Just Charlie

A digital commonplace for a Regular Guy called Charlie Pharis

Month: November 2007 (page 2 of 3)

November 25, 2007 / 2 Comments

On the Outside, Looking In…

That’s what I’ve felt like all day today. Very weird. While I was waiting backstage to speak at Fusion this morning, it felt like I was watching someone else waiting backstage to speak. And when I started, it seemed like I was watching someone else speaking. It was all kind of a blur, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

Oh, well…

Anyway, got the usual attaboys from  Tony‘s folks. Had a big time, hope it was good for somebody. Hope Jesus was lifted up. Hope I didn’t cause any problems.

Seth and the band rocked. Adam was a gracious host. The new digs are pretty cool (except there was no eau de popcorn lingering in the air, no place to pay the Macy’s bill on the way in and out of church, no mall security to tell me I was parking in the wrong place, etc.). They even laughed politely at my stories. God is good. Thanks to Tony for the opportunity!

November 24, 2007 / 1 Comment

Saturday Night Unwind, 11.24.07…

Celtic Christmas II

Listening to Windham Hill’s Celtic Christmas II tonight…very laid back, “new agey” wintery, Christmasy kind of stuff, drinking the last of a bag of Sumatra.

Here’s what’s occupying my time and my thoughts, as though you really cared…

  • The Georgia-Georgia Tech game was really over before it ever got started, if you ask me. I think Georgia was toying with us the whole game, and had they wanted to, they could have scored 60 points tonight, easy. Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
  • Say goodnight, Coach Gailey.
  • Now Georgia is in what appears to be a real good position: They’ll be in at least the Top 5 tomorrow, they won’t have to be humiliated and/or banged up in the SEC Championship game next week, who knows where they may end up?
  • All that being said, I still don’t think you ought to have any shot of playing for all the marbles if you don’t even win your conference.
  • And all that being said, here’s another year of having to listen to obnoxious Georgia fans barking. Ugh!
  • I’m really getting nervous about preaching at Tony’s place tomorrow. I don’t know why.
  • The A-Team will be handling things at The ‘Crest tomorrow! Go guys!
  • It’s raining at my house! Yea!
  • I’m kind of glad this week is over…long trips and all. Good trips, very good Thanksgiving celebrations in both ends of our great state. I’ll be glad to be back to somewhat-normal.
  • I’ve got to hit the Y hard next week!
  • Just about finished with J. I. Packer’s Knowing God.
  • Really digging the ESV!
  • Really want to see Bella and Enchanted.
  • Really want to take the lovely and gracious “Mrs. Just Charlie” to see Nutcracker this year.
  • Really want to catch the Impressionism exhibit at the High Museum.
  • Really want to do a good job tomorrow.
  • Worried about being without a cell phone until Monday.
November 23, 2007 / 2 Comments

Too Much “Holiday” Music…

I never thought I’d say this, but enough of the “holiday” music on the radio already!

A couple of radio stations here in Atlanta usually go “all Christmas, all the time” on Thanksgiving or the day after. This year is no exception. You’ve got B98.5, 104.7 The Fish, and this year, The Bull 94.9. Well, today while we were out and about, I flipped the radio over to B98.5 to listen to Christmas music. Let’s just say a little goes a long, long way!

Man! Enough already! 5 versions of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in less than 30 minutes, and none of them were worth listening to! And I think “Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time” is one of the worst excuses for a holiday song ever. Then there’s “So This Is Christmas (War Is Over)”…huh?!?!

And please…if Jessica Simpson and the ex-Mr. Simpson is the only rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” you can find for your playlist…it would be better not to bother!

Call me Scrooge. Tell me I’m a mean one, Mr. Grinch. Whatever. But right now, I’ve got a great classical Christmas compilation CD going along with my green tea. Now that’s Christmas music!

OK, sorry…rant off!

November 23, 2007 / 0 Comments

SPLASH! Goes the Phone…

OK, Reason #345,642 NOT to get out in the shopping mess that is Black Friday…

I was with the lovely and gracious “Mrs. Just Charlie” in a store. She was trying on shirts. I went to the rest room. Let’s just say that I’m without a cell phone until Monday when the DHL man gets to my house.

