Randy Wray's Blog

Started raining yesterday and according to the forecast it will rain all week.

Wait a second, did we move back to Oregon?

I know this will sound quite a bit like a 60’s folk song . . .

i’m just struck with the thought of all the events around the world involving wars and such

the nations and other organizations determined to wipe out the infidel

And if all that negative energy were turned toward helping

a positive response

say to the tragedy in Haiti

what a difference that would make

The earthquake in Haiti is certainly a tragedy.

The images and stories coming from the rubble are heart breaking.

The fact that a certain “religious figure” feels compelled to categorize such world events as a sign of God’s wrath against the Haitians is also a tragedy.

Doesn’t God’s heart ache for the Haitians?

Last time I checked, God loves the world, not just our corner of it.

Our girl reached the sweet sixteen milestone today.

She’s been a joy and a blessing.

Cars, insurance and the need for more driveway space now looms on the horizon.

I’ve been considering hanging guitars on my office wall.

The value of having a much older brother like Greg is I can see if his ideas pan out or not.

The idea of hanging the guitars on the wall seems to be one of his better ideas.

Here’s a transcript (a close copy – no black box or anything) of the conversation between myself and my favorite son regarding this topic:

ME – I’m thinking of hanging my guitars on that wall, what do you think?

HIM – So, you’re not planning on having Mom come to the office anymore?

ME – Why do you say that?

HIM – She’ll know how many guitars you actually have.

I’ve been raising that boy real good, real good I tell ya!

Sometimes it’s a good idea to get a different perspective on your plans.

Yesterday we explored the premise that the problem with the 10 Commandments (the first agreement between God and his people) had nothing to do with the agreement but everything to do with those to whom the Commandments were given.

Hebrews 8:7-8 (NCV) If there had been nothing wrong with the first agreement, there would have been no need for a second agreement.  But God found something wrong with his people.

We’re not all that surprised that people, not the agreement, are the problem.

Not all that surprised because we continue to be the problem.

And while our nature drives us to figure out a way to sin, God’s nature compels him to save.

When is it time to box up mementos, pimentos and other such memorabilia?

When is it time to throw away such memories, anomalies, and homilies?

(Tough word selections there but I was trying to use rhyme and other such poetic stuff without using the word mammaries)

Is there a time to do away with souvenirs, boutonnieres and financiers?

Listened to this entertaining commentary by Frank Deford this morning on NPR.

Loved the parallels and biblical references.

Click to READ the story or click to LISTEN

I’ve always enjoyed the “all things new” concept.

When the new year hits it’s a great time to rearrange furniture, throw or give away all that stuff you didn’t touch last year (much less the year before that).

I think I could make a few boxes of things from my office vanish.

Something to be said for the minimalist approach.

We rang the new year in working to unclog the sewer line at Casa Wray.

It had been blocked before we left for Christmas and we didn’t notice it until we returned.

I’ve put two and two together and now realize that every time we have relatives visit the sewer line gets plugged up.

The bright side is that I’ve become quite adept at unplugging the drain – even bought the machine because it was cheaper now than continuing to rent the machine.

I’m thrilled to finally have a back up career.