Like A Grain of Mustard Seed

Mark4:30-32  "...Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God?.....It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:  But when it is sown it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches;....."
     We often speak of these verses as "faith" verses, but if you noticed, it doesn't say, "Faith is like a grain of mustard seed....."  Yet, I believe these verses do tell us much about faith.
Faith is not here referred to in quantity but it is referred to in quality.  These verses do not say that faith is a grain of mustard seed, nor does it say that the Kingdom of Heaven is a grain of mustard seed.  It says, "...It is LIKE a grain of mustard seed....."  So, what is meant by "LIKE"?  LOOKS like?  No!  Of course not.  Rather, it ACTS like a grain of mustard seed.
     If you take a grain of mustard seed and lay it on the table, you may watch it all day long and it will not do anything.  It is dead, or dormant!  But if you take that dead seed and put it into soil, water it, and tend it carefully, it will come to life and spring up into a great plant and be productive.  That's just like faith.  You may have a table top full of faith but it is dead.  James 2:26 says, "...Faith without works is dead also."  So, faith must be put to work.  It's not how many seeds of faith you have, but it's the quality of the seed that will make a difference.  Faith can be dormant or it can be active.
     I think we can say that faith works like this:  First the seed (faith) is planted into the ground.  Don't worry about what it looks like now.  It must complete it's dormant state of existence.  Then water by prayer and positive confession.  That's not Positive Mental Attitude statements, rather Positive Word of God statements.  Finally, wait!  This may be the hardest part - Waiting.  Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary and they shall walk, and not faint."  Wait patiently and expectantly.  Then comes the harvest!
     Don't be concerned that you have a little faith or a lot of faith but see to it that you have active faith - faith like a grain of mustard seed!

Retirement

What is retirement?  Wikipedia says, “Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely.  A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.  Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to work any more (by illness or accident) or as a result of legislation concerning their position…..”

Now that just doesn’t fit my erroneous ideas of retirement!  Does it fit yours?  Isn’t retirement supposed to be a time of happy celebration, fishing on the bank under the shade tree, hammocks, Ice tea or lemon aide, birds chirping in the trees, etc?  I want to do what ever I want to do and I want everybody to cooperate with everything I want to do.  I don’t want to pay anymore bills.  I don’t want to receive anymore aggravating telephone sales pitches nor do I want my mailbox to be cluttered up with a lot of useless paper sales pitches that I have to put in the trash and then have take out the trash!  Just give me a life of ease and let me close my eyes and float off into the wild blue yonder! 

HaHa, HaHa, HaHa, Ha!!!  WOW!  Let me pull my mind back together and get real.  Look at Wikipedia’s definition again – “…the point where a person stops employment completely.”  If by ‘employment’ they mean ‘work’, then I am not retired. 

My wife Janis, ‘retired’ from teaching yesterday, Friday, May 25, 2012.  We are excited.  It was posted on facebook and many friends congratulated her.  My mother took Janis and I out to dinner to celebrate the event.  I thought about buying her some flowers to help celebrate, but wouldn’t you know, I didn’t ever get a ‘round-tuit’.  Sounds like something big, doesn’t it?  Well, the truth of the matter is this:  I don’t do any fishing or sleeping in the hammocks, I do not get to have my own way about very many things and I still get those aggravating phone sales calls.  Based on my experience, I’d say that Janis will not stop working.  After all, she’s a workaholic anyway. 

I do not have any intentions of taking advantage of her (as if I could) and putting her to work on fulfilling all my wishes, BUT, I’m getting a little worried.  You see, I’ve been ‘retired’ for about five years now and while she has been faithfully going off to work everyday, I’ve been a little on the lazy side, calling it ‘retirement’, but now, she will be home!  I will be giving up my laziness and taking on a new job every day.  As a matter of fact, I've got to hurry and get off this computer before she catches me playing around again. 

Yes, Janis has retired, and I am retired.  Life will be changing.  I just hope I am able to cope with all the changes.

One More Time!

OK, OK, So I don’t understand it all and I may know less about how to explain it to you, but here’s what I think:  By using Windows Live Writer, you can type your blog once, and post it to different blog sites.  However, you must have the different blog accounts.  Also, you type your blog in Windows Live Writer, post it in any one of your blog accounts, exit out of WLW and open it again and paste the blog (hopefully you knew to save it) to the new blog account.  There’s something I’m missing here, but you adventurous souls will have fun figuring it out, just like I did.  Oh, yes!  I wanted to try out some of these extras!  Like, larger print, italics, strike thru, and adding a link.  Enough!

