What’s Up In NASCAR

By: Clint Spencer

David Reutimann, driver of the #00 for MWR, picked up his first career win on Monday by winning the shortened Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway.  Rain had been a big issue all weekend for both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Races.  Saturday’s Nationwide race was cut short due to inclement weather and Mike Bliss went home the winner after staying out when others when to pit road.  It was basically the same scenario Monday afternoon.  The Coca Cola 600 did not get under way on Sunday so the race was rescheduled for Monday at noon.   The race was start and go from the drop of the green flag due to the rain.  Finally, on mile 340.5 of 600 the race was called after NASCAR spent nearly two hours deciding whether or not to go back to racing.  Reutimann, who took the same gamble as Bliss on Saturday night, stayed out when the leaders went to pit road for a caution on lap 227.  The risk would prove to pay off as Reutimann earned his first win in 75 career starts.  Ryan Newman, the pole sitter for the 600 finished the race in second while Robby Gordon, driver of the #7 Jim Beam Camry, finished the race in third and picked up his first top five at an oval track since Talladega in April 2004.  Carl Edwards finished fourth while Brian Vickers, who was a contender for the win, finished the race in fifth position.  The #18 of Busch finished in sixth followed by Kahne, Montoya, Logano, and Kenseth as the rest of your top ten.

Spencer’s Power Poll

1.  Jeff Gordon-Leads the standings by 44 points heading into to Dover.  Gordon sat on the pole last September at the Monster Mile and finished both races in the top ten.  Look for Gordon to stand strong for a few more weeks.

2.  Tony Stewart- A 19th place finish wasn’t the best but it could have been better if it weren’t for the rain.  Tony needs to concentrate on racing and not bald headed men called “Billy Bad Butt.”  If you watched the race, you know what I am referring to.

3.  Kurt Busch-Keeps the third spot for another week.  I wonder if the Miller Lite “Taste Protector Lid” can protect him from Jimmie Johnson who trails by 13 points

4.  Jimmie Johnson-First it was the beard and now it’s the shaved head.  Johnson needs to fire his PR person and focus on winning his fourth championship.

5.  Denny Hamlin- An 11th place finish was good enough to keep Hamlin in the top five for another week.  Bad news for Hamlin is that he is heading to Dover, a track that he has finished 38th or worse in the last three races held there.

6.  Kyle Busch-Moves one more spot in the points this week.  Busch had one of the cars to beat all weekend whether it was on Saturday or Monday.  If the rain would have stayed away Busch may have picked up the weekend sweep.

7.  Ryan Newman- The Rocket Man continues to turn heads as he picks up another top five and increases one spot in the standings.

8.  Jeff Burton-A 25th place finish in Monday’s race drops the driver of the #31 two places in the points.

9.  Matt Kenseth-Matt, once again raises another spot in the points.  For a while the driver of the #17 was sitting still but back to back top tens by The Killer Bees are sending Kenseth in the right direction.

10.  Greg Biffle-The driver of the #16 falls a spot this week in the points.  However, there is no need for Biffle to worry because he heads to Dover where he sat on the pole last year for this weekend’s race.  He finished that race in third and backed that up with a win in September.  

11.  Carl Edwards-A fourth place finish in the 600(340.5) moves the driver of the #99 up one spot in the standings.  

12. Mark Martin- The driver of the #5 falls back one spot this week.  He should turn things around this weekend in Dover where he finished fourth back in September.

Prediction for the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway:  Jeff Gordon has four wins at the Monster Mile and this Sunday he makes it five.  Look for the #24 Dupont Chevrolet in victory lane.

Backpacks for Kids

Because Hunger Doesn’t Take a Break on the Weekend

Denver United Methodist Church partners with Rock Springs Elementary School, North Lincoln Middle School, and North Lincoln High School to meet the needs of hungry children in Lincoln County by providing them with nutritious and easy-to-prepare food to take home on the weekends and school vacations when other resources are not available.

HISTORY

• Program started at an Arkansas Rice Depot in Little Rock after a school nurse asked for help because hungry students were coming to her with stomach aches and dizziness.

•  How can a child learn if they are not well fed?

•  The local food bank began to provide the school children with groceries in non-descript backpacks to carry home.

