JoJo finished his seventh grade year...finally! He was so glad to get out of prison---that is what he called school. He always burned his notebooks on the last day of school---as soon as he got home. It was a tradition! When the ceremony was over, he could really start summer!
He loved several things about summer. He decided to list them out.
1. Sleeping late; 2. Playing baseball for the SRD (Smallville Rec. Department); 3. Hanging out with chicks; 4. Going swimming; 5. NO HOMEWORK; 6. Watching tons of television; 7. Family Vacation; 8. Going fishing; 9. Having fun with the Boys; 10. Visiting Aunt Sue---out in the country.
Sometimes, Dan ruined his day with a list of silly chores. Can't a guy be a kid? JoJo always thought. JoJo hated trimming the hedges more than anything. Last summer, he invaded a wasp nest. He got stung three times before he knew what hit him. Alice was panicky when she saw him swell up, but Dan rubbed some ointment on the bites. It took about 2 or 3 days before the swelling went down. Then there were the snakes. Moccasins to be exact. He had run up on at least one every summer since he was nine. Each time JoJo saw one, he became progressively more frightened of moccasins
This summer, JoJo decided he would seek God. He wasn't sure exactly what that meant, but he knew that the something missing from his life was God. Little did JoJo know that his father prayed the prayer: God, Help JoJo to seek you, almost every night. Dan prayed this over JoJo's sister, too. Dan knew Remi was a little young, but he allowed God to choose when to move in her life.
Dan suggested JoJo try UMYF, the Youth Fellowship at the church they attended. Surprisingly enough, JoJo decided to begin the first Sunday of summer. He really enjoyed UMYF! Mr. Faith was the leader, and he made JoJo feel welcome. Many people had shunned JoJo over the years. He knew they kinda had a right to, because he caused a lot of trouble. The kids at church did not seem to judge him either. Many of them talked about having hangups, and how they were glad they had been forgiven through Jesus' blood. That freaked JoJo ought! He wasn't sure the meaning of Forgiveness through Jesus' blood, but he was going to try his hardest to find out.
The band decided to take the summer off, and that was fine with JoJo. The band was going really well, but it was a lot of hard work! He wanted some Go Easy time.
As usual, he talked on the phone for hours each day. Much of the time was with Cindy. He couldn't believe he finally had a long lasting relationship. Nine Weeks! Their conversations were typical early-teen talk. Much to do about nothing; music; television; movies; and gossip. JoJo and Tommy had talked almost every day since they were eleven. This trend continued. The two topics they added to the typical early-teen girl/boy talk were other girls beside their girlfriends and lots of sports. In the middle of one of their conversations, JoJo invited Tommy to go to UMYF with him. Tommy agreed to go.
The next Sunday, June 17th, JoJo asked his dad to swing by Tommy's house on the way to UMYF. Dan almost wrecked!
He said, "A Wildfire is going to church?!"
"Dad, don't judge the Wildfires."
Dan tried to sidestep JoJo's comment..."I'm just saying, the Wildfires usually make fun of Christians and Church."
JoJo hit back with a wise response, "People can change, Dad!"
"Yes, they can, Son. Especially when God changes them!"
As the boys went into the church, Dan prayed, "O Gracious Father, JoJo is right ! You can change people. Forgive me for my judgmental attitude. I pray that you work through Mr. Faith tonight.. Reach every young person at UMYF this night!"
Friday, June 30, 2017
Thursday, June 29, 2017
4.3; The School Concert is a Hit!
April 30, 1973
Loudness had practiced long and hard for this big night. It was the Annual Smallville Jr. High Dance, and the group had increased their set to 10 songs.
This was their April 30th Set:
1. Saturday Night
2. Dream On
3. Band On the Run
4. I'll Have to Say I love You In A Song
5. Gimme Three Steps
6. Bad Bad Leroy Brown
7. Hooked On A Feeling
8. Bennie and the Jets
9. Midnight At The Oasis
10. Rock On
The group realized they needed 2 slow-dance songs, so they added "I'll Have to Say I love You.." and "Midnight..." They also decided their signature-ending song would be "Rock On" by David Essex. It was a good concert, but JoJo realized he needed another guitar to help him on some songs. Also, the guys didn't have the greatest of back up singers. However, the students seemed to enjoy themselves. This was confirmed afterwards as they were "mobbed" by their new fans! JoJo again thought This must be how Lynard Skynard feels! The guys hung out at the party for awhile. About 11:00, Dan showed up to get JoJo. His first thought was Lynard Skynard's parents don't pick them up after a concert! He quickly remembered he was thirteen!