How Many Blogs Will Get This?

I have put my last blog on two different blog sites – one located at labrannen.blogspot.com, and the other at labrannen42.wordpress.com.  I created one here on Windows Live Writer and then had to copy it and paste it for the second one.  Bothe time here on Windows Live Writer.  What I want to find out with this blog is, will this blog be posted on both blog sites with this one posting?  Don’t know if I’ve made that clear or not but hopefully I’ll be able to give a better explanation of what I’m trying to do and say.  Again, we’ll see.  And maybe I’ll let you know.

Just Trying Out Windows Live Writer

Sometimes we have stuff on our computer that we are not aware of.  Sometimes this is good and sometimes this is not so good.  I was just curiously browsing my stuff and clicked on my Windows Live folder and saw Windows Writer.  I clicked on it and followed through with what seemed like a good thing and so here I am now.  I think this will let me blog from here (wherever I am) and then my other blog/s will be notified.  So, this is an attempt to just see what happens.  I think it will be good.  We’ll see.  And if I remember, and feel that I have the time and knowledge to do so, I’ll post another blog letting you know how it all panned out.

Concerning Muslims and Their Islamic Faith

This is not intended to address the Islamic Faith, so much as it is to address a thought of mine about Muslims.  My knowledge of Islam is limited and can only be expanded by the books that are available on the market.  I have been enlightened by the videos and emails that have been circulating on the web and on Christian TV.  Some very knowledgeable ministers have shown the errors of the Islamic faith and the evil agenda of the extreme Islamic radicals.  I believe, and I certainly hope, that there are some Muslims who do not follow the extreme agenda that others do.  I will say right up front that I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.  His blood sacrifice has provided the way for us to obtain peace with God, through faith in His blood.  Acts 4:12  "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved."


If I really believe that, then I believe that the Muslim religion is wrong.  That does not mean that I have to hate a person because he is a Muslim.  I would dare to say that the Muslim people probably have similar feelings about their religion.  They have a right to feel that they are right and I am wrong.  This is America!  The United States of America.  That is one of our guaranteed rights - to believe about God as we choose.  Freedom of Religion!


Christianity is a wide spread religion with many variations by many people.  These variations sometimes are so huge that people of another faith, maybe Muslims, do not even recognize the two as being Christian, or maybe they would not take the time to investigate the differences and would just class them all the same.  I'm beginning to see Islam similar to that.  It is a wide spread religion and I suppose that there are many segments of Islam that do not agree on all things that they teach and/or practice.  I don't think that we need to class them all together but they are still all Muslims.  They are proud to be Muslim and I am proud that I am a Christian.  I am embarrassed and ashamed of some so-called Christians and am not the least bit pleased with some Muslims.


Can I tell you what I believe with out you getting mad at me?  I believe all true Christians will go to heaven.  All others, whether they are called Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Atheist or whatever, If they do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, will not go to heaven.  That is what I believe.


Now, I'm not going to take up sticks and stones, nor any other material weapon, and launch an attack against those who do not believe what I believe, unlike some "religious" people.  However, I have a guaranteed right in the Constitution of the United States of America to Freedom of Speech.  I will attempt at times, to convince other people that Jesus is the one and only way to heaven.  If the Holy Spirit doesn't get involved in opening the blinded eyes of those who do not believe in Jesus, then I will be wasting my time trying to convince them.  I will then focus my attempts on others.  I will not try to slander or destroy those who reject my testimony.


I hope this is understood as it is intended.  I'm just taking a stand and making my view known publicly.

So You Can't Have Peanut Butter?

