PROVERBS I've been reading the book of Proverbs this week. I am reading from Peterson's "The Message" version. Peterson skillfully translates the original writings into a a more current, modern version that is easy to understand in today culture. Proverbs is widely thought of as The Book of Wisdom and it is so rich in "one liners." The book is especially easy to pick up and flip through for a quick, spiritual pick me up. I have picked out a few that were special to me and maybe they will be to you as well. Have a great Thursday and rest of the weekend.

Chapter 2...He keeps His eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to His loyally
committed ones.

Chapter 3...Listen to God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one
who will keep you on track.
...Never walk away from someone who needs God's help; your hand is God's hand
for that person.

Chapter 11...A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart; but a principled life can stand up
to the worst.  ¶ 9:50 PM 2 comments

  WHOOPIGCHEWIE YOU READ IT RIGHT. ITS THE NEWEST FLAVOR INTRODUCED BY SEARCY'S OWN YARNELL'S ICE CREAM COMPANY INSPIRED BY OUR BELOVED ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS-"WHOOPIGCHEWIE." WHAT A GREAT NAME; WOULDN'T YOU AGREE? OBVIOUSLY, IT'S MY NEW FAVORITE FLAVOR AND I HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED IT YET. ITS A BLEND OF DELICIOUS CHEWY CHOCOLATE GOOEY IN THEIR FAMOUS ROUND GALLON CONTAINERS. WHO WOULDN'T LIKE THAT, HUH. I'VE BEEN TO KROGERS TWICE TO BUY A CARTON AND THEY HAVE HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT BOTH TIMES. I DRIVE BY THE COMPANY ON MY WAY TO WORK EVERY DAY AND AM GOING TO STOP THIS WEEK AND PICK UP A SAMPLE. YES, THAT'S RIGHT; THEY GOT SAMPLES FOR VISITORS! (WHY HAVEN'T I STOPPED MORE OFTEN?) THE OWNER, ALBERT YARNELL,IS 82 YEARS YOUNG AND FIXING TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE ARKANSAS BUSINESS HALL OF FAME. CONGRATULATIONS MR.YARNELL ON YOUR SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS AND FOR MAKING THE BEST ICE CREAM IN THE WORLD. BY THE WAY, WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING ON MY BLOG? LET'S HEAR ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVORS...OR CREATE A NEW ONE HERE AND I'LL RUN IT BY MR.YARNELL. WHO KNOWS.......?  ¶ 8:46 PM 3 comments

  FUNdamental Football
I was all geared up to travel to Paragould Saturday and watch the game with my mom when fate changed my plans. My name was drawn from a small cardboard box at a local motorcycle dealership where I had registered for 2 Razorback tickets to be given away while visiting a client. No longer had I returned to the bank when I heard on the radio that I had won the tickets. I hated cancelling my date with mom but she understood and would have done the same if she had won them. So tommorrow, my son Stephen and I will be among 70,000 other rabid Hog fans trying to cheer them on to their first 2-0 SEC conference start in several years. Both teams are very similar on paper. Both teams have rookie starting quarterbacks; Mustain a true freshman phenom for Arkansas and John Parker Wilson, a sophmore taking over for the beloved Brody Croyle. Both teams strengths center around the running game, with McFadden and Darby bucking for top running back honors in the SEC this year. Both have good defenses but neither has tackled well this year. This will be the first road game for the Tide, but historically, the Hogs haven't defended their home turf very well; at least in Fayetteville. The outcome of this game will come down to which team executes the fewest mistakes in the fundamentals department. Blocking assignments, passing routes, tackling techniques, proper coverages, and special team play won't necessarily show up on the stat page but the 11 men on each series of play that decide to focus on perfection will experience the FUN in fundamentals at the end of the game. Weather will also factor into the outcome. If the weatherman is right and the showers come, this game will be fought between the tackles. Smashmouth, Saturday afternoon, SEC football. It don't get no FUNNER than that.
Hogs 24, Tide 21  ¶ 7:44 PM 5 comments

