Mitchell Way
This blog post is a Christian parable. If you are offended by something like this, please feel free to come back when I post the next satire story.
The Prodigal Lamb combines two of Jesus’ parables: The Prodigal Son, (Luke 15:11-32), and the Lost Sheep, (Matthew 18:10-14.)
I knew a man named Bud. He was one of my scout masters. Bud was average height and build. He had little hair left on his head and what he did have, he combed over his bald scalp. Bud also had a glass eye. How he lost his eye, I do not remember, but some nights as we sat around the campfire, he would pop it into his hand just to gross us boys out.
It was a resounding crash. Life would not be the same. Not by my own choice, I became retired.
Author’s note: In April of 2005 I had the opportunity to perform this song for Ralph Pauley at the Alumni Band’s spring concert (video is below). I was helped with the talents of Alumni Band members and the BHS Swing Choir. In August of 2005 he passed away. It was an honor to play for the Music Man.
I knew a man who had his own band, the Bellingham High School Red Raider Band. The first time I met him I was the young age of ten. He marched his whole band to the far side of town, and he showed my small school how big band should sound. He showed off each instrument and he challenged the children to play. The thing that I saw in the eyes of his band when he raised his baton and he tapped on his stand was a sense of respect and admiration for the man and I knew . . . it was an honor to play for the Music Man. They marched straight and tall for the Music Man. They gave it their all for the Music Man was their mentor, their teacher, their friend.
Isaac Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion is: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
I have been known to be a grouch at times, maybe even a curmudgeon or as my kids likes to call me, Debbie Downer. I tend to pessimistically see the glass as half empty.
I have been blessed.
I have been given a job and an income my whole life.
I have been given a strong body and health.
I have been given a family who loves me and grandchildren to love.
I have been given friends who have stayed close through the years.
I have been given all that I need: food, clothing, vehicles, and a warm home.
I have been given talents: music, writing, creating.
I have been given assurance of everlasting life.
Though I may go through great trials, I have been given the assurance that I will wake up the next day and in all the days of my life, God will not once leave me.
And yet, I am a shell. I am absolutely nothing.
I am only what God has given me and what he has made me.
To God be the glory!
Faith Family Life Getting Older Growing Up Misadventures Music Patriotism Pets or Pests? Snips Tributes
A wonderful, Godly, woman friend of mine shared with me a message she had received in a deep conversation with her Lord. She was asking for guidance in a situation which was causing her much heartache. She pleaded with the Lord to guide her down the right path. God’s Holy Spirit came to her during this time of deep prayer. He opened her eyes to the reality that God was not just guiding her down a path.
The Lord Jesus is my shepherd. I lack for nothing!
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He gives me rest and he restores my soul.
He guides me on the paths of righteousness that I might make him proud.
Do you ever feel underused by God? Like everyone else is being used in mighty ways and your job is to sit and watch.
“What’s the matter with me? Why don’t I get the gifts?” you ask.
Ah, but there is only one “you” and what God has given you is extremely specific and to be used in a specific way when he needs it.
2009-2020
My granddog, Milton Barry and I walked through the tall grass to a hilly knoll overlooking the ocean. He wasn’t walking as fast in his old age, but he didn’t mind the walk together. As the afternoon sun was setting, we sat together and I laid my hand on his back.
“Be careful. Don’t break it!” he growled.
“The two pieces of pipe aren’t lining up,” I said. “If I put anymore strain on this PVC elbow, I think it’s going to break.”
Gerald Metzger and I were installing new meters in the water association shutoff boxes. Gerald had for many years been the association mechanic. His dad helped found our association and it was officially known as the first registered water association in the United States. As I lay on the ground over the meter box, Gerald stood over me barking orders while staring into the hole.
Sitting on a log at Bowman’s Bay
Believing that today would be the day
That I’ve waited for so long for the chance to say, “Be my wife”.
And the sun was so warm, and the waves were bright
As they rolled to the shore in the morning light
The current was running in the pass so strong