Why would anyone be told that you can't have peanut butter?  Well, if you were told that you can't  have peanuts, that does it.  Everyone knows that peanut butter is made out of peanuts.  How sad!  Peanut butter is supposed to be so good for you and besides it makes a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  We haven't even mentioned the Reese's peanut butter cups, peanut butter fudge, peanut butter cookies, and of course, peanut butter covered pancakes (If you haven't tried that, you're really missing out).  Sadly, it is true, some people have been told that they can't have peanut butter.
I don't know all the reasons why some people cannot have peanut butter, but I do know one reason it is bad for some folks.  If you have a bad liver, some doctors will tell you that you should not eat peanut butter.  What ever the reason may be, I have found a solution.  Hooray!  My first discovery was that other nuts that make butter is a very good substitute.  For example, Almond Butter.  I've found it at Walmart, Bi-Lo, and of course the health food store.  But, be ready to pay noticeably more.  Not as much as medicine but a lot for 'peanut butter'.
The next discovery I made was "nutella".  Have you ever heard of it?  Yes, it's on the shelf near the peanut butter also.  Nutella is a Hazelnut spread with skim milk and cocoa.  Believe me.  This is good stuff.  It too is more expensive but it may be worth it if you can't have peanut butter and wish you could.
Now, there is one more substitute that I have found to be excellent, maybe the best yet.  I just found this at Bi-Lo about a week ago.  It's called "Soy Wonder", a creamy soybutter.  Don't let the "soy" scare you.  I'm willing to try things.  Sometimes I loose and sometimes I win.  I believe I have won with this one.  I'm telling you, this is good.  Ummmm-ummmmm good.  Of course it is peanut free.
Three peanut butter substitutes.  All priced about two dollars more (depending on the size).  All good.  So, do not be distraught, you peanut-butter-loving friends.  There is more than one way to satisfy that peanut-butter-loving taste bud.  Almond butter, Nutella, and Soybutter.

It May Be Time For Another Change

You might as well expect it and get ready for it.  Change, that is.  It will happen.  We try to make life simple and easy, yet enjoyable and meaningful.  Sacrifices are made so that we can have the greater benefits tomorrow, or next week, next month or next year, but, as you might already know, things change.  So, in our attempt to accept change, we may decide that we really don't want, nor need the so called benefits that we have been working for.  It seems then, that we have wasted our time and energy, and if we can't accept the change and go with the flow, so to speak, we will likely become frustrated with life in general.

I know that we must put forth or best effort, and when things don't seem to work out properly we must try and try again, and possess a determined spirit.  But, like it or not, sometimes our efforts are only driving us further away from our goal.  Then it's time to accept change and take a new course of action.

I have found that I have been able to adjust to change fairly well.  That doesn't mean that I like change, it just means that I can go with the flow, so to speak, and make life enjoyable to some degree of acceptability.  For example:  When I joined the Air Force, life changed drastically for four years.  When I completed my tour of duty and returned to civilian life, my life changed again.  When I got married, my life changed to never be the same again.  When I lost my wife in an automobile accident, change forced it's way in upon my life.  Then I remarried and started a new journey.  Children came; life changed.  My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer; change.  I was diagnosed with Hepatitis-C; change.  Over and over again, changes come.  We must face it.  Change will come.

All of these changes were happening while I was trying to become a minister of the Gospel.   I had accepted the call to the ministry while still in High School and had set my sails for that 'beautiful isle of somewhere', or at least I had 'visions of sugar-plums dancing in my head'.  Had I not accepted the changes and learned to live with those that I had no power over, I would have most likely been misdirected early in life and probably would have never been ordained to the ministry by any church synod.

Now, I am retired.  WOW!  What a change.  I'm still adjusting to changes.  Doesn't it ever stop?  Yet, there is one more change that I am anticipating.  It is the change from this mortal body to an immortal one, from this corruptible body to an incorruptible one.  I shall be changed, and I will go with the flow, so to speak.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Merry Christmas!

We made it through the Thanksgiving season with rather traditional activities; turkey & dressing, family, special gatherings both at church and home. I think it is sad that we get so excited because of the tinsel and holly surrounding the Christmas season, the gift giving and receiving, Santa, and jingle bells, but do comparably so little when it comes to giving thanks for the many blessings we possess. 

I know that if it wasn't for the Christmas reason for celebrating this season, we really wouldn't have much, of lasting value, to be thankful for. I do love the Christmas season. The Christmas carols, the Christmas plays, the family get-to-gathers, and yes the overeating, are things that I enjoy. As I get older, I find some of the values of these things seem to change, but it is still a great and enjoyable season. 

I'ts important that we understand the reason for the season. Without beating around the bush, I'll tell you that the reason for the season is Jesus, The Christ, The Son of God. We celebrate His birth on December 25th. and that is the reason for the season. Somehow Santa Clause & the reigndeer, elves, trees, lights, trimmings, the snowman, etc., entered into the celebration. To some, that takes away from their idea of a joyous Christmas. To some it seems to add to the celebration. There are some people who do not believe in Santa or Jesus and the whole season is an annoyance to them. I say, every man has the priviledge to choose for himself, but I do hope each and everyone of you will know the joy of the season like I have found it to be with Jesus. I've made my choice: "As for me and my house", we believe that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Just to let you know that I'm still alive!