How Are Children Identified?

•  Through East Lincoln social worker, school counselors, teachers and principals – even by some students

•  Demonstrate signs of hunger – asking others for food, making comments, sluggish

WHO ARE THEY?

•  Children who have slipped through the cracks – some raised by other family members who don’t qualify for help because they aren’t the legal guardian

•  20 year old raising her 2 high school age siblings after mom died of cancer

•  Raised by disabled grandparents

•  Dad walked out – no legal separation agreement therefore mom not qualified for benefits

•  Mom in drug rehab and aunt taking care of kids

•  Dad was laid off - benefits haven’t started yet

•  Live in a single wide trailer and you can see the ground through the holes in the floor

What Do We Provide

•  7 meals per week per child – 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, and 5 snacks.

•  Currently have 25 kids in the program

•  We provide over 175 meals per week!

•  Offer Christmas, Spring Break and summer food boxes to help families make it through holiday breaks

HOW WE GOT STARTED

Denver United Methodist Church partnered with Rock Springs Elementary School to send food home with hungry children. We started with 8 kids.

Since then we’ve taken on NLMS & NLHS and are now serving 25 children (up to 34 last Fall)

•  12 at Rock Springs

•  10 at North Lincoln Middle School

•  3 at North Lincoln High School

•  3 volunteers pack and deliver numbered food bags to the school each week

•  4 volunteers pick up and package bagels donated by a local bagel shop

•  6 people shop using coupons weekly

Bags handed out at end of school on Friday to not draw attention to the fact that a child is carrying an extra bag home.

•   Costs $5.00 per day, per child – roughly $375/ week or $20,000 per year needed to run the program

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

•  Donate Food – individual servings of canned meats, fruits, vegetables, applesauce, ravioli, soup, oatmeal, grits, breakfast bars, cereals, boxed meals, macaroni & cheese, fruit snacks, popcorn, pretzels, crackers, etc.

•  Donate Duffle Bags – started using duffles instead of backpacks because they are easier to carry than 2 backpacks

•  Donate Money – funds are used to purchase items to fill in the gaps from food donations

•  Donate Coupons – we can use your unused manufacturer’s coupons from Sunday’s paper to purchase food at a discount.

•  Organize a Food Drive - in your neighborhood, place of business, or civic organization

Contact Julie Doss at 704-489-8681 or julieadoss@gmail.com for more information.

What’s Up In Local Sports

By: Calvin Hastings

It’s time for American Legion Baseball.   Last year this area witnessed one of the most amazing seasons of American Legion Baseball ever with the State Tournament in Gastonia and the Southeastern Regionals and World Series in Shelby.   Even though these tournaments are not in our area this year, you can always be guaranteed a night of fun and excitement at any one of our local American Legion baseball games.  Each week the What’s Up Shopper will print this upcoming week’s Legion schedule.   This year’s North Carolina state tournament will be held in Greenville.   The Southeastern Regionals are at Sumter, South Carolina and the Little World Series will be in Fargo, North Dakota.   Don’t start packing yet,  it’s a long season.

Hunter Huss baseball coach Terry Radford has resigned as head baseball coach.   For 22 years Radford has worn the Carolina Blue Huskies jersey.   Radford plans to remain at Hunter Huss as the school’s athletic director and as a physical education teacher and assistant football coach.   No replacement has yet been named, however two of his assistant coaches have expressed interest in the job.   In 22 years Radford has compiled a record of 198 wins and 379 losses. 

The Big South 3A/4A Conference has announced its All Conference  Baseball  Team.   Pitchers included Jay Puckett of East Gaston.  Clint Medlin of Forestview.  Weston Lawing of South Point and Jeffrey Springs of South Point.   Catchers were Justin Parker of North Gaston and Jonathan Cooper of Crest.   Infielders included Griffin Wise of Forestview, Zade Denton of North Gaston, Michael Dodd of North Gaston, Ryan Huneycutt of South Point, Kyle Tate of Ashbrook, Jacob Tisdale of Crest and Logan Armstrong of East Gaston.   Outfielders included Dylan White of North Gaston, Derek Treffinger of South Point, Julian Ridings of Crest, Zach Daly of Forestview and Caleb Clark of Crest.   Utility men included Tyler Radford of Hunter Huss and Henry Rundio of North Gaston.   Trey Deason of East Gaston was named the Player of the Year after hitting .423 with six home runs and 28 RBIS.   Jason Lineberger of South Point was named the Coach of the Year.

