february 9, 2008 - do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing (1 peter 3:9)

top of the morning, friends.....

i hope this entry finds you all well. i'm still in my robe, enjoying a cup of earl grey tea this morning before i prepare to run a few errands. i plan to go in an clean out my office sometime this week, as i have a few personal items to pick up.

i am also in the process of compiling medical records for the retirement board's review. that's proven to be a daunting task. i spent the entire day yesterday compiling records for the victim's of crime compensation fund - another very time consuming ordeal.

mary and i went to wheeling last monday for our 3rd pretrial. the suspects attorney is attempting to suppress the blood test, which showed a laundry list of prescription drugs as well as an illegal street drug. the prosecutor feels that even if the test is thrown out, the case is still extremely strong, so we're optimistic. there will be a motion to suppress hearing later this month. we hope to get this case in front of a jury as soon as possible.

i met with the guys from HR this week as well - major bruce ludlow, captain kevin teaford, and staff lt. brian landis. they bought my lunch at the rice bowl. while the topic was not really what i wanted to discuss (retirement), they were very gracious and understanding. amongst many things we discussed, they wanted to know if i was interested in having a retirement testimonial dinner. i said no, that i would have a "get together" sometime this summer - probably at my house. i will have something simple - perhaps a cookout where you all can come over for a burger and beverage. i may be able to talk my dad into coming up and frying some of his famous fish and hushpuppies! we'll see.

story and scripture for the day

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3)

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.

my friend roberta rice sent me a link that i thought you all would enjoy as well. it really hit home for me on living life to it's fullest. it is posted at the end of the blog - after my sign-off. enjoy!

jon (michelle's neighbor) - tell michelle thanks for thinking of me. my email address is: stafflt@sbcglobal.net

janet from seattle - as a fellow motorcyclist, i realize one doesn't easily offer up his or her "ride" to just anyone! i'm honored that you'd be willing to share yours. i just may take you up on it sometime, friend. unfortunately, i think i'll be riding dad's trike this year. i'm not sure i want to risk the two wheeler yet. i do, however, start it every week or so just to smell the fumes...lol

mike hunter - thanks mike, for the constant encouragement. you continue to inspire me. i look forward to speaking to your kiwanis group next month.

kathy mckinniss - thanks for the note, kathy. you've always been such a good friend. i look forward to hooking up sometime for lunch or coffee. please send my regards to eric.

paul hamm - the pinto was a "class act," wasn't it? they don't make self-destructing cars like that anymore! mary and i would be honored to go to lunch with you sometime!

gary & annette humphries - i look forward to your visit. i'm free most weekends, so we need to plan something soon. my email is listed above. thanks so much for thinking of me.

captain tina phillips - i'm here. where are you? thanks for the comment about the picture, however, i took alot of grief about it because many people thought i was 12 in that picture...lol how was your trip, friend? i really appreciated you sending one of your "friends" to meet us at the courthouse. you have no idea what a friendly face meant that day. call me sometime....

until next time, be blessed.....

lisa - 1095