David Phelps

As I write this I am listening to David Phelps sing this song, There is a River. If you are not familiar with David you are missing out on one of the purist voices, today. He is outstanding.

I met him a few years ago in Columbus, Ohio at one of their concerts. He was very gracious and we chatted for a little while. Davis is a "home run hitter."  Listen to "Let Freedom Ring" and you will agree. He hits it out of the park at the end. He left the group for a while, and they did not sing it while he was gone, it was his song, no one could do it like he did.

I often sit here on this couch, with my laptop and headphones, watching TV, but listening to some good old gospel songs.

I have never had an "experience" like my Grandfather did. One Sunday morning, he was a young boy, but going up the steps of his old country church, he was overcome, struck by the lightening of God, or whatever you want to call it, but from that moment on, he knew he was to be a preacher. I have never had such an experience.

I thank Him every morning for getting me through the night, and to help me get through the day. At night, I thank him for the day, and to help me get through the night. I ask him, often, for help. I don't run around town carrying a sign, asking viewers to "Honk if you love Jesus" or something to that extent. I honk and wave at him.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.

I can copy that and drop it in here ...... not sure if I could lead an Army, reciting that ..... I would like to have a closer relationship, but not sure how to do it ...................

The Cathedrals

I was raised in a Christian home. Actually, my grandfather was a United Bretheran Bishop in Indiana. I attended Sunday School and church on a regular basis. The old First UB in Downtown Dayton, Ohio was a big part of my early life.

We had a big piano in our home, and one of my early memories was an evangelist visiting and sitting at that big piano, and almost getting it bouncing up and down with those high spirited gospel songs he played, so music has always been a part of my life.

Going back many years, I heard the Cathedrals on radio and then television. George Younce and Glen Payne have been favorites since then. I owe Bill Gaither a vote of thanks for his bringing all those singers back, and giving them a venue to once again show their talents. Many of them I was not aware of at the time.

I spend many nights with the headphones on, listening to them, often with tears in my eyes as memories come flooding back of my childhood, and also, so many of them have passed on.

THIS IS A GOOD ONE TO LISTEN TO

Here's what to watch for at the London Olympics Today

1. OPENING CEREMONY: A celebration of British culture, with a touch of Shakespeare, pop music, James Bond — and even some farm animals. A huge worldwide audience will tune in for the extravaganza, which starts at 4 p.m. ET.

2. WHO WILL LIGHT THE TORCH? Bookmakers are now convinced it will be Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to break the four-minute mile. But is there another mystery contender?

3. WEATHER: Will the famous English rain blight the opening ceremony? It's been hot and sunny all week in the British capital — but a little wet this morning.

4. REFEREE DIES: A Turkish boxing referee has been found dead in his London hotel room. It appears he suffered a heart attack. Autopsy results expected later Friday.

5. ROMNEY FALLOUT: What will Londoners make of Mitt Romney's implication that the city isn't ready for the games? Will it draw them together?

Fencer Mariel Zagunis chosen to carry U.S. flag at Opening Ceremony

By Maggie Hendricks

Two-time Olympic gold medal-winning fencer Mariel Zagunis will get the honor of carrying in the United States flag during Friday's Olympic Opening Ceremony. 

She was chosen by her Team USA teammates. 

Previous flag bearers have included runner Lopez Lomong, wrestler Bruce Baumgartner and decathlete Rafer Johnson.

"I'm extremely humbled by this incredible privilege," said Zagunis in a statement. "As an athlete, I can't imagine a higher honor than to lead Team USA into the Olympic Games, which are the pinnacle of sport and a platform for world peace. I am tremendously proud to represent my sport, our team and, most importantly, the United States of America."

Television Enjoyment Secrets

I am getting a great deal of enjoyment out of all of these political ads on television. Not only Obama and Romney, but all of the other "privately" sponsored ads as well. I almost look forward to them appearing on our TV. How is that possible, you ask?

I keep the controller, in hand, mute button at the ready, and the more proficient I get at hitting that button, the less audio I get. I have my button hitting time down to a mini-second.

Oh, the peace and quiet during those commercials, only an occasional hum of our air conditioner unit, or perhaps a car passing by our apartment.

I'm beginning to find out to, that many of the new "reality" shows on TV are much better with the sound off. Especially  some of the one-hour shows. Sixty minutes of quiet, so refreshing. No talking, no music, no drama, no yelling, no arguing, and that's just what was on the TV.

My biggest problem now, after watching all these political ads, Obama talking about Romney, in a negative way, and vice versa, is it better to hit the MUTE button, or just turn the whole set off? Actually, with the quality of the new shows, all the commercials on and between shows, political ads, might just be best to get rid of the TV. No, I guess I better wait till after football season, yea, the Olympics too. Just gotta keep that MUTE button handy. Whoops, commercial, CLICK.

The Olympic Torch - Some History

LONDON – When the most famous flame in sports winds its way through the streets of London before entering the Olympic Stadium and providing the 2012 Games with one of its most iconic images, it will be seen as a touching gesture of symbolism, grace and a nod to the ancient world.

Yet while the torch relay began once again at the historic site of Olympia on May 10 and is an integral part of any Games, its modern incarnation comes laced with sinister undertones that can be traced back to Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party and the controversial 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Many of those witnessing the final journey of the flame July 27 will have little idea that its origins do not lie in ancient Greece, and was instead formulated as a major part of the Nazis' plot to shift international opinion in their favor.

"There had been no such torch relays in the ancient Games or, for that matter, in any of the 10 modern Summer Olympics preceding the Berlin Games," wrote renowned author David Clay Large in his outstanding book, "Nazi Games: The Olympics of 1936," which was published in 2007. "The torch relay was one of but many ways in which the Nazi Games helped define the modern Olympic experience as we know it today."

The torch relay would play a major role in the propaganda offensive backed by Hitler and orchestrated by Dr. Joseph Goebbels. In the lead-up to the Games, the Nazi Propaganda Ministry supported a relay of the Olympic flame that would not only provide spectacular footage for Olympia, the 1938 film that was used to promote the Nazi ideal ahead of World War II, but could also be used for significant political and public relations benefit.

Footsteps

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it.

"LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."