RANT RAV!NGS 2013 - Righting societal atrocities...since 1981.

The Birthday Sigh

It's incredible to find the mixed bag of birthday messages waiting on my Facebook timeline (and on my phone) the last two days. Family and friends - some who I spoke to the day before, the week before, and others that I haven't communicated with for months or even years - all send well wishes and congrats on living another year. And for those who point to the "built in Facebook birthday reminder" as a way of cheating (as if the birthday wish is less sincere), I say phooey. I don't really care how you found out. It was the fact that you even cared to write a well wishing that means the most. So, with that I say "thank you".

Every year we view approaching birthdays in dread, with an attitude that our life seems to be passing faster each time and leaving us behind. But over my 32 years on this terrestrial voyage, I've learned how precious life can be, and how every moment is a blessing. Why should we lament another year of life? Of being able to breathe the air?

My Halloween Traditions

 

"With a hip-hip and a clipp-ity clop. He's out looking for a top to chop!"

I love to watch this during "the very witching hour of the night"...

Also this is pretty cool:

 

Someone actually took the time to "remaster" the opening of Disney's Halloween Treat. Take note, Disney! The demand for this classic to be released on DVD (or Blu-ray now) continues to grow louder each year.

Larnelle Live: More Than Wonderful

There are really no words in the English vocabulary to accurately do justice in describing Larnelle Live, but I'll try.

These songs have been ingrained into me from the time I was 4 years old, and now 25 years later they are still just as inspired and anointed. Every song during the "classic hits" medley was like running into old friends, some that I haven't seen in years. 

How are you, I Can Begin Again? Good to see you, In It After All! What have you been up to, Friends In High Places? I missed you, I Miss My Time With You. 

What an awesome journey down memory lane with Steve Green and the vocals of Steve Amerson were inspiring!

And what can be said of the incomparable Sandi Patty? Before the foundation of the world, God decided He would bring the two of you together to vocally craft I've Just Seen Jesus into the greatest musical account of His Son's resurrection in history. Your chemistry together is no coincidence. And my heart smiles to see you both reunited on this stage tonight, performing the song as if it were the first time.

Thank you, Larnelle, for a soul sweeping journey through your decorated music career, and the ministry that God has so mightily blessed you with. Thank you for being faithful to Him and His calling on your life.

It was a night that was not just wonderful, but More Than Wonderful!

The Amazing Shrinking Meningioma!

No growth on the tumors! And perhaps the biggest headline from the check-up was that the oldest tumor seemed to have shrunk! Dr. Nanda had a hard time finding it on the scans.

I am not worthy of His unexplainable mercy on my life, and I will never understand it. But that's the great thing with God...we don't HAVE to understand, just accept it.

And I never, never, never, never, never, never, NEVER want to take it for granted. He is GREAT and GREATLY to be praised!

Thanks so much to everyone for all your prayers and support -- believing for God's best!

R.I.P. Rolfe, the Muppet

R.I.P. Rolfe, the Muppet.

Cause of death: extended chewing and tugging of extremities by Scrappy Doo.

Attempts to prolong death by stitching not successful.

He is survived by Coco The Monkey, Chicken Little and Nyla Bone.

Rolfe shall greatly be missed by those who loved him.

ST. JUDE: Return To My Future

At the beginning of November I returned to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for a "Life Study" for cancer survivors.

Back in the 80's, the research treatment undergone by patients like myself gave birth to a much higher survival rate for children with cancer today.

In the same way St. Jude is woven into my past, it will always be a part of my future, because of God's healing here and the doctors and nurses that spoke such life to me 26 years ago.

It's a magical place, and a joy to return to and experience how much things have changed and grown.

But thankfully in the midst of the changes, I was able to see some familiar faces, and meet new ones as well.

>> FACEBOOK gallery

My Beautiful Morning

Today, I celebrate the beautiful morning 7 years ago when I woke up to find myself in the back of an ambulance in Destin, FL.

The morning the CT scan uncovered the brain tumor that had been hiding out in my head for 5 years.

The morning that would once again set the stage for God to show off His mighty, mighty miraculous power in my life.

All glory to Him alone!

Limited Availability

I am coming to you live from somewhere in the southwestern United States... between Tuscon and El Paso.

Yes, I realize yet another lag in content has once again blemished my post consistency record.

But between finishing school, establishing new business contacts, searching for job leads, selling our furniture, packing to move back to Baton Rouge, taking Mom around Hollywood, and the whole actual moving process, I've been pressed for time.

I promise, it's the truth!

I greatly anticipate getting settled into a normal routine.

Define normal?

Not exactly sure, but definitely NOT this.

But, thank you Lord for being the God of the anti-routine!

Speak soon, my friends (Copyright John McCain).

"O Come"

This is our 2009 Christmas card, "O Come."

I based the design off of an image I found on iStock Photo.

My idea was to convey the message of Jesus' life, with His birth foreshadowing His death and resurrection.

Early concepts portrayed a sleeping baby with a crown of thorns swaddling him.

But that was probably not "Christmas-card-appropriate".

So I was browsing through stock photos and I found the PERFECT image, that I decided to design the card around it.

This is the final product.

Well done, Mrs. Dot.

A funeral was held this morning for a special woman who went to Heaven on Monday.

The news hit me hard, as this was the second death for me this year of a person I've admired since childhood.

I just wish I could have been there today, but since I am separated by a proverbial geographical chasm, I decided to reflect on my thoughts on Mrs. Dot here.

What else can be said about such a classy, virtuous woman? She seemed to carry the world on her back for over 50 years, graciously serving her Lord, her family, and her church.

Anyone she met, she greeted with a smile. A tender smile that shined the love of Jesus.