Loaded DOWN or Loaded UP

Happy New Year! 2014 is off and running and quite honestly I feel like I am in a horse and buggy race and I wasn't in the buggy when the race started! There is absolutely nothing like trying to participate in the race and trying to run and catch up to get in the buggy seat. If you are feeling exhausted with me already, please allow me to say thanks for feeling my pain. With all the planning that I do and organizing of events and activities I do plan for down time. Traditionally it is called a vacation but I prefer to simply call it my time! Yes I do turn the phone off, I do not answer emails, no texting either. The only thing I can say for certain is that I will take a lot of pictures. With the creation of the digital camera and the ability to just delete, I am a picture taking crazy man. With the exhausted feeling that has arrived so early in 2014 I am confident that I will need to fall back on my 'old rules of life'. One of my 'old rules of life' includes two full weeks of vacation and three weekend getaways. I have often been told that with my travel schedule, road and highway miles I am on vacation all the time because I am seeing different sights all the time. I understand that line of thinking and I appreciate all the sights I get to see. The down side is leaving to drive somewhere in the early AM and then returning just as late as your early leaving hours can really zap your energy. Not exactly my idea of a vacation. I understand the value of seeing new sights and I am well know for stopping on the side of a road for a photo. Capturing the beauty of life and then sharing that photo is a practice I enjoy. Rivers, mountain views, railroads, old houses, fences, cars, rocks, stacks of wood, road signs, courthouses, trees and statues I appreciate. Trying to run full speed to catch back up with life where it ran off and left you, is never any fun. I have heard folks say it is ok if you lag behind or need to catch up. They suggest all that is necessary is to sprint full speed, catch back back up to the group and all will be fine. In theory, the practice sounds like a plan that works. My experience has often been that when I sprint full speed ahead attempting to regain my lost ground, I find myself totally out of breathe, gasping for air, and then falling even further behind because I couldn't keep up with the pace even though I was able to regain the pace for a short time. I first shared my exhaustion by giving the example of knowing I should have been sitting in the buggy seat when the race started. If we are honest, no matter how hard we try, without a miracle, or at least the horse stopping to let me climb aboard, it is highly unlikely this situation ends good. I believe there are many moments in life where situations create an ever so gloomy outlook and the prospects of turning things around might appear to be hopeless. I have already said that I feel this way already so the only question to ask is what is the answer? The answer is just the opposite of what the common perception or tendency to believe would be. Running full speed to only exhaust yourself is not the answer. The perception that you would need to work harder, fight to get ahead has merits, but that concept alone is full of failure too. The tendency is to do whatever it takes to regain your position or status in the race. This too will leave you empty, along with exhausted and frustrated because of the lack of accomplishment in achieving your goals. The answer is to reconsider your plans. Maybe competing is not the proper way to view your goals. Maybe you should be considering the concept of perfect timing in all things. "Keeping up with the Jones Family" has never been a healthy choice. Giving yourself permission to run the race at our own pace would be a wise decision. Having participated in marathon events, my goal from my beginning preparations have always been to simply finish the race. No, God will not put more on us then we can bear. It is we that load ourselves down and not him. Until then