Looks like my last post was on March 12, 2011, so I may have lost any followers that I had. Well, that’s what happens if you don’t take care of business. This post has no particular theme or topic. It’s just here to let you know that I’m alive and well, and to try to keep this blog up with some life. What would you like to hear about? I’m sure you can find it somewhere on the internet, so why do we post blogs. We do it to give our opinion. We want to be heard. sometimes I actually have something to tell and when I do, I want you to hear it. If I try to speak in a crowded and noisy room, I’ll not be heard, but if I blog, and you read my blog, I will probably have your attention and what I say will be better heard. Too bad I don’t have some real important stuff to tell you, but that’s just the way it is. Really, do you think all those blogs out there have important stuff? Yeah, I guess some of them do, but many do not. Neither does this on have important stuff, so, here it is anyway. You can do with it what you like. Maybe next time I’ll have something to say.

The Final Destination

As I get older, it seems that time passes faster and faster.  It's been almost three months since I last posted a blog on this web site but it seems like it's been much less time than that.  Isn't that the way it is with life?  We wake up on Monday morning and go to bed on Friday night and then we start all over again.  Sometimes it happens so fast that it seems that time overlaps itself and we go to bed on Monday night and wake up on Monday morning.  I guess that's just one of the symptoms of getting older. 
I'm finally realizing that the fast train is moving on, with or without me, so I don't have time to worry about the small stuff.  Some things that used to seem so important to me no longer have that same appeal that they once had.  I think I've learned that all those non-essential, yet enjoyable, things are only there to distract us from the more important, and sometimes undesireable chores.  I think of that song that says, "I can see clearly now.  The rain is gone.  I can see all obstacles in my way."  When I was young I didn't realize that those non-essential, yet enjoyable, things were nothing more than obstacles that would keep me from obtaining a more important benefit - a peaceful life.  I'm not talking about a momentary life, but an eternal life.  Oh, I've had peaceful moments, but they were always interrupted by some non-essential thing that I had placed a lot of value in.  Now, the nearer I get to my final destination, the clearer I can see what is ahead of me.  I don't see all the "things" around me as clearly as I used to, but my destination is getting nearer and clearer every day. 
When I see the younger generation so caught up in the activities of their day, I remember that I used to be a lot like that.  I've even wondered how I did it.  The time does come when we look forward to, with mounting anticipation, the end of the journey.  If I could, I would tell this younger generation to stop worrying about keeping up with their peers, and dare to be different and follow the voice (of God) within.  I don't know how much longer this train ride will continue, but I'm beginning to focus in more and more on the final reward.  It's looking good people.  I'm getting excited.

What will I get Janis for Christmas?

I don't know what my wife wants me to get her for Christmas!  That's the way it is every year.  I know some things that we need but that would not do as a personal gift from me to her.  Even if it was something that she really needed, that still is not what I'm looking for.  I want to get her something that she wants.  You know!  Something like a toy would be for a child.  She's too practical and conservative to buy something frivolous, just for fun.  Oh well!  I guess I'll have to do what I've done so many times before and think of some unique way to surprise her with cash!  Then she can go to the store and buy what she wants to, which will probably be clothes.  I'm glad that I can do that much anyway, and I know that she will be glad to get the cash.

Speaking of Christmas gifts, let me tell you what I already bought myself for Christmas.  It's a Fender, FM-52E SB, Mandolin.  Yep, a mandolin.  No, I don't know how to play it, but I will learn.  I may not learn to play it like Sierra Hull, but I'll learn to play it.  I found it on craigslist for $100.00.  There's not a scratch on it.  I only had to put two strings on it.  I found others just like it on sale elsewhere for $239.00 (MSRP $339.00).  

Well, I'm happy and Janis is happy for me.  Isn't it great to be blessed and able to enjoy the fun things of life.  I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

Visit me at www.janwell.com.

God Is Not Through With Me Yet!