JoJo's dad seemed to be excited. Weird...
"How was the concert, JoJo" (Little did JoJo know, but Dan listened to the entire concert from a secret vantage point in the school gym. He parked around the corner, and "appeared" to show up at 11:00.)
"Dad, it was the greatest night of my musical career!!"
"Baha!"
"Why you laughing, Dad?!!"
"I'm sorry, JoJo. This is only your SECOND concert."
"Oh... I see why you laughed. But, you know I have played imaginary concerts for 3 years."
Dan thought back to hitting the game winning hit in the World Series..thousands of times...in the back yard.
"Son, I'm sorry! This was a HUGE night for you, and I am proud of you!"
JoJo had not heard Dan say those words in 1973. As a matter of fact, he could not remember the last time Dan told him that he was proud of him.
"Dad, why are you so proud of me?"
"Son, many men go their entire life without fulfilling any dreams! You have fulfilled a big one at 13! You have worked extremely hard, plus you have kept your grades up. As a matter of fact, this is the best you've done in school in 2 years. And..."
"Why did you stop, Pop? You were making me sound really good!"
"Through all this, your Bible reading has increased." Dan hesitated because he did not want to turn JoJo off to the Bible or God. He knew fathers sometimes did that.
"Dad, I enjoy reading my Bible. And...I enjoy my Rock & Roll. Plus things with Cindy and me are going pretty good."
With relief, Dan responded, "Keep doing what you are doing, Son, because it's working." Dan really wanted to say Keep seeking the Lord, but he knew that opportunity would come---he could feel the Lord telling him that in his heart.
"I know it is late, but are you hungry?"
"Starving!"
"IHOP?"
JoJo laughed. "You know me well, Dad."
Dan used the pay phone outside to let Alice know the boys would be a little late tonight, and what a night it had been!
Loudness had practiced long and hard for this big night. It was the Annual Smallville Jr. High Dance, and the group had increased their set to 10 songs.
This was their April 30th Set:
1. Saturday Night
2. Dream On
3. Band On the Run
4. I'll Have to Say I love You In A Song
5. Gimme Three Steps
6. Bad Bad Leroy Brown
7. Hooked On A Feeling
8. Bennie and the Jets
9. Midnight At The Oasis
10. Rock On
The group realized they needed 2 slow-dance songs, so they added "I'll Have to Say I love You.." and "Midnight..." They also decided their signature-ending song would be "Rock On" by David Essex. It was a good concert, but JoJo realized he needed another guitar to help him on some songs. Also, the guys didn't have the greatest of back up singers. However, the students seemed to enjoy themselves. This was confirmed afterwards as they were "mobbed" by their new fans! JoJo again thought This must be how Lynard Skynard feels! The guys hung out at the party for awhile. About 11:00, Dan showed up to get JoJo. His first thought was Lynard Skynard's parents don't pick them up after a concert! He quickly remembered he was thirteen!
JoJo's dad seemed to be excited. Weird...
"How was the concert, JoJo" (Little did JoJo know, but Dan listened to the entire concert from a secret vantage point in the school gym. He parked around the corner, and "appeared" to show up at 11:00.)
"Dad, it was the greatest night of my musical career!!"
"Baha!"
"Why you laughing, Dad?!!"
"I'm sorry, JoJo. This is only your SECOND concert."
"Oh... I see why you laughed. But, you know I have played imaginary concerts for 3 years."
Dan thought back to hitting the game winning hit in the World Series..thousands of times...in the back yard.
"Son, I'm sorry! This was a HUGE night for you, and I am proud of you!"
JoJo had not heard Dan say those words in 1973. As a matter of fact, he could not remember the last time Dan told him that he was proud of him.
"Dad, why are you so proud of me?"
"Son, many men go their entire life without fulfilling any dreams! You have fulfilled a big one at 13! You have worked extremely hard, plus you have kept your grades up. As a matter of fact, this is the best you've done in school in 2 years. And..."
"Why did you stop, Pop? You were making me sound really good!"