Joshua D Howard - Joe Harris, Citizens Making the Difference in 2013

It is always considered to be a wise decision to review and the end of a year certainly would qualify for a time to look back and consider all the events and happenings. 2013 has been a year of many events. Politically there were many moments on a national scale to talk about. For me, instead of looking back at specific events the activity I am reviewing is citizen involvement. There is no substitute for actively involved citizens! This past year in America we have seen many different groups actively engaging their members to become involved in speaking up about issues. Everything from gun control, health care, privacy issues, to religious rights. I am always amazed at the number of Christians who have opinions-yes, but involvement-no. There is no way to make a difference with just your opinion unless you are sharing your thoughts, vision and direction ideas with someone that is going to run with those opinions and attempt to make a difference by getting involved or lead the conversation. State issues also have filled the historical timeline of 2013. The biggest single issue in Kentucky has been coal. Some might believe the problem was just created in 2013, but the forefront discussion has just recently finally received the attention from elected officials that has pushed the discussion to a new level. Joshua D. Howard, an attorney who ran unsuccessfully for State Representative in the 87th District of Kentucky presented in his campaign the idea that all Coal Severance Dollars should be returned to the counties that produced the revenue to begin with. That idea was captured by others in the State Legislature in Kentucky and today there is real conversation taking place about changing the formula and returning those dollars. Another Kentucky resident, a private citizens Joe Harris created an event "Hand of Coal" that began in Bell County, and has since been repeated throughout the coal fields of not only Kentucky, but other states too. Getting involvement clearly makes a difference from just these two examples alone. Locally, cities and counties have been struggling to re-adjust budgets, dealing with deficients, and trying to collaborate with others to re-create their approach to employment issues, education and mental health conversations that include poverty, crime, and resources. The biggest creative discussion that have been taking places deal with advancing the local economy through tourism and attractions. This untapped resource remains the second greatest asset with we the people holding the number one spot. Thinking about this past year, how would you describe your spiritual life. What challenges or issues have you faced? This is another area where I am often surprised by the involvement or lack of involvement by individuals. I often hear people say they want God's help, or want a relationship but beyond that initial statement, there is no action on their part to take the next step. As I review 2013 spiritually speaking, I have experienced weddings, funerals, laughter, crying, gained new friends and accepted new roles of responsibility. Each of these has brought about new learning opportunities about what God's plan is for my life and in these mentioned experiences and others, I have also learned about his Love and how that applies to my life. One of the ways I have survived 2013 is by establishing what I believe about God. For instance: I know he loves me just as I am. I know that bitter tears are a part of the highway of forgiveness and renewal. I have been reminded that God is still in the business of opening up opportunities and that He wants to use your life experiences to help others find their way. Exposing ones-self is not what anyone wants to do, but this is a part of the spiritual process of healing that is not just a onetime experience, but this will be repeated over and over again. Growth is never easy. Change is often difficult to embrace. Looking back at this past year might be one that you'd like to forget or that you thought was awesome. Either way, 2014 has arrived and this is a new opportunity. Until then

My First Christmas in Heaven - A Tim H Mills Tradition

15 years ago in 1998 at the passing of my Grandfather Clarence Hobert Mills, a great friend of mine attempted to reach out and minister to me during his passing. He attempted to accomplish this by sending me the poem My First Christmas in Heaven. I had never seen the poem before, or heard it recited prior to this experience. The fact of its impact on my life is as such that this is year 16 for me to share it in my column as we celebrate this Christmas Season. Traditions are a very important of family activities and the loss of a family member is a big interruption to the which was easily predictable because of our loved ones presence. It is my prayer for each person that has lost a loved one in 2013 that this poem will bring the comfort I received when I read it for the very first time. I also pray that My First Christmas in Heaven will be an encouragement to you spiritually. I pray that your Christian Faith will be lifted from the burden of your loss so that you will see the love, mercy and grace that is extended by a loving Savior named Jesus Christ, who happens to also be my Lord. Heaven is a place of many unique characteristics. All pain and suffering is gone. All despair and lost hope is restored as your Christian faith becomes alive meeting the creator face to face. All your questions are immediately answered by simply walking through the gates of that City. The Bible says that we will be known as we are known. I can't imagine the reunions that take place when loved ones are reunited in a chorus of praise to Jesus Christ for his unspeakable gifts. Accept this poem this year, as a gift from Him. A gift of encouragement, a gift of love and a gift of hope and peace. Until then My First Christmas in Heaven, I see the countless Christmas Trees Around the world below, with tiny lights, like Heaven's Stars, reflecting on the snow The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear, For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring. For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing. I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, but I am not so far away, we really aren't apart. So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear and be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Listen to the words in the Songs