Congratulations to Lincolnton’s Taylor Shelton.   Shelton signed a letter of intent to play softball at Louisburg Junior College in Louisburg, North Carolina.  Shelton hit.244 for the Wolves and posted an 8-10 pitching record.   

The Big South has named their all conference baseball selections.   Gardner Webb players named to the squad included  third baseman Justin Lloyd and outfielder Brock Miller.   Daniel Cooke was named to the second team and Jonathan Ahearn was named to the All Academic Team.   David Anderson of Coastal Carolina was named the Player of the Year.   Cody Wheeler of Coastal Carolina was named the pitcher of the year.  Jeff Kemp of Radford was named the Freshman of the Year.   And Gary Gilmore of Coastal Carolina was named the Coach of the Year.

The East Lincoln Mustangs took second place at the State 2A track meet last weekend at North Carolina A & T.   It’s the highest the Mustangs have ever finished in the state.  Salisbury took home the state title.   East Lincoln’s Spenseer Sydney won the state tile in the high jump with Keith Rendleman  finishing second.    The Shelby Golden Lions placed third in the event.   Lincolnton finished 15th in the event and Lincolnton’s Morgan Childers won the 3200 meter gold medal for the second year in a row.

The Ashbrook Greenwave finished 6th in the State 4A Track and Field Championships last Saturday.

The season ended for Shelby’s soccer team as they fell by a 2-1 score to Forbush in the State 2A playoffs.  The Lady Golden Lions finished 18-4 on the season.  

The Big South 3A/4A All Conference Soccer Team has been announced.   Jessica Holder of Forestview was named the Player of the Year.   Shannon Rogers of Ashbrook was named the Keeper of the Year and Melissa Kiwala on the Coach of the Year honors.   The All Conference team included Amy Burch, Brayden Pruitt and Brooke Fortner of Crest.  Kelsey Harris, Evan Martin, Mary Leslie Miller, Allison Rodriquez, and Sarah Bridger of Forestview.  Diamond Davis, Molly Fisher, Shannyn Holder and Bailey Bumgardner of South Point.  Olivia Belk, Jennifer DelCastillo, Hayley Conner, and Celeste Pantuso of Ashbrook.     Kylie Payne, Hannah Hayes and Madison Collier of East Gaston.   Morgan Rhyne and Marcella Montana of Hunter Huss.   And Shannon Johnson of North Gaston.

Hats off to East Lincoln’s Keith Rendleman.   Rendleman has been selected to play in the North Carolina Coaches Association All Star basketball game set for July 18th at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.   Rendleman is East Lincoln’s all time leading scorer.   Rendleman will be playing college basketball at UNC-Wilmington this fall.

5/28-6/6 American Legion Baseball Schedule

5/28: Henderson County at Cherryville.  Newell at Kings Mountain.  Shelby at Rutherford County

5/29 - Charlotte at Lincoln County, Cherryville at Sylva, Gastonia at Huntersville, Hickory at Shelby, Kings Mountain at Union County, Newell at the Gaston Braves.

5/30: Burke County at Shelby, Gastonia at Kings Mountain, Huntersville at the Gaston Braves, Union County at Lincoln County

5/31:  Gaston Braves at Union County, Hickory at Cherryville, Huntersville at Lincoln County, Kings Mountain at Pineville, Monroe at Gastonia,  Shelby at Asheville 3:00 PM DH

6/01 - Gaston Braves at Shelby

6/02 - Gaston Braves at Monroe, Lincoln County at Kings Mountain, Newell at Gastonia,  Shelby at Cherryville.

6/03: Cherryville at Lincoln County, Shelby at Henderson County

6/04: Hickory at Gastonia, Kings Mountain at Cherryville, Rutherford County at Shelby

6/05:  Caldwell County at Cherryville, Gastonia at Pineville, Kings Mountain at the Gaston Braves, Lincoln County at Monroe,  Sylva at Shelby

6/06:  Burke County at Cherryville, Gaston Braves at Pineville, Henderson County at Shelby, Monroe at Kings Mountain, Newell at Lincoln County, Union County at Gastonia.

