a cold glass of Miller Light?" He, too, looked across the restaurant and asked, "Is that God's boy over there?" The waitress once more nodded, so the Democrat directed her to give Jesus a cold glass of beer. "On my bill," he said.

As Jesus got up to leave, he passed by the Republican, touched him and said, "For your kindness, you are healed." The Republican felt the strength come back into his legs, got up, and danced a jig out the door.

Jesus also passed by the Libertarian, touched him and said, "For your kindness, you are healed." The Libertarian felt his back straightening up, and he raised his hands, praised the Lord and did a series of back flips out the door.

Then Jesus walked towards the Liberal. The Democrat jumped up quickly and yelled,

"Don't touch me ... I'm collecting disability."

Pun Intended

Pun Intended

1. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

3. She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because - it was a weapon of math disruption.

5. The butcher backed into the meat grinder - and got a little behind in his work.

6. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

7. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road - and was cited for littering.

8. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in - Linoleum Blownapart.

9. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

11. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

12. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

13. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here, I'll go on a head.'

14. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

15. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab centre said: 'Keep off the Grass.'

16. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'

17. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

19. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was - a small medium at large.

20. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now - a seasoned veteran.

21. A backward poet writes inverse.

22. In democracy it's your vote that counts. - In feudalism it's your count that votes.

23. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

24. Don't join dangerous cults: Practice safe sects!

NEW PHOTO (Max and Carolyn Youngblood

Kathy shot this yesterday (10/31/08) in our back yard.

New Motivation

I have been motivated by following ChadClem.com. Chad keeps his blog up to date. Also learned about Twitter through it. There is now a link to Twitter Updates on here. Twitter is free. You can post short comments only. You can do it thru your phone if you use text messaging. I don't.

Praying for Jimmy. He had chest pains; had a nuclear stress test yesterday. Waiting on results.

Praying for Ken Browning. (Virginia's husband) Through blood tests they noticed a possible liver problem; He had a liver biopsy yesterday.
As a resuslt of MRI's they also found a growth on his gall bladder. He will have to be hospitalized for that biopsy

Sunday, Oct 5 2008 Church

Great day in Sunday School this morning. Buddy and Pat Whitfield were not there and Diane Snyder is now in New York.

We looked at Week 5 in our 11 week study, Living The Extraordinary Life.
Our subject today was Obedience.

Steve Thomason Funeral

Donna's dad died last Sunday after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a very short time ago.
I was called upon to conduct his funeral yesterday, June18, 2008. I was honored to do it; I only wish I had know him better. He was a good man.