"Through all this, your Bible reading has increased." Dan hesitated because he did not want to turn JoJo off to the Bible or God. He knew fathers sometimes did that.
"Dad, I enjoy reading my Bible. And...I enjoy my Rock & Roll. Plus things with Cindy and me are going pretty good."
With relief, Dan responded, "Keep doing what you are doing, Son, because it's working." Dan really wanted to say Keep seeking the Lord, but he knew that opportunity would come---he could feel the Lord telling him that in his heart.
"I know it is late, but are you hungry?"
"Starving!"
"IHOP?"
JoJo laughed. "You know me well, Dad."
Dan used the pay phone outside to let Alice know the boys would be a little late tonight, and what a night it had been!
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
4.2; JoJo Forms a Band
January 1973
JoJo was over Janie, and he decided to just play the field with the ladies. (In other words..no girls were interested in him at the present time.) Tommy and JoJo had been planning on starting a Rock Band for a few weeks now. JoJo played "by ear," so he already new about 10 songs. Tommy could play any song! They had a bass and guitar, so they figured all they needed was a drummer and a singer. Charlie Price went to Large County Jr. High, but they new him from playing baseball at Smallville Rec. Department. Charlie could tear up the drums. He played in the school band, and he had been part of a rock band previously. Charlie found out about JoJo and Tommy starting a new band. Charlie called JoJo.
"Hello."
"Hey JoJo, this is Charlie Price."
"How's it going, Charlie?!"
"Groovy man!"
"Oh. Brother," JoJo thought to himself. (How he hated that word...)
"I hear you and Tommy are starting a band."
"That's the plan. We need a drummer and a singer. Know anybody who plays drums?"
"Yes, I do, and he is interested in joining forces!" (Charlie was talking about himself of course.)
"Cooooool."
"I think I might know a singer if you guys want to give him a try."
"Who?!"
"Bob Walk."
"Oh yea. Didn't he used to sing with the Alarm Clocks?"
"He used to, but he quit late last year."
So, Charlie, Tommy, and JoJo had a meeting at JoJo's house. They talked things over about the band while they shot hoops. The fellers were all in agreement about the style of music and about inviting Bob. Sure enough, Bob was interested, and the new rock group, Loudness was formed! The boys practiced three nights a week and most Saturdays. They were pretty good. But, they caught a break that most bands do not get early in their careers. Johnny Ironside planned on having a big Valentine party at his house, and he asked Loudness to be the party's band!
Valentine's Day 1973
The guys were so excited.Their set included:
1. Dream On
2. Bennie and the Jets
3. Band on the Run
4. Bad Bad Leroy Brown
5. Rock On
6. Gimme Three Steps
7. Saturday Night
Honestly, they performed some songs better than others, but to their surprise...the kids loved them. The next day, they each got several phone calls of congratulations. To their surprise, some were girls! Somehow it never crossed their 13-year-old minds that girls would be attracted to them once they were Rockers!
Even Cindy called JoJo. He didn't play it quite as cool as he would like to, but he asked her to go to the movies that Friday night! He thought This must be how Lynard Synard feels.
Maybe the most exciting thing that happened to the band as a result of the Valentine's Day Concert was an invitation to play at the Smallville Jr. High Dance on April 30th. They had hit the big time after 1 concert. "Eat your heart out, Butch," JoJo said out loud...in his bedroom one night, when he was alone....
JoJo was over Janie, and he decided to just play the field with the ladies. (In other words..no girls were interested in him at the present time.) Tommy and JoJo had been planning on starting a Rock Band for a few weeks now. JoJo played "by ear," so he already new about 10 songs. Tommy could play any song! They had a bass and guitar, so they figured all they needed was a drummer and a singer. Charlie Price went to Large County Jr. High, but they new him from playing baseball at Smallville Rec. Department. Charlie could tear up the drums. He played in the school band, and he had been part of a rock band previously. Charlie found out about JoJo and Tommy starting a new band. Charlie called JoJo.
"Hello."
"Hey JoJo, this is Charlie Price."
"How's it going, Charlie?!"
"Groovy man!"
"Oh. Brother," JoJo thought to himself. (How he hated that word...)
"I hear you and Tommy are starting a band."
"That's the plan. We need a drummer and a singer. Know anybody who plays drums?"
