Ephesians 4:14

Pastor Ken asked me to remind you of our theme for this year -- Ephesians 4:14

Stop and think about this year 2008 and what a difference it will make in the rest of your life and the rest of history.

Life is full of 4’s… Four Seasons – Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter; Four Part of a Day – Morning, Noon, Evening, Night; Four Quarters in Sports – 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th; and Life – Childhood, Youth, Adult and Senior Adult. Each brings it’s special gifts and challenges.

Life is all about 1– One God who created everything … One Lord who is Savior of all who will believe … One Faith, One Baptism, One Church which is His body and One Life to decide eternity!

Life is short but Eternity is 4-ever! Let us grow up!

Pray for Revival.

Beat the Heat! Help!!!

Texas can be a difficult place in the summer for a black cat!!! Help me out Wise people with some suggestions for keeping cool in Decatur ...

Get in the Game!!!!

Meowzers! Summer is here and it's time for some real fun. I walked past Candy's office and what a mess ... paper cuttings everywhere ... all kinds of pineapples ... sports equipment ... fun things ... and IPOD NANOs! Meowzers! "What's up Candy!" "Hey Deacon ... it's time for VBS!" "What is VBS?" I asked her. "Well, every summer we have a week of fun for kids preK - 6th grade. This year is Sports Camp at the Beach." "Beach, as in water, psssss, I don't really like water!?!" "Oh, don't worry Deacon," she says to me, "there will be volleyball and baseball and softball and football and cheers and drama. AND your favorite, food!" "How about mice catching?" I asked. "We will see what we can do!" Candy told me. "Now I gotta go get everything decorated. See you later Deacon."

Well it has been busy around here this week and things are really heating up. So to all you kids out there. Go over to the website and sign up now for VBS Sports Camp. It starts Sunday. See you there.

BTW Cali ... did you get rid of all those pups???

Con-Grads-u-lations!

I was walking down the hall and ran into Ron who was getting everything ready for Sunday. "Wazup? Ron" I said. "Hey, Deacon," he replied, "We have 20 students graduating from High School." "Whoa! Meowzers!!! That is great!"

So I wanted to say a big congrads to those who have worked so hard, studied so long and are now getting their reward! Way to Go! I know that Pastor and Tommy are always telling me how important it is to study the word. So just because you are graduating doesn't mean you can stop studying.

KEEP STUDYING THE WORD! It will keep you alive on the inside.

See ya. Gotta chase a mouse ....

What is a Deacon?

Well OK! That can certainly be answered in two ways. Noah Nabster, one of my great uncles, was named for his genius in catching just about anything. Kids -- while he was the best at catching rats, snakes and other rodents, his specialty was catching important knowledge. Some of you may think "Deacon" only means a handsome, black cat that serves around the church and writes this blog. OH, nay, nay. There is more to the name than just that.

One day my uncle sat me down and told me all about the real meaning of my name. It comes from an ancient language and means, "one who kicks up dust as he runs to help others." Pretty sweet, huh! A "Deacon" is someone who doesn't mind getting a little dusty, in a little hurry, to help someone in need.

In the Good Book, Mr. T was tellin' me that there is a book of Action called "ACTS" and it tells how followers of God in the first church needed some special "deacons" to help out so they chose out 7 and gave them this special job. Pretty Neat. I guess that's what all the talk this week. This First Church has chosen three, Doc Jeff, John and Chip to have this special job of serving and helping people.

I can't wait for Sunday Night! There's gonna be food too! See Ya There!

Goin' once, Goin' twice, Almost All Gone!!!

Thanks to all of you cool cats out there who decided to help us out! Remember a few weeks ago with our good friend Cali the cat who rules the Bearden's home gave a big call for help in getting rid of 13, yep 13 labradoodle pups that were born to the dog that resides in her house. Well, you have responded with great enthusiasm and adopted 8 of them. Just 5 more to go. So keep up the good work.

Here are some pics:

Tribute to Moms

Today in Worship the video was great! Moms warn us about so many things!
Check out this YouTube Video, William Tell Mom Sayings:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXT6Hs113ZA

Whew! Moms are Great!

Hey kids -- Tell me about your mom. What do you like best about her? What does your mom tell you? Does she have any funny sayings? Send me your story in a comment or email!

