My good friend Wendy Leaumont’s dad passed away yesterday. Though Wendy and I have been friends for around 10 years now I never met or knew her dad. He was diagnosed with cancer around the 12th of February. Knowing that she might not have time later Wendy went to Chattanooga (where she’s from) to see her dad. She also got together some pictures and asked me to make a short video of him for the then possible, now occurring, funeral. I was more than happy to do so for her. (You can watch the short video below if you like…)

Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, and that this video put into perspective even more, is how short our lives truly are. God tells us that our lives are “like vapors.” Literally a mist that appears for a little while and then is gone. For me, right now, my life is eternal. As far as I know, I have always existed, and will always exist. The only experience with death I’ve ever had is death of others… not of me. For a Christian though this reality is very different. We have, in fact, already died… and we are already living in eternity. But, even so, our earthly bodies only last for a while.

Wendy sent me 28 images and 1 song to make a into the video memorial for her dad. For me, someone who had never met or didn’t know him, this man’s life is summed up in these 28 videos and 1 song. I can see he fought in a war… he was married… had children… went on vacations… laughed… fished… had friends and family that loved him and that were close to him… but that’s it. I know he is a Christian from Wendy, but other than that his entire life, all those memories and moments, his eternity on earth, are truly a “mist” to me. I can view his entire being in less than 4 minutes. And someday, someone I’ve never met or don’t really know may be putting together a holo-card video of me. As much time as I think I have, my life here is a mist just like Wendy’s dad was. And thinking of that makes me so, so thankful for Jesus and for the hope I have that my life, though not like it is now, will continue on forever with Celeste, Lloyd, Wendy, so many others and the Lord!

Here’s the video for those of you who are interested…

UPDATE - March 3rd: If you’d like to know more about Lloyd Ray here a couple of articles written by those who DID know him well.  First an article from The Chattanoogan newspaper by Roy Exum, a long time friend of Lloyd Ray.  Then an article from the Chattanooga Times Free Press by Mark Wiedmer.  A letter to the editor from Chip Chapman.  And finally Lloyd Ray’s obituary.

Leave a comment - 2 Comments so far

I had a thought today. Why wait for the 5th of November to remember the 5th of November? In fact, if we want to be honest, November the 5th is the one day when you shouldn’t be remembering it.

No, I’m not a pyro, I know that we’re remembering a November 5th long past… but, still, why do it on the 5th? It just doesn’t make sense. Why not the 6th?!

Let’s look at the rhyme…

Remember, remember the fifth of November,

The gunpowder, treason and plot,

I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.

It rhymes nicely doesn’t it? But that’s beside the point. The point is that this “gunpowder treason” (whatever that is) should never be forgot. (I believe it should be “forgotten” by the way… or “not forgotten” as it were… but then it wouldn’t rhyme as nicely… poetic license and all…) That means it can be remembered today! Since we’re not waiting on this coming November 5th to remember, then we can do it now. In fact, based on this little diddy (or dirge… not sure which) we should do it now!

So… won’t you all join me as we should remember, remember the fifth of November.

Now I just need to figure out WHY.

Leave a comment - 0 Comments yet

Using the following simple algebraic equation you will be able to make a perfect sandwich everytime!

x + y + n = perfect sandwich

Where “x” = bread, “y” = condiments, and “n” = meat(s) and /or contents.

Don’t believe me?
Next time you’re wanting a sandwich try using this equation! You’ll find out that it works every single time!

Now I know what my high school algebra teacher meant by, “You’re going to need this in the real world.“

Leave a comment - 0 Comments yet

After many, many years of observing meteorologists on television I believe I finally understand how to do it. Actually it’s not that difficult and can be broken down in the following few steps.

1. Complain about the current weather, no matter what it is like.
2. Talk about how much better the weather would be if it were different.
3. Promise people this better weather is in fact bound to come.
4. Point to a map and show colors and charts displaying said “promised weather” and its move towards you.
5. When the weather changes repeat steps.

Very simple really.

Leave a comment - 0 Comments yet

I’ve got an idea! Let’s first assume the earth is billions of years old. Now let’s take data from the past 100 or so years. Then we’ll extrapolate a theory about the future 1,000 years based on that minute piece of observation and we’ll label it “global warming”. Sort of like looking at .001 second of my life and telling me what I’m going to eat tomorrow night for dinner.

Seriously… if you’re going to convince me that it’s getting infinitely hotter then you’re going to have to put a cap on what “infinity” is. You’re also going to have to convince me that in this case “survival of the fittest” isn’t going to be a good thing. Because hey… some people like hotter weather. We might just have a world that’s ran by the elderly. It can never be too hot for them!

Leave a comment - 0 Comments yet

Seems that the SUV market has jumped on the great big green band wagon. Mercury is one of many who are soon to be releasing hybrid SUVs such as the Mercury Mariner. Now don’t get me wrong, I think “going green” is a great idea. We should all do what we can to make sure our grandkids can play outside and drink water or whatever. But if these major auto makers are willing to alter some things on their cars, trucks and SUVs, then why not go all the way? Here are a few suggestions of things I believe would make automobiles even better…

1. Remove the seats… then… put them back in!
2. Make four wheels standard instead of the current “three” plus “one”.
3. Place a sticker of a scary monster on the steering wheel to deter children from driving.
4. Make the automatic windows actually “roll-down” again. After all, everybody still says that!

With these few simple additions I believe the car makers of the world could see an increase of like $300 to $400 a YEAR! I know it’s been hard ever since Johnny Carson retired.

Leave a comment - 0 Comments yet

The answer my friend is, unfortunately, not blowing in the wind. Unless of course your friend is standing somewhere behind a tree or something shouting the answers to you and you just happen to hear them. But even then the answer, my friend, would be traveling with the wind. Or, possibly, going against the wind, depending on where you’re standing or which way the wind is blowing.

There really has to be a better way to cheat on tests.

Leave a comment - 0 Comments yet

The best thing about feet is, if you use them to flush the toilet, you don’t have to wash your hands again.

Leave a comment - 0 Comments yet