Did you ever have one of those days when everything hit you at once, or when everything just came together so perfectly? We tend to quickly blame somebody or something, or maybe even God when it's things we don't like, but do we express thankfulness when it's things we do like? I've had a mixture of those kind of things lately. Mama Said there'd be days like this! (Ya gotta click on "Mama Said") My first tendency was to be upset about a leaky roof, a faulty air conditioning system, a major drain clog, and a leaky jeep radiator, just to name the recent, prominent things, but here is the fact at this very moment: I am living comfortably in my home with my beautiful wife, I've got clothes to wear and food to eat, the vehicle that sits out in my carport is dependable and ready for tomorrow, and God loves me!
The few brief and small rains we have had in the past months have not been heavy enough to assure me that the leaky roof is no longer a problem, and I have reason to believe that the roof still leaks. Nevertheless, I know that the story of my leaky roof is not over yet. It is still being written. But for now I am dry. Although my air conditioner is doing a very nice job now, I still owe a little more payment for the work that was done. The plumber who repaired my drain line turned out to be someone that was a pleasure to meet and I would not have met him if it had not been for the drain problem. The leaky radiator in my jeep has highlighted the excellent graciousness of one of my brother-in-laws and nephews. What a blessing to be in such a great family. This all begs to mention the Bible verse that says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Mama and Daddy both said a lot of things that I disregarded when I was young. I wish I could recall every one of those bits of wisdom. Well, Fred, Wil, Bonita and Donice, (my siblings) we still have our mama today, and I'd say that she still has a few bits of wisdom to share with us. Some of it we heard yesterday and we will hear it again tomorrow, but for now, I think I'll listen to what Mama said.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Together Again!
Today is a day to be remembered by the Brannen family - by the Louis A. Brannen family, that is. On this day, after more than 50 years, all of the original Louis A. Brannen family that are still living, have addresses in the same city. That city happens to be Cleveland, TN.
About 55 years ago we all lived in the same three bedroom, shotgun house that was the parsonage for the church that daddy pastored in New Orleans, LA. Daddy was a minister and pastored churches. We moved a lot. I used to look at moving to another place as an adventure, full of excitement and expectation with apprehension. One or two years in any one location was not uncommon, but Dad stayed in New Orleans for four years. Now, about the time we left New Orleans, my oldest brother, Fred, joined the U S Coast Guard after finishing high school in Cleveland, TN at Lee Academy. I can't remember if he joined the Guard While we were still in N.O. or if it was after we left there in 1956 when we moved to Ooltewah, TN. Ooltewah is only about 15 miles from Cleveland. Fred was was the first one of our clan to leave the "fold".
The next of the Brannen's who flew away from the "coop" was my next to the oldest sibling, Wil, who also completed his high school education at Lee Academy and joined the U S Coast Guard shortly thereafter. I'm not positive about the exact times these events took place but I do remember that we moved from Ooltewah, TN, after being there only one year, to Smithville, TN where I started high school at DeKalb County High School in 1957. I do remember for certain, that I had my own bedroom in that house.
That left two of us kids under the watchful eye of Mom and Dad - Me and my sister, Bonita. We stayed in Smithville for only one year and then we moved back to Louisiana to the city of Monroe. Monroe is the city I have often referred to as my home town. While living there, I graduated from Ouachita Parish High School, I began my ministry with the Church of God, I began my college career at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, I joined the U S Air Force, I met my first wife, Vera Gail Welch, and I met my second wife, and we are still married after 37 years. A lot of reasons to call Monroe my home, and Bonita has probably just as many and even more reasons to call Monroe her home, but she too now lives in Cleveland, TN.
The three of us boys were at one time separated from each other as far as Corpus Christi, TX, is from Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, is from Lake Charles, La, is from Corpus Christi, TX, and Bonita was in West Monroe, LA. At some point during that span of time, Mom and Dad were in Tennessee. I heard my Mom say that we were all in different states, except that Fred was in Africa. To say the least, we have been scattered.