I don't know what God has in store for me.  I am retired, but I hear God saying, "I'm not through with you yet."  I was raised in the parsonage, made a sincere profession of faith while very young, and accepted the call to the ministry while still in High School.  I was active in some form of ministry (counting the years that I prepared for ministry) from High School (graduated in 1961), to my last church (2006), except for about six years.  Let's see.....that's about 45 yrs., minus six, equals about 39 yrs.  Of that, about 33 yrs. was spent in pastoral ministry, four yrs. at Lee University (full time), and maybe 1 1/2 yrs. attempting to preach revivals.  I wanted to be an evangelist, but it became obvious, that my calling was not evangelistic.  My calling was to serve the church as pastor.  I did that, and resigned as pastor of the church in 2006.  I retired in 2007, underwent a medical setback for about two years, was called to serve as associate pastor in 2008 and here I am today.  I am serving as an associate pastor, and have as much to do in that position as I desire, but I'm wondering if that is what God wants me to do for the rest of my active years, or does he have something else in mind.  Yes, that could 'fill the bill' when I say that God says that He isn't through with me yet, but I think it involves more.  I presently have one forceful, driving desire - to play my trumpet.  My interest in music has revived and I have written a few new songs and poems, I have developed a new feeling for the piano, and I have shown improvement in other areas of music.  Could it be that God would have me to be active for him, at my age, using my musical abilities?  I'm not a professional musician by any means, but I do enjoy it, and I do use it in ministry from time to time.  I'm 68 yrs. old.  My mother is 89 and she is still living by herself and taking care of her self.  If that is any indication of my life expectancy, then I may have at least 20, or 21 more yrs. to live.  A lot can be done in 20 yrs.  I still seek to know God's will, and to follow Him.  I want to follow Him closely wherever He leads.  I want the remaining yrs. of my life be more effective in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, than any of the previous years of my life. 

Since this blog is a re-post of a blog I posted about 1 1/2 yrs. ago on another website, I have received a few comments on it.  I want to share one of those now.  "I like your spirit of perserverance! Don't overlook the fact that you have a worldwide ministry over the Internet already. I see you on all these sites. You have a gift of encouragement, among many others. With your openness and humility there's no telling what God has ahead. It will be great." -- Dr. Bill 

You know, I have had a growing interest in different aspects of the internet.  Hummmmm!  Maybe there is something there for me.  By the way!  Check out Janwell.com.

What's Right With This World!

In my last blog I said that selfishness was the problem with this world.  I have not changed my mind, but that could be expanded to include the more or less identifiable symptom called greed.  However, I want to change the direction of our thoughts here so that we might see something that is right with this world.

We have just experienced the joy of Thanksgiving.  What a wonderful time of the year.  Now, I don't claim to be a philosopher nor even a teacher, so don't be disappointed if all I'm saying amounts to no more than just revving my engine, but I must yelp about the great time of Thanksgiving that we have just enjoyed at my sister's house here in Cleveland, TN.  We had relatives from Florida, Alabama and Texas and we got to met some new friends from Wears Valley, Tennessee.  The rest of us were from 'close by' Cleveland, TN.  There were about 40 of us.  Some were young and some were old, some were small and some were large, some were of modest means and some were fairing well, some were fit as a fiddle and some were more like Momma's old, antiquated, Stradivarius (copy) Violin, but we all had one common characteristic; we were all happy.  At least everyone seemed happy to me.  We've all experienced sadness and disappointment from time to time, but the good news is that we can got over it.  We didn't have to continue in a sad, despondent, gloomy mood. What fun!  Laughing, singing, reminiscing, and of course eating.

What does this world have to do with that?  Well, this world is the creation of God.  It is a display of His splendor and majesty.  He has created such a beautiful world that even the beauty of it has healing qualities.  There are marvelous healing qualities in the trees and the fruit of the land.  The clean air we breath is a gift from The Creator.  If we only use the "stuff" of this world properly, we would find that everything we need is provided for us by such a caring God, then perhaps, we would know more how to enjoy the good things that this world provides for us because of His care.  We have morning, day time, and night.  We have summer, fall, winter, and spring.  What wonderful mountains and valleys, oceans and springs of fresh, bubbling water.  This world operates according to the laws of nature that God has designed.  And, I could rev my engine more but I believe I'll just let it idle for a while.  There is something right about this world, and I thank God for it.

I do hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  If you want someone to say a prayer for you, just click on 'Prayer Request' and let me know.  I'll be glad to pray for you.

What's Wrong With This World?

