One month out from Joy's death... some perspectives.

Early tomorrow morning (Monday 2/6/17) at 3:00 am will mark four weeks since Joy leapt into the arms of the Lord Jesus.  I'm logging this for posterity and not so much for publication although it will be public.  Her funeral was actually a celebration of her life and the goodness of God.  We ran out of parking room, and the church quickly came up with a shuttle system to ferry attendees who parked at a different location and were brought to the church building.  It is estimated that between 600 and 700 people were with us on Jan 14.  We had people, non-family members who drove hundreds of miles to share with us.  Several folks from Michigan whom we hadn't seen in years and folks as far away as Virginia drove in.  In retrospect, several of the Michigan folks came because in some way, Joy and I had been instruments to help their church through a difficult time and to this day, they mark the singing of the Twila Paris song "God Is In Control" to be a turning point for their congregation.  That is amazing and humbling experience as we realize that God took that song and encouraged that local church that even in devastating and dark times, God was sovereignly controlling the situation for their good and His  glory.  They remember that event and came to tell us, me that God was in control of me as well.

There was also an excellent choir of about 60 musicians from all walks of life who loved Joy and our family and wanted to express their love to our family by singing.  There were former and present students of mine who sang as well.

Jonathan Christmas, Tim Hoak, Mark Redfern, my son-in-law and Ted Christman led in some aspect of the funeral and Pastor (from 1st Baptist) where Joy played in the morning did the graveside service.  Personally, we all experienced great comfort and compassion which has carried us through to this day.

Many folks said things like her lungs are healed now and she's breathing easy; she is in a better place (all of which I know to be true).   Yet her largest blessing is that she is with the One who redeemed her and loved her from all eternity, who called her at the time, gave her a new heart, forgave her for all of her trespasses.  And while even the best worship we experience on this earth, when our hearts seem to be carried away for a bit by getting a glimpse of the Holy City,' those times end and often they are too infrequent in our experience.   Often in worship, we feel distracted, or half-hearted, or find we have impure motives mixed in with our worship.  Joy is completely free of that.  All of her worship is full-hearted.  She is never distracted by a hint or thought of sin.  And her experience is surely one of ever-increasing bliss.  Knowing this gives me such comfort.  She wouldn't come back to this earth if she could.  Yes, her body is no longer in pain and she is a spirit waiting for the quickening of her mortal body on that Last Day when the trumpet shall sound.

"Oh sing to the Lord a new song" isn't just for us on the earth.  It is also in heaven and if there are new songs, someone is going to be composing them and I have little doubt she will be involved in some aspect of writing a new song to her Redeemer.

I do have some times of tears and sadness but much to my surprise, I am not devastated as I thought I would be and apparently, neither are my 3 children.  This blessed, sure hope (which is beyond a mere wish or desire) has helped our family greatly.  We do miss her.  Her wisdom, example, intelligence, musicianship, kindness, compassion, thoroughness, gentleness and love both as a mother and wife.

Bruce Jenner's outward conversion.

Lots of us have issues.  I'm not sure what to make of Bruce's 'conversion' that surgically has removed his male organs, and put things in places where there were no places... or vice-versa.

Can you imagine having (whether born with or not) a desire or feeling that the core of who you are is wrongly displayed in your own body?  I simply cannot fathom that.

I do know is this... that no one is righteous, no not one... all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.  All our righteousness is a filthy rags (menstrual cloths);  no man seeks after God (on his own initiative)... no man comes to the Father but by me...  all our mouths are an open grave.  Now these statements are beyond a simple acknowledgement that: we're all flawed, or we're human, no one is perfect, etc.  Most all will admit mistakes and we've all made plenty of them... but the description is much deeper than it first appears.  We're born with this propensity of 'me first.'  That is it in a nutshell...  an innate sense that we are first in all things and even with 'common grace' that latter meets 'common sense' folks that can see they're selfish and attempt to repair it by going for a life of self-deprecation and service to others won't change that basic desire.

Our problem is two fold; we have a bad heart and a bad record.  God sets the standard of what is good.  He alone gets to 'sign the check' of authority in Heaven.  Your name and my name are invalid in the bank of heaven.  If somehow we could completely change our actions, coupled with a thorough change in our attitude to live the rest of our life perfectly, (and who can?) we still have a bad record.  Our past actions, in-actions, attitudes, and thoughts are evidence that there is something desperately wrong with us.