  Praise Passwords
I was on my way out of the office toward home when I stopped by Nikki's desk to just say hey. We chatted for a minute about how crazy the day had been and I started to leave. She was signing in to her computer to put in a little overtime when I overheard her saying her password softly as she typed it in. I said curiously, " Was that your password?" She had murmured the word "patience" and a few numbers to follow and logged in. I asked about the choice of words and she explained that she uses spiritual words as her passwords as a way of reminding her of who and whose she is. She went on to share some past words or phrases that had been used such as "love", "joy", "savior" and many others. I had scrambled, when prompted each month for a new word, to think of words associated with ME. Thinking inward again. Nikki used this trivial opportunity each day as a way to be reminded that no matter how crazy the day may be, God is still in control. Everytime she signed into her computer, (and that could be 8-10 times a day at the bank), she is reminded by her choice of passwords to be strong, to love more, and to set a good example to those she assists daily. Thanks, Nikki for being the rock, and the christian example you are to everyone who crosses your path. I just discovered a whole new source for future passwords. What a great way to help memorize scripture. My next password comes from the book of James.  ¶ 9:52 PM 5 comments

  Prayer Places
I was sharing a prayer experience with a friend today and it got me thinking. I am curious to know where your "holy ground" is. Where do you go when you need to wrestle with the Lord in prayer?
Today, mine was laying flat on my back on my deck, which is detached and near the back of my yard, early in the morning. I could feel nature all around me and it allowed me to feel like I was actually "talking with God." Tell me about your prayer places.  ¶ 5:56 PM 2 comments

  Hogs Will Be Dandy At Vandy
If this were college Quiz Bowl, the Hogs would be in trouble. Vanderbilt puts out more doctors and lawyers than any school in the SEC. Generally speaking, they are a highly intelligent group of kids. Fortunately for Arkansas, it is a contest of execution on the football field. The hogs slipped up last year and let the Commodores come to our house, down 14 points in the second have and beat us. McFadden and Jones had less than 5 total carries in last years game. This year, Vandy will get a heavy dose of #5 and #25 as they attempt to rack up yardage on the ground. Add Hillis to the mix and we have 3 Parade HS All Americans in the backfield. This will be a perfect opportunity for freshman QB Mitch Mustain to relax and develop his field presence while handing off the ball to the horses. He will not have to depend on the pass to move the ball downfield and can pick and choose his opportunities to find Williams and Monk downfield. Malzhan knows how to formulate a game plan based on his team's strengths. His offensive philosophy is dictated by what the defense will allow. He looks for weaknesses and exposes them. The Hogs won't outsmart the Commodores tomorrow but I believe they will execute better and ground out a convincing win. Hogs 35, Dores-14  ¶ 9:17 PM 3 comments