What’s Up With Howard Black

Howard Black

By The Grace Of God And Contitutionally Guaranteed, 

Howard Black Pokes Fun At Life, Politics, And Human Insanity!

Somewhere around Cherryville, there is a stupid driver!

I would assume that any licensed driver would know, that driving with hi-beam headlights when following another vehicle at night isn’t allowed.  But last night, while driving home, a car followed me with their hi-beam headlights blaring into my rearview mirror.  At first, I chose to ignore it, as I believed they just didn’t realize what they were doing.

But, as cars passed they would dim their hi-beams, and then turn them back on high as the cars passed.  I finally figured out that this person was either stupid or arrogant.

Revenge was mine.  I zipped through a convenience store parking lot and got behind the offending driver and gave them a dose of their own medicine. 

And this morning, while talking on a cell phone, a blonde-haired bimbo decided to immediately merge onto I-85 across three lanes of traffic.  The problem, she was traveling 50-mph, and the on-coming traffic was traveling at the speed limit, or greater.  Cars from all three lanes had to slam on brakes, and I honestly believe that she never knew her rear end was about to be felt up by an 18-wheeler.

Stupid drivers are everywhere, but let’s get down to the facts.

In a 20-question test given by GMAC Insurance to 5,288 drivers across the nation, only 90% were able to answer enough questions to get a passing score.  Translated that means, 1 out of every 10 cars you pass, the driver isn’t smart enough to pass a DMV test.

The smartest drivers were in Oregon and Washington, while the less intelligent drivers were in the District of Columbia and Rhode Island.  Our neighboring states of South Carolina and Florida scored worse than North Carolina while Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia scored higher.  North Carolina drivers ranked 32 out of 50 states.  Only 18 states scored lower than North Carolina.

What is my answer to this problem?

Simple.  Every car and truck should be equipped with a two-way radio device that allows drivers to talk with each other at close range.  The device would be mounted on the steering wheel and easily activated while simultaneously blowing the horn.  Better drivers would be able to instruct other vehicles on proper driving procedures.

I think it’s the perfect answer, unless you are one of those stupid drivers!

What’s Up With Hollywood Sports

By Kevin “Hollywood” Hastings

I think every team in the league should be thinking about what to do about Michael Vick.  Maybe one of the fastest and most athletic players ever to step on an NFL field, Michael Vick is now able to return to the league after two years in prison for dog fighting.  Every team wants Vick, believe me, but no team wants to be the 1st to sign the former quarterback. 

I going to get right down to it, I think the Cowboys should pick up Vick.  Forget about Michael Vick being a quarterback,  he was one and no matter what you idiots say about Romo not being any good Jerry Jones said it best a few week’s back, “I wouldn’t trade Tony Romo for anyone else in the league.”  Vick’s also a running back, wide receiver, kick returner, backup quarterback, field goal holder, and overall football Superman if he would realize his potential.  No franchise wants to sign Vick to be the face of the franchise which is what he would be if he signed as a quarterback.  Vick’s best value would be for him to really reach his potential as a football player and rewrite NFL and Dallas Cowboys history as a specialist.  The Vick dilemma isn’t a football problem it’s an image problem.  I really think Vick can return to the NFL with much success and still be a hall of famer and a football wizard on the field.  You all knew when he dropped back to pass we wanted him to pull it down and take off because it was something magical when he waved the ball to the side like he could still throw it while gliding by your DB’s for 40 yard gains.  