If you really, really need to get in contact with me, you know how…call me at home or email me…thank you very much!

November 18, 2007 / 0 Comments

Sunday Night Unwind, 11.18.07…

Listening right now to Antonin Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World” on AccuRadio’s AccuClassical channel. I don’t know why, but I’ve had that music on my mind all day! I’m just weird like that, I suppose…an earworm for a symphony! Go figure…

Pretty good day today…preached from Psalm 107 this morning, and really hammered home that one point…

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, and his steadfast love endures forever.

I talked about the incredible power of gratitude, and how thanksgiving can change your life. Challenged our folks to be grateful…

Just got back from our annual Thanksgiving dinner at church. Pretty good crowd, laid back affair. Love that turkey from HoneyBaked Hams! Although I’m pretty sure that glaze stuff on it negates all the benefits of low-fat protein that is turkey breast! Oh, well…Thanksgiving only comes once a year, right?

And since I had an unusual Sunday morning run this morning, I guess it’ll be OK.

Did I mention that the lovely and gracious “Mrs. Just Charlie” did an absolutely outstanding job setting up the Thanksgiving dinner?

And did I mention that I’m very, very thankful for her?

Oh, and “The Boy” found out that “GanGan Haddard” is a huge, rockstar-like celebrity in the big city of Rincon, Georgia. And he also found out that Milton from Office Space sings in the choir at my parents’ church. And he text-messaged that fact to me apparently during the middle of the service there. And I spewed coffee all over my desk! Too funny!

By the way, we get to see “The Boy” and “GanGan Haddard” and Granma on Wednesday! Over the river and through the woods, indeed…

My buddy Gary cracks me up.

I’m stepping into the shadow of greatness next Sunday, probably doing an inadequate job filling in for my buddy Tony. Can’t wait…

Dang, that “New World Symphony” is great!

Want a good laugh? Call your local Captain D’s or Long John Silvers. Tell the person who answers the phone early Sunday morning that you’re a local pastor and you want to know what they call their kid’s meal. Explain to the guy that you’re doing a little last-minute research for your message. No, really…go ahead…give it a try!

Oh, well…enough about my day…Dvořák and I and a cup of tea and Dr. Packer are out for now…

November 16, 2007 / 0 Comments

Mullet Ministries…

One of my buddies at the YMCA reported this morning on a conversation he had with his mom about Joel Osteen…

My mom’s 80 years old and she said, “The boy’s got a mullet! How can you even listen to someone who preaches with a mullet?!?!”

Too funny…especially hearing this particular guy tell it in his own inimitable style!

November 9, 2007 / 0 Comments

Blown Away by Old Technology…

liquid solutions bullet bottle

New gadgets are good. Real good. But this morning, I’m reminded of how the old stuff – old gadgets – ain’t too shabby either. Case in point: I’m continually amazed and grateful for something as simple as my Liquid Solutions Bullet Bottle (see above).

Yeah, yeah…it’s a Thermos, so what?

But it’s simple and elegant in design. And best of all..it works! I’m drinking hot! Sumatra from last night this morning…and it’ll be hot! Sumatra all day long, thanks to my bullet bottle.

Sometimes only the latest and greatest gadgets will do. But sometimes, the old, the simple, the tried-and-true are absolutely perfect for the task at hand.

November 9, 2007 / 0 Comments

Blown Away by Old Technology…

liquid solutions bullet bottle

New gadgets are good. Real good. But this morning, I’m reminded of how the old stuff – old gadgets – ain’t too shabby either. Case in point: I’m continually amazed and grateful for something as simple as my Liquid Solutions Bullet Bottle (see above).

Yeah, yeah…it’s a Thermos, so what?

But it’s simple and elegant in design. And best of all..it works! I’m drinking hot! Sumatra from last night this morning…and it’ll be hot! Sumatra all day long, thanks to my bullet bottle.

Sometimes only the latest and greatest gadgets will do. But sometimes, the old, the simple, the tried-and-true are absolutely perfect for the task at hand.

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