While I was still in high school, there was another sibling added to the family, Donice. She lived with Mom and Dad mostly in Louisiana and then attended, Lee College in Cleveland, TN, where she became engulfed with Tennessee culture and made Tennessee here home. She now lives in Cleveland, TN. As a matter of fact, so does Fred, Bonita and myself. Oh, don't forget my Mom. She moved here too, after Dad passed away over eleven years ago while they were living in Athens, TN. That put us all here in Cleveland except for Wil.
Today, Wil is moving to Cleveland, TN. He is here with some of his belongings and the moving van is to be here tomorrow. It's been about 50 years but it is amazing how things turn around. Time goes on and things change. I don't know how long it will remain this way, but while it is this way, I plan to enjoy it. Who knows? It might be that the Brannen Brothers will become something of value, or it might be the Brannen Family that becomes renown. There is already a Branham Family of note here in Cleveland but if you noticed, the spelling is different. BRANNEN and BRANHAM! The Branham Family Singers are really good. What will the Brannen Family or Brannen Brothers be? Who knows. Anyway, we are all here together. Look out Cleveland, TN!
About 55 years ago we all lived in the same three bedroom, shotgun house that was the parsonage for the church that daddy pastored in New Orleans, LA. Daddy was a minister and pastored churches. We moved a lot. I used to look at moving to another place as an adventure, full of excitement and expectation with apprehension. One or two years in any one location was not uncommon, but Dad stayed in New Orleans for four years. Now, about the time we left New Orleans, my oldest brother, Fred, joined the U S Coast Guard after finishing high school in Cleveland, TN at Lee Academy. I can't remember if he joined the Guard While we were still in N.O. or if it was after we left there in 1956 when we moved to Ooltewah, TN. Ooltewah is only about 15 miles from Cleveland. Fred was was the first one of our clan to leave the "fold".
The next of the Brannen's who flew away from the "coop" was my next to the oldest sibling, Wil, who also completed his high school education at Lee Academy and joined the U S Coast Guard shortly thereafter. I'm not positive about the exact times these events took place but I do remember that we moved from Ooltewah, TN, after being there only one year, to Smithville, TN where I started high school at DeKalb County High School in 1957. I do remember for certain, that I had my own bedroom in that house.
That left two of us kids under the watchful eye of Mom and Dad - Me and my sister, Bonita. We stayed in Smithville for only one year and then we moved back to Louisiana to the city of Monroe. Monroe is the city I have often referred to as my home town. While living there, I graduated from Ouachita Parish High School, I began my ministry with the Church of God, I began my college career at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, I joined the U S Air Force, I met my first wife, Vera Gail Welch, and I met my second wife, and we are still married after 37 years. A lot of reasons to call Monroe my home, and Bonita has probably just as many and even more reasons to call Monroe her home, but she too now lives in Cleveland, TN.
The three of us boys were at one time separated from each other as far as Corpus Christi, TX, is from Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, is from Lake Charles, La, is from Corpus Christi, TX, and Bonita was in West Monroe, LA. At some point during that span of time, Mom and Dad were in Tennessee. I heard my Mom say that we were all in different states, except that Fred was in Africa. To say the least, we have been scattered.
While I was still in high school, there was another sibling added to the family, Donice. She lived with Mom and Dad mostly in Louisiana and then attended, Lee College in Cleveland, TN, where she became engulfed with Tennessee culture and made Tennessee here home. She now lives in Cleveland, TN. As a matter of fact, so does Fred, Bonita and myself. Oh, don't forget my Mom. She moved here too, after Dad passed away over eleven years ago while they were living in Athens, TN. That put us all here in Cleveland except for Wil.
Today, Wil is moving to Cleveland, TN. He is here with some of his belongings and the moving van is to be here tomorrow. It's been about 50 years but it is amazing how things turn around. Time goes on and things change. I don't know how long it will remain this way, but while it is this way, I plan to enjoy it. Who knows? It might be that the Brannen Brothers will become something of value, or it might be the Brannen Family that becomes renown. There is already a Branham Family of note here in Cleveland but if you noticed, the spelling is different. BRANNEN and BRANHAM! The Branham Family Singers are really good. What will the Brannen Family or Brannen Brothers be? Who knows. Anyway, we are all here together. Look out Cleveland, TN!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Am I Getting Old?