It is Christmas Time and there is nothing like singing carols or the songs of the season. For those of you who say "wait, I can't sing", ok please whistle your holiday joys to those you are around and passing by as you walk, traveling and move. If you are someone who says, "sorry I can't even whistle", then please hum loudly or grab a kazoo. A kazoo will be annoying but don't worry it will be tolerable since this is the Christmas Season. I love music, I love the carols and the hymns of faith that describe the anticipation of the birth of the baby Jesus into the world, and I love the songs of expression because of his birth. I can get really excited singing "Joy to the World--the Lord has come". A great hymn of faith that the long awaited answer or solution to our problems had finally arrived. If you want to do something different with that song I strongly recommend you keep the tune as it is and just replace the words with the words from Amazing Grace. The tune and words fit perfectly and you might just create a new family tradition with this rendition of song and music. Sometimes if we are not careful in the hustle of the season we can get in the habit of just singing the songs and not taking time to reflect upon the words. Each year I discover another truth that for whatever reason had passed me by previously. There are several phrases from songs that can be a very powerful tools that we can individually use to strengthen our personal walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Take for instance the phrase "His law is love and His gospel is peace". Immediately upon hearing that line I am struck by how easy it seems for Christians to get lost in what we should be about and how the world should perceive us as Christians. Being a Christian that demonstrates love can be challenging, but it should be something that is very easy to flip the switch on too. We should be described as a people of love. Imagine what would happen in our churches if we made love the staple of our work, and profession in Him. Don't just think about the impact of that type of demonstration of love in the church, but think about what would happen outside the church. This my friend is where the work remains to be completed. Think about that express his gospel is peace. Let's look at this happening just inside the church. I've witnessed those who serve as pastor and other leadership positions be asked to leave, or as we say "run off". What would happen of the gospel of peace was the rule of thumb for whatever the situation?...now we are taking a totally different attitude, reaction and response. I venture to say fewer churches would be 'splitting' and agreeing to disagree with a commitment to get His will done would totally change our churches on the inside. In Christendom we often find those depressed, or maybe I should say oppressed, but nevertheless we find Christians that are defeated, unable to smile and have lost their hope and by their actions many times their faith it appears. There is a phrase in our Christmas tunes that says because Jesus Christ came "our soul felt it worth". WOW, forgive me if the words appearing on this page appear to be preaching, but please note my words are preaching in attitude for sure! How about our souls feeling their worth? How many times in the last 39 days did you need to feel worthy? How many times in the last 45 days have you felt lost or displaced in the scheme of things. I am totally confident that individuals reading this newspaper column right now need to feel more "self-worth". We need to be reminded, inside ourselves, that the Master and Creator has a plan for our lives. There is a purpose for things and we need to work to be alert to spot this opportunity to fill up our personal energy tanks and our spirit tanks with worth! Only Jesus Christ is able to provide you, me, we, us with worth. Worth can only be given away by someone that is worthy. This Christmas I want to encourage you to read the words you are singing or to thing about the expressions you are hearing. It is more than likely possible you will pick up something that will change you all-together and completely. Until then

UK Basketball-March 28, 1992; UK Football November 29, 2002; Alabama-Auburn November 30, 2013 "Christmas can come early"

I know this is the month of December and we are just a couple weeks away from Christmas, but I must return to November 30, 2013 of this year. With all the Christmas music playing, the trees decorated, presents being wrapped for some, Christmas might have come early. When we look at history there are many who often ask the question, where would you when? This question is often referenced to events like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Where were you when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969? Most were glued to a black & white television somewhere to see the history as it was recorded. The assassination attempt on the life of President Ronald Reagan, just the numbers 9-11 cause people to reflect. These dates are important in American History and we should remember them for the significant they each represent. In this column today I am writing about sports history. I am writing about Christmas coming in November 2013. Let me share a couple dates and test your memory. Where were you on March 28, 1992? It is difficult to not provide you the answer so close to the question while writing but this is the day that the University of Kentucky Wildcats were playing in the 1992 NCAA East Regional and loss the basketball game to Duke. Christian Laettner, I am pretty sure that some in the Big Blue Nation might even think I have just typed cuss words with his name. Alex Wolf who writes for Sports Illustrated described the BBN after this loss as in “mass post-traumatic stress disorder”. I think there are many still being treated personally. For University of Kentucky Football fans how about the date November 29, 2002. This is the moment that Kentucky Football was only 2 seconds away from defeating LSU at Commonwealth Stadium and that Hail Mary pass was thrown by LSU and the rest is history. The UK fans were already posed and ready to storm the field. The Kentucky Football Coach Guy Morris had been doused with a cooler of water celebrating the perceived win, but a win for Wildcats fans it would not be. So what are you thinking when you see the date November 30, 2013? I am going to figure that sports fans are thinking already about that Alabama Auburn Football game. A field goal attempt that was returned for a touchdown, handing Alabama a defeat and Auburn the win of a lifetime against their in-state rival. I am pretty sure that for every Auburn fan in the world, Christmas came early this year! Nothing like Christmas in November! It is amazing how good we can feel when our sports teams win and how horrible we feel when a game we should have won is loss. Celebration to heartache in a matter of seconds is a roller coaster. Realizing that the time on the clock has expired and that there is not even one second left to attempt to correct an error or fix the situation can be so defeating in one’s spirit. “If only we could have”, is no doubt the expression of many in situations like these. Christmas coming early is the discovery of a surprise. The unexpected happening. A moment you didn’t anticipate and a gift that you had not planned on receiving could be ways to appropriately describe an early Christmas as it relates to presents and gifts. For Christians we see Christmas as a gift too. The whole reason that Jesus was born was so that you and I could receive the gift of eternal life, which includes forgiveness of sins. When I was growing up singing in a choir, one of my favorite songs we sang was “Love Came Down at Christmas”. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The moment of his birth had long been predicted throughout history in writing, since the beginning of time. The unique thing about Christmas is that it can come early. There is no need to wait to experience the gift of Christmas. You don’t have to wait until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. You can have Christmas any day of the year, at any hour, of any day too. Sports fans want to win every game. They want their teams to go undefeated year after year. There are some teams that certainly do have winning seasons and years that teams do go undefeated. Those who participate in sports either as players or fans know that along with winning comes losing. There is one thing for certain. Christmas can come early for you to, all you have to do is ask Jesus Christ into your heart. Until then