What everyone’s problem was is that we wanted him to be the Michael Jordan of football and in effect Mike was like Mike.  Don’t forget Michael Jordan had/has a huge gambling problem along with his buddy Charles Barkley who’s estimated to have lost “over 10 million over the years, but I’ve won more than that.”  What Vick and his comrades thought they were doing is gambling not dog  fighting. ESPN writer Bill Simmons has a theory that Jordan retired to play baseball because NBA Commissioner David Stern actually secretly suspended him for a year and a half because of the gambling.  Stern denies this but Simmons points out that Stern is the most powerful man in sports and he’s been able to cover up the consistantly horrible officiating and gambling scandals for years. But Stern couldn’t publicly suspend Michael Jordan during his reign of terror in the 90’s.  Jordan and the Bulls won 6 championships in 8 years with Houston claiming the other two titles.  What if Jordan actually got into trouble, owed someone too much money or was mixed up with a woman other than his wife?  Remember his wife recently was rewarded the most money in allimony history two years ago because of reports of Jordan’s infidelity.   Anything is possible.  Stern could have suspended him for a year and a half and gave him the chance to rejoin the Bulls for the playoffs because he didn’t want Jordan to miss too many playoffs and finals opportunities.  Chicago fell short that season getting beat by Patrick Ewing’s Knicks in game 7 but what we’ll never know is why Jordan suddenly quit to play baseball.  

Now,  I’m not even close to claiming the two are the same but the Vick’s were gambling and using dog fighting as a means of exchanging and betting huge amounts of money.  I think whatever team signs Vick should make sure they address his gambling problem along with absolute disregard for dogs.  He’s a confused individual and hopefully his time in prison has allowed him to reflect on those things and I can bet you Roger Goodell won’t allow him to touch an NFL field unless he thinks Vick is remorseful and understanding of his actions.  

With all that said if you really want to make your team a Super Bowl contender you sign Michael Vick.  I think the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, and Dallas Cowboys should seriously sign Vick for whatever he wants.  Bill Belicheck would make Vick the sport’s most dangerous weapon.  Carolina would make their running game unstoppable and give Panthers fans a reason to cheer those 3rd and long Vick to DeAngelo options rather than the usually boring ‘we give up’ RB draws.  Carolina would dominate the NFC South with that lineup and could use Vick as the main quarterback to backup Jake while getting him three series a game at the helm.  Don’t be scared Mr. Richardson, go get Vick.  

Now for my team, I think the Cowboys should sign Vick, who have had the history of reclamation projects and you know Jones will take a chance on anyone who can help the Dallas Cowboys win football games.  The Cowboys have been hoarding cap money this season for unknown reasons while they still have holes to fill.  They traded back out of the first day of the trade to have 12 cheap picks in rounds 3-7.  Are the cowboys possibly hoarding money for Vick?  I doubt it but it wouldn’t be that far-fetched.

Along with the Panthers and Pats, the Cowboys could use Vick as a Deion Sanders type player.  Kordell Stewart was Slash; the Cowboys would have Vick the Flash.  Just think about Vick in Dallas.  Romo at the helm, Kitna is the backup.  The Cowboys could lineup Romo at QB, Barber or Choice at RB, Felix Jones in the Slot, Roy Williams and Michael Vick at the wideouts.  Just tell me, what are the 1985 Bears going to do about that?  385 lb. Leonard Davis is bulling the way for those backs to slice and dice and you have perhaps the fastest receiving five players on the field in the NFL. 

What about Vick returning kickoffs and punts?  What about Vick running the wildcat?  What about Vick running straight down the field to see just how far Romo can throw it?  What about Vick throwing the ball on a reverse 70 yards cross field to Roy Williams with one on one coverage and a corner six inches shorter trying to cover him?  

Vick was and maybe still can be the ultimate football player.  I also think Vick can still be an NFL quarterback if he wants to be.  But, I also think that if Vick would see this as a potential to become Gale Sayers with a 70 yard arm it would better remake his image and  remake the man.  It would go a long way to help him ease his way back into society without having to immediatley be the face of the franchise. Being an NFL quarterback is tough without the intense scruitiny Vick would face as a team’s QB.  I’m proposing that Vick should take his lumps and become a football player first and put being a franchise saving quarterback on the back burner for now.

The most important thing in all of this is if he comes back  Vick could once again make us fell like we’re seing something magical every single play.  Whether at quarterback for the Redskins or playing Deion in Dallas, hopefully we’ll see the story as a feel good ending with Michael Vick realizing his mistake and making amends to society.

CCC Holds Adult High School And GED Commencement

The Basic Skills program at Cleveland Community College held its Adult High School (AHS) and General Educational Development (GED) commencement ceremony on May 13, in the Student Activities Center on the CCC campus. Seventy-nine Adult High School students received their diplomas and twenty-nine students received their GEDs.  