Yesterday, Friday, proved to be a day that demands my consideration of the aging of my, and my wife's, mind and body! We thought we would go to Captain D's for a break from the routine of our daily evenings and, for Janis, a break from the kitchen. We ordered our meal, selected our table and waited a few minuets for our ticket number to be called. Everything was going as it should, except for the fact that I had ordered two sides that was not the best combination, but it would do. I wouldn't change it. I hate to do things like that. Still all was well. We were enjoying the evening together.
Somehow, Janis made a move that resulted in her cup of water spilling right into her lap. Oh my goodness!! Water all over her lap, the booth seat, and the floor. I helped her clean it up enough so that she could still eat, while sitting in the wet seat. We continued with our meal and were ready to leave. I thought she would be embarrassed with the front of her jeans being all wet, but the dark blue color of the jeans was a blessing because it really didn't show up too obviously. So, with the tray of our dishes in my hands, we proceeded to leave. As I turned around to leave the table, from somewhere, out of nowhere, appeared this half wall divider, right behind our booth and the tray in my hands found it. Suddenly the cups with water and maybe a few of the other items like napkins etc., found their way over the wall onto the next table. Oh no!! Not again. This time I was the one to be embarrassed. I quickly got some paper towels and began cleaning up the mess while apologizing to the occupants in the booth. Oh, thank goodness for large tables. It did not splash on them and they were quite understanding.
Well, that makes me wonder if we are getting older or what. I've noticed a few other minor fumbles that I've made lately, but wait a minuet! Hasn't that always been the way it was? As far back as I can remember, I have made mistakes. When I was younger I made mistakes, but it seems that people were not quite as understanding. And, yes, most of the time I probably could have avoided them. Now, when I make a mistake, my age seems to get me off the hook. That's good. I should have some benefit for living this long. I expect the benefits to increase as my age advances. Hopefully, one day Janis and I can do whatever we want to, right or wrong, and no one will be upset about it. Do you think that day will ever come? Hahahaha! LOL
I am glad that God is a merciful God. If God was not merciful, I would be totally lost, without hope, but God is merciful. Not only does He forgive me of my mistakes, and my out-right wrong doings, but He also blesses me with many, many good things. One day I will be changed into the image of Christ. Then I will make no more mistakes. (1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.)
Well, enough of that. Just go to my website and buy something or visit my church page and see if there is anything there that might help you appreciate God a little more.
Somehow, Janis made a move that resulted in her cup of water spilling right into her lap. Oh my goodness!! Water all over her lap, the booth seat, and the floor. I helped her clean it up enough so that she could still eat, while sitting in the wet seat. We continued with our meal and were ready to leave. I thought she would be embarrassed with the front of her jeans being all wet, but the dark blue color of the jeans was a blessing because it really didn't show up too obviously. So, with the tray of our dishes in my hands, we proceeded to leave. As I turned around to leave the table, from somewhere, out of nowhere, appeared this half wall divider, right behind our booth and the tray in my hands found it. Suddenly the cups with water and maybe a few of the other items like napkins etc., found their way over the wall onto the next table. Oh no!! Not again. This time I was the one to be embarrassed. I quickly got some paper towels and began cleaning up the mess while apologizing to the occupants in the booth. Oh, thank goodness for large tables. It did not splash on them and they were quite understanding.
Well, that makes me wonder if we are getting older or what. I've noticed a few other minor fumbles that I've made lately, but wait a minuet! Hasn't that always been the way it was? As far back as I can remember, I have made mistakes. When I was younger I made mistakes, but it seems that people were not quite as understanding. And, yes, most of the time I probably could have avoided them. Now, when I make a mistake, my age seems to get me off the hook. That's good. I should have some benefit for living this long. I expect the benefits to increase as my age advances. Hopefully, one day Janis and I can do whatever we want to, right or wrong, and no one will be upset about it. Do you think that day will ever come? Hahahaha! LOL
I am glad that God is a merciful God. If God was not merciful, I would be totally lost, without hope, but God is merciful. Not only does He forgive me of my mistakes, and my out-right wrong doings, but He also blesses me with many, many good things. One day I will be changed into the image of Christ. Then I will make no more mistakes. (1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.)
Well, enough of that. Just go to my website and buy something or visit my church page and see if there is anything there that might help you appreciate God a little more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