Storms and Poems

Resting on this stormy day in my plush home next to Papa T's Office, I decided to scratch out a few lines of cat-wisdom. Did you know? According to Brewer's Dictionary Of Phrase & Fable, a cat is said to have nine lives because it is "more tenacious of life than many animals." That's right -- learn from the cat -- LOVE GOD and LOVE LIFE!

So here's my poem to ponder on a partly cloudy and rainy Tuesday:

9 lives

If I could live nine lives for God
upon this planets’ earthen sod;
I’d spend the first in search of Love,
the finest treasure from above.

Then Joy would be my next celebration,
on this feline ambulation;
And Peace the third of life’s release,
that conflicts of family, church and nations cease.

Now Patience sure be a difficult task,
to drink from life’s over-active flask;
Kindness would be my daily gift,
to Faithfully serve others their lives to lift.

And then to learn to always be Good,
as even a furry, black cat should;
true Gentleness my constant companion,
Oh self-control! to never abandon.

Nine lives to live! Nine gifts to give!
Always for God, upon this sod.

*Look up Galatians 5:22 and LOVE LIFE!!!

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

MEOWZERS! Do I ever have a case of the Monday Blues, and to top it off it is raining outside. I guess my outdoor adventures will have to be put off until tomorrow.

Do you ever get a case of the blues? Some things that make me feel blue are rainy days, loud mowers outside on Fridays, diet cat food, and big, hairy, barkin' dogs.

What kind of things make you feel blue?

Next time you have a case of the Monday blues, remember Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God."

... I think I will stay right here in my house until the rain stops.

P.S. Speaking of dogs, did you realize that DOG spelled backwards is GOD?!

Tuesday Shout Out to Kindness

...It's hard to get into a church if you look a little different. I'm short, four-legged, dark complexion and a little bit furry. Not exactly what every "church" is lookin' for -- soooo, you can imagine how difficult it is to get in ... feel comfortable ... and fit in when your not like everyone else ...

... BUT ON TUESDAY MORNING ... MEOWZERS!!! About 9am a dozen of the sweetest, nicest, carin'est ladies show up and THEY WELCOME ME IN. It makes me feel special. I am wanted. I am welcomed. I B-Long! Everyone should feel this way.

So here is my Shout Out to Kindness -- THANK YOU SPECIAL TUESDAY MORNING LADIES!!! You show up! You show kindness! You head out to the neighborhood to share that kindness with others who are shut in or shut out! And you show up again with a big smile! I LIKE IT!

... Come to think of it! If you happen to meet anyone strange, different or unusual this week, why not open the door and invite them in ... they will feel special too!

Pray for Canada

... Pastor and Lisa are in Vancouver on the North Vancouver area meeting with others who are working to make Jesus Lord of the city. Pray for Don Springer and Westlynn. Pray for John Martens and the Connection. Pray for Chad Chomlack and Church on the Mountain.

Wow! 3+million need Jesus. A beautiful city with lovely people who need to know God!

Vancouver

Hey all you cool cats! I hope the beginning of the week has been super cool for everyone! I know mine has!

Yesterday morning I saw Pastor and Mrs. Pastor Lisa off on their way to the airport but I wasn't sure where they were heading.

Then, this morning as I was awaiting my daily rub down and hair style from T I overheard one of the girls talking to Pastor. He is all the way up in Vancouver this week! WOW! That's a LONG way! He is there for the Vancouver Focus Advocates Meeting, and will also visit some of the missionaries that FBC Decatur is partnered with in our 3 year partnership.



He said that he and Mrs. Pastor Lisa got to have dinner at the Frog Grill with John and Tiffany last night. Yummm-mmmy! Boy would I like to have some of those frog legs! I wonder if I could have snuck into Pastor's bag like the cat I heard about on the news?! It might have been a bumpy ride down there, but it would have been worth it for those frog legs and maybe some salmon to go with them! After dinner they got to tour John and Tiffany's new space, and it sounded really nice! What a blessing for them to have this space that is large enough for everyone to come. Now all they need is for volunteers to come and paint! I was a painter in my 3rd cat life, and think I could definitely help them out! Sign me up!

Speaking of super cool, Pastor also told the girls that the weather is beautiful in Vancouver, a crisp 50 degrees. How I wish it was 50 degrees here! This week has been close to 85 everyday so far, and when you have a black fur coat it gets pretty hot! Maybe I should look into a summer hair cut...I'm thinking maybe a Bob or a shave. What do you think?

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and I'll update if I hear more from Pastor in Vancouver. Everyone be sure to be here tonight for some good home cooking! We are having brisket, potato salad and baked beans...sounds good!