Matt Bulman, Human Resources Director for Curtiss Wright Controls Flight Systems gave the commencement address. Bulman encouraged graduates to set goals for themselves, take accountability for their choices and continue to pursue their educations.

The Adult High School program is offered at CCC through the Basic Skills Program and is a cooperative effort between Cleveland Community College and the Cleveland County School System providing a tuition-free, mastery learning approach with flexible scheduling. The GED preparation classes are offered on-campus, off-campus, and online and are free of charge. 

Anyone interested in learning more about these programs offered at Cleveland Community College should call, The Learning Center at (704) 484-4050 or visit www.clevelandcommunitycollege.edu

Photo:  Brittany Childers and Shamanda Burston all smiles after receiving their AHS diplomas

Three Cleveland Community College radiography students were recently awarded for their outstanding achievements in the area of radiography. Adam Barnes received the Radiography Academic Achievement Award. Yvetta Washburn received the Radiography Outstanding Clinical Award, and Michael Pendleton was awarded the Radiography Student of the Year from Cleveland Regional Medical Center. The CCC Radiography program is a highly competitive program only admitting 20 students each year. For more information on this or other allied health programs at CCC visit www.clevelandcommunitycollege.edu.

Photo included (L-R) Adam Barnes, Yvetta Washburn, and Michael Pendleton

What’s Up-Town Shelby

By Janet Workman Berry, CPF

Frame Masters Gallery & Gifts, Shelby, NC

February 21, 2009 is a special date for Kenneth and Virginia Deal.  It is on this day they officially opened “Ditto Consignment.”  Located at 226 South Lafayette Street, this cozy shop is alive and bustling with great items for your home.  

Walking through Ditto Consignment you will find this shop to be a delight to your senses.  I asked Kenneth about the wonderful displays.  He told me, “Virginia is the decorator, and I just place it where she tells me.”  Although Virginia has a full time job as a hairdresser at Salon Palazzo she makes time to add her decorative touches at Ditto Consignment.  “Ditto is great, it allows me to decorate and play with pretty things – it helps me fill my ”nesting” needs without having all of it at home.” Said Virginia. 

Since their children were grown and no longer living with them, Kenneth and Virginia decided to downsize their home.  “We were looking for a simpler way of living.” said Kenneth.  This decision to downsize brought about a lot of home furnishings and décor items they simply “didn’t have room for in their new home.”  After some discussion a plan was made to open Ditto Consignment.  “We felt that if we had this challenge of what to do with furniture and accessories that just wouldn’t fit into the smaller home, there were bound to be others who had the same challenge.”  

Ditto Consignment offers tables, chairs, sofas, rugs and desks among other things.  Since this a consignment shop things are always changing.  If you can’t find what you are looking for, Kenneth keeps a “wish list” for this very purpose.  Kenneth’s days are busy taking in consignments and selling.  Kenneth says, “Yes, there seems to be a lot of folks who are looking to downsize and a “simpler way of life” but there are also those who are just starting out in decorating their home.  This is where Ditto Consignment can help.”  

Kenneth and Virginia Deal’s Ditto Consignment shop is an example of the growing mix of unique shopping Uptown Shelby offers.  You are invited to visit Historic Uptown Shelby and experience the great shops and restaurants owned and operated by independent merchants.  

Ditto Consignment is open Tuesday thru Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday 9am until  4pm.   For more information phone 704-487-0785 or 704-473-1704 or email ditto226@bellsouth.net. 

Be Inspired, Be Different, Be Uptown Shelby !!!

Shop Locally -  Support Independent Merchants that Support Your Community.

Dr. Vincent Hefner

What’s Up with “Think About It”

By Dr. Vince Hefner, Pastor

First Baptist Church, Cherryville, NC

I have always been an animal lover. You name it and I have tried to make a pet out of it. When I was a kid I caught birds, squirrels, snakes, fish, crawdads, rabbits, frogs, lighting bugs, honey bees, and anything else that I could coax into a box, bottle, or sack. It took a while but I learned some things were never intended to be domesticated, so I turned my attention to dogs and cats. We now have a few cats that live with us at the house. I don’t believe you ever “own” a cat they just stay with you like a roommate. As long as you buy the food and give them a place to sleep, they will generally stick around and watch you cut the grass, wash the clothes, cook supper, and vacuum the carpet. I’m not saying that cats are completely worthless, but they do not tell you if someone is at the front door or if the house is on fire. However, my cats are good at sitting in your lap if you are sick, and they are good company as long as you pet them and tell them how good they look. Besides that, my cats lay around the house and sleep.

