Dr. Pann’s Blog

Did you know we have another motel in town? I asked the secretary the other day to make a reservation for the evangelist coming to speak. I asked what the name of the motel in town was called. She paused for a moment and in complete seriousness said. ” I believe it is called the Holiday Inn.” I guffawed and wiped my eyes, eventually managing to say, “I was not aware of that one.” I will use big words from time to time simply to get a reaction from her. Usually she will nod her head in understanding, yet when questioned closely, she really doesn’t know what I said. Call me cruel, but she is quite intertaining. Come to think of it, Chelsea reminds me alot of my wife and daughters. Since we are speaking of sillly things to say, I must confess to one myself. Last week I treated Mrs. P and my daughter to Chinese food. I called in the order and meant to say, “no onions on the rice.” Instead I got it backwards. “No rice on the onions.” There was a pause on the other end and finally the response. “Does that mean you don’t want any rice, just onions?” I am sure that was a first. By illustration, God’s word does not confuse. It says what it means. Too many times we attempt to fit His words into our way of life, our way of thinking. Sorry, that kind of approach will not work. If God intended things to be read a certain way, He would have put it down in Scripture accordingly. But He didn’t and therein lies the challenge. To heed and obey His directions. Proverbs, 3:5-6. Have a great day in the Lord!

I have had fun with the youth intern and church secretary the past eight weeks. For one thing, they have made me feel young again even though my body tells me otherwise. Their youthfulness, enthusiasm, energy and wonderful sense of humor have been a refreshing change. Now, the scene changes a bit with Larry heading back to college. I trust he takes with him treasured memories of ministering at Hillsdale Baptist.

Check out the twins on Facebook. They are celebrities on doing the laundry basket shuffle.

It has been a busy summer with many church activities, social events and getting ready for winter. Yes, I know that fall has yet to arrive, but the Bible says, “the sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold.” Which tells me whenever possible, we need to do things when the opportunity presents itself. The opportunity to serve God presents itself daily. Are we sensitive to His leading, or do we let things pass us by? I am not sure if you noticed or not, but after this month, we have only four more until 2011.

I have been busy canning, freezing for the fall. My garage is almost winterized. Granny had her final “garage sale” for the year. Before school starts, I hope to be with the kids and grandkids on vacation one last time. The Lord brings each day with its blessings and challenges. What an honor to serve the King of Kings. Have a great day in the Lord!

Who are these people?

Rice_____________
Sponge___________
IJED______________
ELI,ELI,LO_________
Mattchoo_________
Ryler______________

I have nicknames for many people. Some are approved, some are not. Sorry, that is the way I keep track of folk. I just got back from a trip north with several boys. They acted like boys, no showers, unless absolutely necessary, stay up late, giggle like girls, eat junk food instead of nurishing stuff. They like to leave stuff lying around, don’t pick up after themselves and make funny noises. All to the sounds of laughter. Every one of them was a fishing fanatic. We caught enough to have a couple of fries. Mac & Cheese was a big hit, as was hot dogs. We snuck into town a couple of times for ice cream. Good stuff. I re-discovered pork rinds as did another young man, who was more than willing to help consume them. We tried them all, regular, BBQ and Smokin Hot, the latter which indeed lit up our lives, (mouths to be specific.) The boys played cards til it was bed time. We had some talk-in-their sleep type individuals. That could be interesting at times, especially when a person was awakened out of a sound sleep with unusual conversation. We all got to ride the four-wheeler and use the re-furnished outhouse. Some brush was cleared and burned, we put in another dock extension. That was another story in itself. Ask Rye Manifold about that one. Oh yea, Humphry the turtle was caught and released. He was not happy about that. The highlight of the trip? Two of the boys led devotions on Monday and Tuesday evening respectively. We have great group of teens and these men aquitted themselves well. Have you figured out the names yet.?

Bryce-Rice
Jasper-Sponge
Isaiah-IJED
Eli-ELI,ELI,LO
Matt-Mattchoo
Rye-Ryler
LaMar-LaMar

Thanks men, for allowing me to be a part of your life for a few days. Thank the Lord He is part of our lives every day. (At least He desires to.) Have a great day in the Lord!

Ma has a saying about progress. “Don’t know and don’t want to know.” What is her least favorite thing to learn? Computers. Ma still uses a manual typewriter or portable electric job. Recently she typed her memories on carbon paper. Everything is a coupon, discount item or yard sale. She’ll drive five miles to save a nickle. While I am amused at her antics, I find myself doing more and more things like she does. Like buying things in bulk when on sale, whether I need them or not. Buying lots of things and giving them away to family. “Oh, I don’t need them anymore.” is becoming my mantra. One thing is high on my list. No desire to become more technological literate. That is why we have young people on this earth. They are so much faster at picking things up and processing information. Take our staff for instance. Both young adults, can figure out stuff on the computer and in a matter of moments, the task is completed. Me, I’m still trying to find the on/off switch. They can figure out how to navigate, I usually jamb the thing up and find myself someplace I shouldn’t be. I can type something and loose it while they can retrieve lost info for me. I wish I could rid myself of pop-ups, spam, flim flam, worms, squirms and flirms. Sigh, instead I have to yell, “Chelsea, Larry, I am stuck. Can you bail me out?” When all else fails I call the resident computer geek and schedule an appointment. I long for the good old days, when we could work on cars, eat healthy food without all those chemicals, could tell the difference between both sexes and things were moving at a slower pace. My calender looks like a downtown city road map. Hard to tell what is what and where to go next. Thank the Lord I can come to Him each day, request wisdom, strength and joy to make it through every challenge and trial. (Come to think of it, maybe the good old days weren’t so good.) One thing is sure, God is good. Have a great day in the Lord!

David Letterman seems to be stuck on a “top ten ” list. Well, I have my own. These are things that never last.
10. The tissue paper roll.
9. The bar of shower soap.
8. Peanut butter and jelly.
7. Bread
6. Gas
5. Milk
4. Clean clothes.
3. A short lawn.
2. Memory
1. Freedom from income tax

Now my top ten list of things that do last.
10. Dad and mom.
9. Family
8. Bills
7. Health issues
6. Problems of life.
5. A love for brook trout fishing
4. God’s Word
3. God’s promises
2. Eternity with Jesus
1. And the number one thing that never ends…God’s love. Do you know God’s unconditional love? Say “yes” to Jesus and let Him make you complete. Have a great day in the Lord!