I'm heading out to enjoy the weather before it gets scorching hot. Talk to you soon!

Championship Cats!!!

Guess what happened to me Sunday AM ... well I was making my rounds about 3 hours after sunrise and I slipped into the medium sized building behind the prayer gazebo. Meowzers! Have you seen the kidz hall -- a real artist has been at work -- neat arch -- paintings -- people -- lots of color -- Great Job! And lots of kidz running to class, singing and havin' fun.



... I heard a familiar laugh and rounded the corner to see my good buddy Doc talking to a bunch of men. WHOA! He was lettin' 'em have it about a dude named JOSEPH. It seems this Jo guy got into lots of trouble with his boss and jail and a butler and a baker (food!!!). So I just sat in the corner and listened. This Jo-seph trusted in God and refused to let the people of the pyramids make him a slave to the world. He kept holdin' on to GOD, puttin' his faith in the One who made us all. AND this GOD brought him through. What a story! ...



== I was thinkin' Joseph must have been a cool cat because he wouldn't let Pharoah put a leash on him and it reminded me of what my Good Friend Mark Twain said, "Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat."



... I kept thinkin' wouldn't it be great if everyone could hear all the stories like that that Doc and the other talkers tell every Sunday about 3 hours after sunrise. So all you cat lovers out there help me out and invite someone to come with you next Sunday for what mister T calls "Championship Sunday!" And there's gonna be lots of food!

Wednesday Night Supper -- I Luv it!!!

...Sorry I slept in late this morning, but that sesame chicken that Lisa G and Ella Ruth S fixed last night was meowzers!!! I mean scrumptuous, fishalishous, a whole nother level. In fact, I luv bein' a baptist cat -- lotz to eat. And my good buddy, shure mate, saves the best dish for me. So keep those felineship meals comin' my way!

And Don't Forget ... I overheard them talking about the last Sunday of this month will be another great eat-together ... I'll be there! Baseball, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Apple Pie! An All-American Championship Celebration.

Hey Cali -- I am working on getting a good home for those labradoodle pups and give you some relief. So First Family remember that Jesus told us to love our enemies -- that includes dogs - so some of you open up your heart and your home to these little dudes. I'll see if we can get a pic. See all of you Sunday bright and early.

Pray 4 Pastor Ken!!!

"2 B or not 2 B - a lover of cats. That is the question!" was written by my great uncle Chaucer the 3rd of Stratford, who was cared for by Anne Hathaway. He wrote it in 1583. Of course it was edited by Anne's husband, Willie, and used in one of his plays...

... as I was taking my usual morning massage, I began to think about asking all of you to pray for Pastor. You see there are only two kinds of people in the world -- those who believe and those who don't believe in loving cats! Pastor is an unbeliever? BUT don't dispair ... Tom-my best bud, Mrs. Pastor-Lisa, and the support staff are working hard to convert him ...

It may not be easy!!! Last year I remember him telling about one of my relatives, spooky, who lives south of town. He got stuck in a tall tree and his servant, Mike, decided the best way to get him down was to lasso the top of the tree and tie it to his big noisy truck and pull ... well all was going well and the tree was bending, spooky was getting closer to the ground ... when the rope broke ... snap ... the tree went up and spooky went flying ... meeeeeeeoooooowwwww ...

... on the next street over, a little girl named Krystal had been begging her mom for a cat ... no way ... beg, beg, beg ... finally mom said, "If God gives you a cat, you can have one." Well Krystal went out in the backyard and began to pray, "Dear Lord, would you send me a little kitty." You guessed It ... all of the sudden spooky came flying into the backyard and landed in her lap...

God ANSWERS Prayer!!! So join me in praying for Pastor Ken ... After all, there are only two kinds of people in the world -- believers and those who have not yet believed --------------------->

Finally I get the Attention I deserve!!!

Purr..fect ... I am sitting at T's computer ... they haven't given me my own yet but I'm working on it ...



... I just want to thank all of you who keep opening the door and letting me in, you see I am a rather pampered feline and I deserve an office of my own... but for now Thanks for opening those doors and helping me out as the number one mascot at First.

BTW did you know that my doc J had a new little girl ... not so much red hair this time ... but a real beauty ... he was showing everyone pictures on Sunday ... Proud Pop! ... and I'm a little proud too to be part of this great family at First. T has asked me to share my story, maybe later ...

... Well - gotta go ... time for a little cat nap!