Why and What about America

So if I were to ask you what defines a holiday what answer would you give? How would you describe in words what or when a holiday occurs? There could be a question you might want to ask off at the beginning through a clarification by asking what holidays am I even writing about? To clear this up here are the official holidays of the United States Government: New Year’s Day; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.; President George Washington’s Birthday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving Day; and we have remaining in 2013 Christmas Day, December 25th. Each of these holidays are different. New Year’s Day is unique for the United States because the beginning of the calendar year is celebrated differently by some countries. I never have worried a great deal about this fact or thought much at all about it, except to know I am an American and for me New Year’s Day will always signify a new year. What defines the holiday for me is a big ball that drops in the City of New York. I realize that other cities also have countdown, for instance in Nashville, Tennessee they drop a big guitar. In Key West, Florida they have a big shoe that drops on the island celebrating New Year’s. For most, the iconic symbol in New York City signifies the moment each year. The Birthday of Marin Luther King, Jr., is marked by citizens marching carrying banners about freedom and equality. Politicians and most notably preachers will be giving speeches about civil rights, lessons about a period in history that is wished we could be erase, and the defining symbol is remembering the speech “I have a Dream” from the Washington Mall. Our first President, George Washington, who was inaugurated in New York City in April 30, 1789, gets a federal holiday. This moment is most easily thought of by thinking about those “wigs” yes, the men in that day were distinguished by the “wigs” they wore in moments of pomp and circumstance. Sadly this day has been over taken by the retail world and our nations salute in part is celebrated by mattress sales and other retail discounts. This should not be the case in my opinion, but it is. In this article I have just written a fact that I venture to say most American’s are not even aware of. That is, where the first inauguration was held. No it was not Washington, D.C. All the more reason to make this moment a much more celebrated historical event of importance. Memorial Day is defined by flowers, gravesides, visits to memorials honoring those who gave their life for our country and our loved ones who have passed into eternal life. This holiday is a solemn event celebrated by ceremonies and images of dignitary’s placing wreaths signify our respect for their sacrifice. Memorial Day is very personal for me because of our family’s tradition and manner in which we honor our loved ones and those that served our nation. Independence Day is maybe the easiest of all for someone to describe in words. Fireworks, fireworks, and did I mention fireworks. Labor Day is that September holiday that has lost her meaning to most American’s. For many it is a sign that summer has ended. It is last minute trips or breaks to get away that family take advantage of. The retail world also love this holiday. It is defined for some by the advertising circulars that promote the best sale of the year, outside of a ‘Black Friday’ moment. It is important to honor Labor Day and personally I think it is a great opportunity to remind Americans that how we became the nation we are is through labor. People worked. Dreamed vision, had ideas and dedicated themselves to build industry through ideas, and yes Labor in the building of America was blood, sweat, and tears. Columbus Day is now another retail holiday with the exception for those where these early historical event took place. Veterans Day has regained a national prominence in our salute to those that served and serve. Our understanding of their sacrifice has brought renewed appreciation and much deserved respect. The Thanksgiving Season is easy to identify. Not so much by the images of pilgrims anymore but more so by the thought of turkey. Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year and the shortest lived holiday by many American’s because of the over shadowing of the people’s celebration of Halloween and the other approaching holiday, Christmas The retail world floods the market place and Thanksgiving is now seen as kick-off of 27 days of sales mania. The next holiday to be celebrated is Christmas. No denying the spiritual or religious connection, although some do and will. Christmas is easily defined by symbols. The evergreen to begin with, the poinsettia plant, and yes, the manger scene with the baby Jesus in a cradle. The one things that quickly defines the season of Christmas is without a doubt music. You will hear it everywhere and for millions of American’s the music is Christmas. Our nation is unique and I love living here! The most important part of our country is not our holiday’s but rather it is our freedoms. This first week of December has begun. The final days of the year are in countdown and we should not neglect to remember why or what makes America who she is. Until then