Some sins announce their presence in what is observable.  Other misdeeds are completely invisible.  While many will scoff at Jenner for this action (which I too find inexplicable), how do we react toward gluttony that isn't exacerbated with glandular issues?  Having a god that is our bellies is also visible but in some, perhaps most circles, a sex-change operation is a gargantuan sin and yet gluttony, a serious issue from a biblical perspective is mostly ignored.

Jenner claims to be a Christian.  I can't reconcile that.  I don't know if I need to.  But his issue and all of humanity's issues prior to genuine spiritual new birth is the same.  Sin of all types in any amount is not allowed in heaven and a remedy to deal with its present power and past record must be found.  And it has been... in Christ... in His atonement, His curse-bearing, and His perfect life.  May Jenner (whatever name he/she goes by) and all find and keep finding repentance and faith in Christ Jesus.

Islamo - Jihadists and a FB post for which I'm sure will get complaints and who knows, possibly removed or banned for hate speech.

(A recent post of mine on FB) 6/25/14

My new hit tune regarding women "It's My Islamic, Jihadist Kind 'a World." I've penned the lyrics to verse 1. Let's get creative! Y'all join in.

Me in my duds,
'n you in your burqa,
We'll get along,
it's bound to be certain,

It's our way,
As long as you 'memba'
To bow to Allah
Or you'll be dismembered.

(Peace in 'His' name)
Like

A fb friend posted: I find this rude and insulting and absolutely the reason that Christianity has gone to hell. Don't bother to reply I won't be here.
about an hour ago · Like · 2

Clyde Thorpe Now that's funny David!!
about an hour ago · Unlike · 1

Clifton Aaron Boswell
them Taliban yo
they can't hold a candle
I got a dirty bomb tucked inside my sandal
them girls are starin hard at my puffied out chest
cuz I got some splosives up under my vest.

47 minutes ago · Unlike · 1

Another fb friend said  "I find this extremely disturbing."
36 minutes ago · Like

David Malone (me) Clifton, that is freaking hilarious. When my house gits blowed up, mark my woidz... they'ze aftur you nixt!
32 minutes ago · Edited · Like

Then I said this to my other fb friends whom I'd offended
I find them extremely disturbing. It's like making sarcasm towards the Nazi party during their years of influence. No offense meant towards anyone but Islamist Jihadists. And 'don't-bother-to-reply-(name removed for privacy)' , my friend, you put down conservative Christians with frequency. I'm using extreme sarcasm on those sick, misguided whack-o's and I'm not apologizing to anyone for it. Find it offensive? I wasn't trying to offend anyone but them. They're the idiots demanding their woman be in burqas and not go to school, and murder anyone who would question their views. I hate their religion, I hate their views on women, I hate that they won't educate their daughters, I hate that many Islamo-fascists sexually mutilate their daughters so they won't have nasty orgasms. They are a sick society and do not deserve pity except for the innocents who find it impossible to object or disagree. To hell with their views, their life style, their hatred of the United States; their bomb you ass to 7 virgins theology and killing of innocents. They are perhaps worthless and nonredeemable and I would rather the US look their leaders in the 'face' and say, "behave or else." And if they misbehave, we nuke the 1st group that tests us. Yes, nuclear obliteration of their land, country, crops. women and children/ They only fear and respect strength and because we do not show a steely resolve, they continue on their misguided and hell-bent ways to destroy our nation because they think we are incapable of unrestricted warfare. Until they see this, they will continue. Too strong or offensive, well... I guess folks that find my reasoning harsh will have to deal with this in their own way.

(And then I realized I'd overstepped and regretted my comment about 'nuke' and posted thusly....)

David Malone noop... shouldn't have said or meant 'nuke.' Rather we should show and demonstrate that we will wage unrestricted warfare up Islamo Jihadists until we break their will to fight. So I recant about using the word 'Nuke' and wouldn't only use that as a last resort for defensive purposes.

Joy

One of the many things I admire about Joy is her skill as a musician.  She was nurtured by her family and her dad in particular. at an age of three she was picking out melodies on the piano and using two hands to harmonize by ear by age 5.  She studied with Betty Hanberry for several years and at some time near her sophomore yr, she began lessons with Phillip Wise at KWC.  She elected to attend EKU where we met. While I was a freshman, this junior girl was definitely a classy lady who was super expressive on the piano. Oh, yeah... she was a looker, too. We were in 1 class together... University Singers where she both played and sang.  At some point in the spring of her junior year, she became engaged.  At that time my level of interest was simply, 'Oh well, another girl off the market.'. That next fall however things were different. Unbeknownst to me, during the summer she had prayed a lot about marrying and had decided not to proceed with fiance' but hadn't officially given back her ring.  She started showing interest in me and i would walk her to class and we'd meet after choir and flirt and sometimes we'd eat in the cafeteria. Our 1st date was dinner at Bonanza which was 'dutch' (I was so lame) and then we watched "Old Dracula" which was even more lame.  Our first date was an unending narrative of each other ranging from spiritual beliefs to quoting Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail.