Do you ever feel like this is a crazy world?  What's wrong with it?  Here's a simple and short answer:  It's full of people!  That's right - People!  People are what's wrong with this world.  So, the question should be, "What's wrong with people?"  Do you ever feel like, if people would only listen to what you had to say, this world would be a better place?  Well, I'm going to be truthful with you......I have felt like that a time or two!  But, you know, I've found out that all people are not always going to listen to what I have to say, and even if they did, they would not all do as I say.  You're not surprised by that are you?  Well, the same thing holds true for you too. 

Everybody has their own idea or opinion.  How can we come together on common grounds, so that we can get along with one another and live and let live?  I know that it's a good possibility that somebody is already saying, "I don't believe that 'live and let live' is the right approach to life.  Instead we should require of everybody their own responsibilities and if necessary, punish them if they do not pay up."  Okay.  I don't expect everybody to agree with what I'm saying right here, right now, but, I'm going to tell you what I think is wrong with people anyway.  Are you ready?  Here it is: It's selfishness!  Greed, envy, jealousy, pride and all the other selfish adjectives can pretty well describe what's wrong with the people of this world, and since the people of this world is what's wrong with this world, then the answer to the first question is selfishness. 

I really didn't intend for this blog to sound like I'm preaching at anyone but if it does, so be it.  I might as well invite you to read these scriptures that are taken from the Holy Bible, the Contemporary English Version:

Jude 1:16-19  ...People grumble and complain and live by their own selfish desires. They brag about themselves and flatter others to get what they want.  My dear friends, remember the warning you were given by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  They told you that near the end of time, selfish and godless people would start making fun of God.  And now these people are already making you turn against each other. They think only about this life.....

2 Peter 3:3  ...First you must realize that in the last days some people won't think about anything except their own selfish desires.....

James 3:16  Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things.

Galatians 5:19-21  People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds.  They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom.

1Corinthians 13:3-8  What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.  Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do.  Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.  Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.  Love never fails!

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

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.  

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!

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.

Virtual Piano

I installed this link on my website some time ago but I had never really checked it out.  I had played the keys and thought, "How neat!" but there was so much that I had missed out on because I didn't know it was available, until I finally stopped and really checked it out.  If you like music, you should check it out.  Just go to http://www.janwell.com/miscellaneous.htm and then scroll down to "Play The Keyboard" and there it is - Buttonbeats.com's virtual keyboard.  Really check it out.  Click on the various buttons and you may be surprised.  I sure was.  Like I said, "It's really neat."

While you are on my website, check out The Store, and the L & J Specialties Link, The CafePress Shop, The Church Page, and more.  Then, if you will, sign my Guestbook and let me know that you were there.

Too Much Internet!

Wait a minute!  Hold on here!  Stoooooooppp!  Yeah, that's the way I feel sometimes when it comes to this internet business.  I mean, sometimes it just seems like it is alive and furious - a beast trying to wrap it's fangs around me to suck the wind of life out of me.  Whew!  That's when I just have to set back and "let it be" for a while.  There was a time when I had so many applications going - you know, like My Space, Twitter, My Church, Yuwie, Zen Zuu, Sogocity, My Lot, Classmates, Cozi and more - that I just couldn't keep up with them all and would find myself spending all my time just checking applications and not really enjoying them.

Today, I am aware of the fact that I am trying out toooo many websites.  I mean web hosts for my own website.  There are several sites that will host your websit and will give you a free website for starters.  Some are free for only a short period of time and then you must begin paying either monthly or yearly charges, and some are with limited capability but remains free until you upgrade to a more professional mode of their hosting.  I've tried several to some extent.  I'll not mention all those sites and my experience with them here, but I'll say that the host of my website at http://www.janwell.com is freewebs.com.  The most dissapointing thing that I have found out about it is that I can only post five items in my store until I upgrade.  Of course an upgrade costs money.  I did upgrade enough to have my own domain name but I really need to post more items for sale in my store.  There is another host that will allow me to post many more items for sale (for free) but it has other disadvantages. Soooooooooo!

I must make up my mind.  Which host will I sink more money into?  Right now, I'm not sure.  Just check out my website that I am working with right now at http://www.janwell.com and see what you think.  Now, remember, I'm not a computer geek, nor a webtech.  That means my websites may appear somewhat undesirable or unprofessional but give me time.  In the mean-time check out my website and let me know what you think.  Go to my guestbook and tell me what I need to do to improve it.

One final word:  Don't let the internet beast make a slave out of you!!