Email Me!

Once again, my love/hate relationship with computers hit a critical point.

On Monday (Memorial Day, 2008) we had terrible thunderstorms here in Middle Tennessee. I immediately turned off the computers and went through the house unplugging things like TV's and electronics equipment. But, the electricity never actually flickered or quit, so I failed to unplug the computers. Big error. When I tried to reboot my PC, it just sat there. It didn't light up, it didn't spin, it didn't even sputter.

Now, this was a mixed blessing. While I did not expect it to give up the ghost quite so soon, I had been in the market for a new computer. The old PC was functional, but hitting the edges of what it could do. And with newer, larger programs to run, the limitations were getting frustrating.

So, there I was, computer-less. I spent yesterday shopping and ended up with a new Mac Pro. VERY nice. GCA helped foot the bill, for which I am extremely grateful. But, when I brought it home and plugged it in, I discovered that my monitor was equally dead. So, off to BestBuys I went and now, finally, I am up and running in the digitial domain once again.

So, here's the deal. When the PC died, it took everything with it. While all my vital stuff is backed up (thankfully), things like my email address book and all the current writing projects disappeared.

IF YOU ARE EXPECTING AN EMAIL FROM ME IN RESPONSE TO SOMETHING YOU'VE WRITTEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ---- I DON'T HAVE IT ANYMORE.

All my email disappeared. Even elongated responses that were being developed into Q&A's are gone. So, I'm starting fresh.

I do not have anyone's (and I mean ANY one's) email address. Yes, I have a couple memorized, but let's not assume that. If you are a friend or regular correspondent, please drop me a line so that I have your contact info.

Oh, and did I mention that I have a tree the size of New Jersey laying in my yard? That's minor compared to the damage some folk sustained. But, it's still going to be a major clean-up project.

So, that's the latest. Hopefully the new Mac will have a long, successful life and the new UPS (with surge protection) will keep it safe from harm.

Drop me a line!

Elder Ward's Memorial Services

I have just returned from Elder D. J. Ward's Memorial and Home-Going Services. The world seems a little emptier now.

Anyone who knows me knows that I counted Elder Ward as my friend, confidante, and pastor. I'll miss being able to pick up the phone and add new "Wardianisms" to my lexicon. He was a rare gift.

It was almost-exactly 8 years ago that Elder Ward and David Morris placed their hands on my head and officiated my ordination (May 5, 2000). I feel honored and grateful to have had a man like Elder in my life. His influence is far-reaching and undeniable. He is the man who, more than any other, taught me how to be a pastor.

Still, God is on His throne, doing whatever seems good to Him. Christ is still building His church and the gates of Hell have yet to prevail against it.

We probably will not see the likes of Elder Ward again on this planet, but "on that great gettin' up morning" we'll gather with him and all the saints around God's throne, praising our Lord for the wisdom and grace that led us, protected us, and blessed us with men like our dear Elder.

The services were beautiful, respectful, dignified, humorous, glorious, and heart-breaking. In other words, they were a perfect reflection of the man we had gathered to honor and remember. And his wife, Sister Brenda Ward, displayed remarkable grace, dignity, and kindness to us all. She is a shining example of what it is to be a God-fearing, Christian woman and servant of the gospel of God's grace.

But, now Elder's gone ... at least for a while. As Elder Spotts said, "We lost our safety net." I guess we will have to learn to rely on one another. But, I sure did love that man.

To God be the glory.