  Lord, May I Be Excused? Moses asked this request of I AM not once, not twice, but four different times Re-read the account in Exodus 3 & 4. Its very amusing and definitely hits home with me. I've given God more excuses for my lack of GOING than there were frogs in Egypt during Moses's visit. "Lord, if you'll just line up the planets just perfect today, I'll be in the best possible position to do your will." Hogwash. (best description of God's disapproval most closely related to theme of this blog) God doesn't accept my excuses now and he didn't accept Moses' excuses then. It went something like this...
I AM-"So now go. I am sending YOU."
Moses-"Who am I?"(excuse #1)
I AM-"I will be with you."(excuses should have came to an abrupt stop right there!)
Moses-(with a formidable comeback)"What do I say if they ask me who sent me?"(like he didn't know! and excuse #2)
I AM-(known for His comebacks!)"Tell them I AM who I AM."(period.)
Moses-(scrambling here, sweating profusely, wringing his hands, feet fidgeting, breathing somewhat irregular at this point)
I AM-(breaking the awkward silence due to Moses suddenly being at a loss for words)"Tell them the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has sent you to them."
Moses-(still suffering from a sudden case of lock jaw)
I AM-(continues revealing himself giving Moses time to come up with excuse #3)"I have a plan Moses. The elders of Israel will believe you when you tell them about me; Pharoah and the Egyptians will not. It's OK though. I got your back."
Moses-(still pulling at straws)"What if they don't believe me?"(excuse #3)
I AM-(prepared as always for another excuse)"Throw your staff down Moses. It immediately turns to a snake."Grab the end of the snake Moses." It immediately turns back to a staff." Ok Moses. Are you in or out?"(second miracle thrown in just to close the deal due to Moses lack of being impressed with miracle #1)"Put your hand in your cloak Moses." Moses now senses a weird feeling in his hand and pulls it out of his cloak witnessing what appears to be "instant leprousy." I AM reassuredly instructs Moses to tuck his hand back in his cloak and the look of panic on Moses face slowly disappears when he is instructed by I AM to look at it again only to notice that it is completely healed. Moses is convicted now....right?....wrong! Before Moses can admit his further doubts I AM tells Moses that he has a few more tricks up his sleeve to persuade the pharoah to concur with THE PLAN, once he arrives in Egypt.
Moses-(last ditch effort to argue his case)"Lord, you've heard me speak. I'm terrible and I stt,ttt,...stutter. I'll totally blow it. "(excuse #4)
I AM-(loosing his patience) "Moses, who made speech, vision, the ability to hear? I did. Now go. I'll help you. I'll teach you what to say, for Gods sake."(think about that one for a minute)
Moses-(shamelessly begging at this point)"Oh Lord. Please send someone else to do it."

You know the rest of the story. His brother accompanies him and they carry out I AM's plan. But as you can see, not without a fight. Don't make excuses to I AM. He has a lot of experience in that department. Save yourself the trouble and JUST GO. Like He did with Moses, He'll be our mouth, our ears, our eyes, if we allow him to. Learn from one of the most humorous dialog's in the old testament, in my opinion. Peace to you all.  ¶ 9:39 PM 7 comments

  Where Were You...

Alan Jackson asked us all to reflect and never forget the events of September 11, 2001 in these lyrics of his famous song, "Where were you when the world stopped turning, on that September day?" I will never forget where I was. It was 8:30 a.m. and we had set down around the boardroom table to begin a loan meeting at the bank. One of the board members came in a little late and apologized for doing so, visibly shaken. His first words were, "Have ya'll heard what's happening?" He went on to describe the sketchy horror with little details at that time. Everyone immediately lost focus of the trivial business at hand and we rushed through the meeting, anxious to find out more about the board members brief report. David, our community president, and I made a couple of excuses to the rest of the employees and bolted for his father's house, about a mile away to catch the news on TV. His dad called while we were in route and gave us a grueling update. We couldn't get to his home fast enough. As we entered his Dad's living room, the TV was turned up a little louder than normal, with CNN reporting the horrific scenes. Our country was under attack. One building had already been hit. We witnessed the second attack for ourselves or maybe just shortly after it happened. I called home to check on my wife. She was sad. I called my kids. They were OK. Many from New York couldn't say that about their families right then. I remember a huge knot of helplessness in my gut. Banking played second fiddle in all of our minds that morning, but I had an obligation in Little Rock that I couldn't miss and had to travel. As I listened to the radio on the way there, the reports continued to paint a dismal picture of the tragedy in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. Even though the attacks were hundreds of miles from Arkansas, I witnessed the early ripples of fear by seeing long lines at the gas pumps as rumors spread over those claiming responsibility coming from the oil rich middle east. Gas prices began rising at alarming rates, with some operators later having to return unfair profits due to price gouging. Panic. Fear. Helplessness. Although it was terrorism's finest hour on our soil, America joined hands almost immediately and dug through the rubble, exercising any racial, ethnic, or religious demons that had previously existed, showing the world that our states are indeed united. I love this land. I'll never forget that day. "Where were you when the world stopped turning......?"