Don’t misunderstand me, I love my cats, but they don’t contribute a great deal to the family circle. All of this changed a few mornings ago. My daughter’s cat, Simba Roanie wanted to go into the basement. My wife opened the basement door and he wandered downstairs. I’m not sure how much time elapsed before he reemerged with a “gift” for us. My wife began to yell for me to come and see what Simba had brought with him from the basement. I figured it was a baseball glove or a figurine he had found in a box. Just to let you know, Simba is the most laid back cat that lives with us. I’m not saying he is lazy, but he is never in a hurry to get anywhere. He is a beautiful cat with the personality of someone who doesn’t have a care in the world. Sometimes I envy him. With all of that being said, I have never considered him useful, until that morning when I walked into the living room and saw for myself what he had brought upstairs. It was a dead snake! I have had cats bring me “trophies” from the outside, but I have never had a cat bring me something from my basement, much less a snake! I have always bragged on my cats when they bring some critter to the doorstep, but I really, honestly thanked that cat for killing that snake! I told him he was wonderful and a great hunter with the courage of a Spartan soldier. He looked at me as though he was agreeing with me while I piled on the compliments. Then I remembered all the times I told him he was only good for laying around and taking up space and I had to apologize for my short sightedness in believing he was just for looks and didn’t have a talent or purpose to offer the world. Eventually, I took the snake outside after I had run out of adjectives to describe Simba the “Great Hunter.” 

The early morning event made me rethink a few things about life. First, watch my step when I walk down into the basement. Second, everybody likes a kind word when they do something good, even a cat. Third, sooner or later, everything will act according to its nature. Even a domesticated cat will act like a predator when the situation presents itself. 1 Peter 1:4 says, “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”  What nature do you display to your family and friends? Make sure Jesus is Lord of your life to enable you to share in His divine nature to honor Him with all that you say and do! Divine nature should be expected from the Christian and the world needs to see Jesus in us. Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it!

Let’s Talk Bible - Since 1975

By Evangelist W.C. “Dub” Dellinger - Age 90

Once, as the church began to feel the spirit of the Lord, I noticed one lady sitting close by.  I said unto her, “What if someone would shout?”   With an unwanted look she looked straight at me and said “I will leave the church.”  There is a saying that goes like this.  Something turned the tables.  Well, you could feel something did make a change.  Just how many other people at that time felt the same way?  Our Savior only knows.  I was in another church, and as the spirit left, some of us talked about hearing it leave at that time.  We are supposed to give glory out loud to the Lord some way.  I have saw older ones clap their hands.  I saw my son, when he was very small in church say “A-MAN!”  One day I asked him why he said A-MAN, and his reply was that the Preacher Lovelace says a man.  No, I did not scold him.  I did do some talking and explaining to him though.  Did he do it again?  Yes, and more in order.  Since many like to use the word “glory”, I looked it up.  I was surprised to find out that in a good Red Letter KJ Bible, you can find the word “glory” in 48 books of a good Bible, and some more than once.  Read Exodus 24-17.  The word glory, when it comes from a loving soul is as great a praise as anyone can give to an all loving Savior.  Just keep in mind that all lines, as we know them, must be clear for it to be accepted in glory.  Remember how this all starts.  You have to get rid of your sins and stay free of them.  Not just a sinner saved by grace and still sinning every day.  That is false as anyone can preach or teach, and it will not get you into Heaven, because you have  to have the Holy Savior in you to go into Heaven.  That is why Paul wrote Holiness without no man shall see the Lord.  In straight language, holiness took Jesus as Savior up out of the grave and the same has to be with you and myself.  Heavenly bodies are Holy and that was before they got there, and most preachers are afraid to preach that now because it will conflict themselves.  Just a college education won’t get you there.  If used in the right way, it can be of some help, but still, the Lord has to show you.  That is in essence what he told the disciples.