12/4/2018
I once read an explanation of “writer’s block” which I didn’t understand until just now. You’re probably saying, “why is Jerry going to tell us what writer’s block is?” Because I have it. Thought maybe this would help.
I always heard the phrase, “I sat down to write and nothing came out.” What struck me, just now is that it’s not about thoughts. The thoughts are running around like pre-schoolers in a gym! There just doesn’t seem to be a handle, or a corner to latch on to and slow the thoughts into some form of “chatter” or “banter” and therefore make some sense out of all the random rabbit trails. The man who wrote the explanation said he couldn’t make himself hit the keys on his typewriter, but that it wasn’t a fear. He was a multi-hit writer and I wouldn’t doubt his experience, but for me, it is just collecting the thoughts with some sort of order. It’s getting better just talking about it. Here goes.
“Short People” —Randy Newman, 1977, is the SIMH today. Randy’s music has a sort of wry humor coupled with a frivolous disrespect that can bring out loud laughter much of the time. He’s short and I’m short so this song always catches my attention. I will also stop and listen to his “Let’s Drop the Big One Now” which is about using one of these Super Bombs the big boys in the world like to say they make—his song says “drop it and let’s see what happens.” He also wrote “I Love LA” and “Momma Told Me Not To Come.” Fun music.
Today, I go to the new Blue Jug store in Gadsden, AL to communicate with the plumber. No, I would never tell a plumber how to do anything. It’s just to be sure he doesn’t miss seeing everything about our water system and then have to make a re-visit to the store. If he understands the needed water flow and drains, he’ll see exactly how he needs to do his work. Hopefully, he will not ask me questions about stuff I can’t answer. but, this also gives the Gadsden owner a chance to see every facet of the system and what it takes to maintain it. There, don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about?
We now have an eighth store being readied, this one in Abilene, TX. Not a doubt in my mind about its success as they are another area plagued with water which needs the improvements our system brings. The couple doing it are very astute young people and seem to understand how to do what they want to do. A good grip on life, if you will.
We’re beginning to think in terms of the year ahead in some respects, though not trying to be putting “carts” before “horses” or anything like that. Yesterday, I mentioned scheduling conferences in the new year and how important that is. Setting dates is what causes the flow of events and workloads and people to get together and have it all work out for the glory of God. Since 1979, (at Pineview Bible Camp), I’ve been involved in several hundred camps and conferences in several states and they always come together. About 4 have been stopped by hurricanes and one camp was shortened by a water issue. Other than that, it has been an amazing thing to watch how the Lord provides. (Speaking of that, there was a shortfall of one of last year’s conferences and a balance is still owed. If you have an interest in helping out with that, just get in touch with me and I’ll get you in touch with how to help.)
But, all in all, we’ve found a great joy and peace in believing the Lord is willing to provide and we’ve been blessed by the salvation messages we’ve heard from a long list of preachers over 39 years and also been the recipient of much doctrinal instruction that edifies those who already belong to the Lord, from learning how to speak the gospel more clearly to making apparent the overall plan of God. If you happen to be in the number who have not been to a conference, I recommend in this next year you attend at least two. Pick out two in areas you like or want to visit so that you can also enjoy the scenery as you enjoy the bible clearly laid out.
On the business side of my life, Blue Jug will grow next year. Of course, we don’t know how much, but we believe it will continue to be an exciting adventure into the future of a couple of desperately needed improvements in the manner in which we get water. (We gotta have water, and the better we mimic how the Lord did it from the beginning, the better off the people who avail themselves will be.) So, we know how to do this, the mimicry of the Lord’s way, it is finding the people who agree with us who also have a desire to bring this to the public’s attention. We hear and see so many people have some aspect of their health improved by what we do with water that we know it is what should be done. As Sarah once answered an interested couple who asked what she thought of the business, she said, “It is a ministry I didn’t know I had till we were open.”
Thanks for reading, the Elder
the Elder's Blog 