  ¶ 9:11 PM 4 comments

  Week 2; Mustain Madness
The USC game is ancient history and a new season begins Saturday at 6:00 against Utah State in Fayetteville. There will be a near sold out crowd again on hand to witness Mitch Mustain's start at quarterback. The highly touted true freshman is truely a "Cool Hand Luke." He has handled the pressure leading up to his being named a starter like a veteran. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan, his high school coach and the Hogs O.C. says Mustain can't be fazed. Admittedly, he looked extremely poised in the 4th quarter against the Trojans last week, leading the Hogs on a 5 play drive, 80 yards, carring the ball in himself on the last play from 5 yards out. After the game, when interviewed about how he felt in his first college game, Mustain said, " I had fun," with a huge smile on his face. I really think he did. I believe its going to be a lot of fun watching the Hogs the next few years, with Mustain leading the troops. We haven't had a pure quarterback in several years and Mitch looks as comfortable at quarterback as I am in my lazyboy watching him. I believe tomorrow a new page in Hog history begins as Malzhan and Mustain officially take over the reins of the offense. Prediction....Arkansas 49, Utah St. 3.  ¶ 9:13 PM 2 comments

  Bluer Than Blue
Is it just me, or does anybody else on the planet , besides diehard Idaho football fans, like the blue Astro Play turf at Bronco Stadium ? Its the only blue turf in the world. I'll go out on a limb......I don't think they will have to worry about anyone imulating them anytime soon! I wonder what recruits think when they see it for the first time? (except for the blue-chippers from Idaho high schools that have grown up seeing it) "Wow, what a pool. Where's the diving board?" In my opinion, the best the field ever looks is when its covered in snow; which happens a lot late in the season. I mean, football fields ought to be green. Grass stain green. Like the sandlots we grew up playing on. The blue field looks surreal. Like an extreme video game. The old school guys of the 50's and 60's wouldn't have played on it. They would have insisted on playing on gravel rather than blue turf. I wonder who signed off on the choice of blue at the design committee meeting? I'm sure the suit with the thickest pocketbook. Or maybe they had a contest to submit field designs and the head of the art department won. He wanted to embody the essence of an Idaho sky reflecting its calming effect on future soldiers in this game we call football. Gag a maggott. It makes a good backdrop for a powder puff game, I'll give it that. Boise State boosters, enjoy your baby blue field. You have no fear of being copied any time soon. And pray for snow.  ¶ 6:19 PM 3 comments

  Sometimes Preparation Isn't Enough
USC 50, Arkansas 14. Even after 8 months of intense preparation for the Trojans the highly heralded horsemen were too much for the Hogs. Their performance was nearly flawless and when they did bend at times, they never broke. Your can break down game film all you want and debate coaching decisions but oftentimes, and this game was an example, the winning team had the better talent. Was Pete Carroll a better coach than Houston Nutt? Maybe. Does Arkansas have better facilities than USC. Absolutely. Throw out all the strategy, the planning, and preparation. Sometimes games are won by simply having the better athletes. Good athletes can make average coaching staffs look awfully good sometimes. In this contest, man for man, we were outmatched. More experience, more speed, bigger size, blue chip creditials. Does all this mean the Hogs never had a chance of winning? No way. We will always have a "hog in the fight." We will more times than not be the underhog. We just need to practice even harder, focus more intensely, and recruit more intelligently. And not turn the ball over 5 times!
Bright Spots-McFadden playing after nearly losing his big toe last month. Mitch Mustain. Gus Malzhan. 76,564 screaming fans-largest crowd to ever see a football game in Arkansas. The sun came up Sunday morning. We play again next week. We're still undefeated in conference play.
Dark Moments- You saw the game!  ¶ 1:04 PM 2 comments