Augustine and Hollywood Liberals

Watching the Bio channel biography cut of the life of Robert Redford stirs many questions... not in any particular order except those jolted from a too caffeinated brain (gosh, I love Ethiopian coffee).

#1. What are the influences or convergences that must occur that apparently bring so many actors into the arena of liberal politics? I have my own theories. I've listened to Rush pontithicate about this but don't necessarily bite off on his conclusions. I find it very interesting.

#2. Doesn't Robert Redford's life illustrate what Augustine of Hippo penned "we have no rest till we rest in you (speaking of God)? A difficult relationship with his dad, a restlessness, a rebelion against authority, and a press upon his life that pushes and pursues fulfillment in projects, family relationships all point to Augustine's point. I do not condemn him. How could or should I? His life experiences of his own, mirror everyone's native experiences that all of our pursuits expose that deepest of truths that we are made to pursue pleasure. But our ventures that explore these fantasy delights are bent and twisted into a multitude of arenas that promise rest and satisfaction and yet are at their best a poor temporal partyplace that ultimately leaves empty our hearts.

Last day of full choir rehearsal for my South Spencer High School Advanced Choir.  I brought in some pies and we did the eats thing first and then sang.  Sugar got 'em going.  We're preparing "Seasons of Love" for our graduation song.  Not exactly hi-brow but a nice change of pace. They're doing it well.  Said goodbye to the seniors in their last rehearsal.  Tears were had by many due to lots of good friends being made here.   They've never been closer that I can remember.  We say goodbye to lots of seniors and next year will definitely be a reloading year for us.  We will miss you TJ, Elizabeth, Heather, Nathaniel, Bri, Crystal, Ariel, Stephanie and Cece, Alli, Summer & Kyle,.  What a great group you've been and what memories you leave on me.

Eats weights and conventional wisdom

'Diet and exercise' is the common mantra which are required for weight-loss.  I'd given up losing weight outside of getting sick cause these bones are feeling their age.  However... in an attempt (one last college try) to do something about me guts hanging ova de belt, our family decided to do another diet.  We chose South Beach somewhat randomly as the target.  You know, good name recognition, lower carbs (similar in some ways to Adkins which works as long as you stick to it).  So off we went to grocery store to buy copious amounts of protein, cheeses, some veggies and "we're off." 

"Not so fast, dad" said Katie.  Come and watch this video.  I love my daughty.  Emily and I headed over to watch this video (with a sense of 'what is she trying to get us into).  From the beginning, "Forks Over Knives" simply laid out a persuasive argument of the benefits of eating well nutritionally focusing on eating what was the best for you and eating that.  Not quite the focus on don't eat this or that exclusively. 

Well shoot, we'd just bought bunches of meaties and cheesies and now what were we gonna do?  We issued an "all-call" to our neighbor to come and get what she wanted.  It was kind of hard to empty the fridge of dairy... the sound of the meat leaving the fridge and freezer sounded a lot like money going down the drain but alas.

First up, smoothies, bananas, almond milk, frozen blueberries, frozen spinach, fresh kale, collard greens, turnip greens, frozen fruit, fresh mango, orange juice, carrot juice, grape juice and away the blender chugged under the mighty load.  We'd bought a Cuisnart.  It looked decent, not an el-cheapo but certainly not the cadilac brand which costs <$200 (whose name escapes me now).  After some fine tuning of the ingredients it turns out to be delicious.

Jumping ahead to finish this post, with updates coming.  We started in early August and now in mid December, Joy has lost 40+, I've lost 45, and Emily has said goodbye to 50 lbs.  This is the easiest way of eating.  Not necessarily due to the availability of the variety of foods locally available but because of the way I feel.  I have NEVER felt this good in my life.  The energy level is even.  The need for coffee is gone.  I little pick-me-up still comes in handy due to not enough shut-eye sometimes.  The aches in my feet and legs that had started to accompany the rising out of bed in the morning has gone for the most part.

I'm still 57.  I don't feel like I've been given a shot of testosterone but I feel great.  So while eating this way has required quite a bit of purposeful shopping and planning, the benefits have so far exceeded the difficulty that you couldn't pull me back into the 'normal' way I'd been eating.