"Yes, I do, and he is interested in joining forces!" (Charlie was talking about himself of course.)
"Cooooool."
"I think I might know a singer if you guys want to give him a try."
"Who?!"
"Bob Walk."
"Oh yea. Didn't he used to sing with the Alarm Clocks?"
"He used to, but he quit late last year."
So, Charlie, Tommy, and JoJo had a meeting at JoJo's house. They talked things over about the band while they shot hoops. The fellers were all in agreement about the style of music and about inviting Bob. Sure enough, Bob was interested, and the new rock group, Loudness was formed! The boys practiced three nights a week and most Saturdays. They were pretty good. But, they caught a break that most bands do not get early in their careers. Johnny Ironside planned on having a big Valentine party at his house, and he asked Loudness to be the party's band!
Valentine's Day 1973
The guys were so excited.Their set included:
1. Dream On
2. Bennie and the Jets
3. Band on the Run
4. Bad Bad Leroy Brown
5. Rock On
6. Gimme Three Steps
7. Saturday Night
Honestly, they performed some songs better than others, but to their surprise...the kids loved them. The next day, they each got several phone calls of congratulations. To their surprise, some were girls! Somehow it never crossed their 13-year-old minds that girls would be attracted to them once they were Rockers!
Even Cindy called JoJo. He didn't play it quite as cool as he would like to, but he asked her to go to the movies that Friday night! He thought This must be how Lynard Synard feels.
Maybe the most exciting thing that happened to the band as a result of the Valentine's Day Concert was an invitation to play at the Smallville Jr. High Dance on April 30th. They had hit the big time after 1 concert. "Eat your heart out, Butch," JoJo said out loud...in his bedroom one night, when he was alone....
Monday, June 26, 2017
JoJo 4.1; Momma said there would be days like this!
Dan often exclaimed, "Momma said there would be days like this!" JoJo had no idea what his dad meant until that fateful Jan. 1, 1973 when Janie broke up with him.
For a moment, JoJo thought to himself Grandma said there would be days like this.
But just as fast, he said to himself, I'm becoming a man now! Dad said so!
With every bit of boldness in his 5'3''; 105 pond body, JoJo picked up the phone by his bed and dialed Cindy's number!
"Hello," this sweet voice answered.
"Hey, Cindy, this is JoJo."
"Hi, JoJo. This actually Cindy's mother. I will get her for you."
JoJo was as red as his favorite team, the Georgia Bulldawgs' jerseys. Way to go Grown Man. JoJo felt like a boy in half of a second.
Fortunately, this strange year had it's benefits. His mood could change in 2.2 seconds. As soon as he heard Cindy's voice, he forgot that she even had a momma, much less the embarrassment he had just experienced.
"Hey, Cindy."
"Hey, JoJo. Ummmm, does Janie know you were going to call me?"
"Actually, Cindy....Janie and I are no longer a thing."
"Since when?"
"Well, I would say 10 minutes ago."
"And you called me to be your rebound gal? As if!"
To JoJo's disbelief, Cindy hung up the phone! Women, who can figure them out.
JoJo decided to rock with the Stones for a while. He fell asleep somewhere between Brown Sugar and Gimme Shelter. He woke up about 10 the next morning. Since school would not start back for another 2 days, he would enjoy his reprieve from getting up early. After he ate his blueberry Pop-Tarts, he picked up his Bible. He continued reading the Psalms. He didn't understand everything, but he seemed to be getting closer to understanding the concept of God. Either way, he was determined to read his Bible every day. (Little did JoJo know that his parents were daily praying for him and his sister.) Dan would even sneak in each of their rooms after they were asleep and say a prayer over them.
January 5, 1973
JoJo and his classmates returned to school. Everything was cool until he saw Butch and Janie walking down the hall. He had nowhere to go! JoJo stared straight ahead...hoping they would not see him. But, not so lucky.
"JoJo, my boy!" Butch practically yelled from 5 feet away."
"Oh hey Butch...Janie," as if he had not seen them.
Janie nodded, but didn't say a word. However, Butch wasn't quite so polite.
"Heard you struck out with Cindy," Butch said with this gross, ugly smirk on his face.
JoJo tried to laugh it off, but the noise sounded more like a cough.
"Hey, JoJo Boy--Don't worry! That's only 2 strikes. You got 1 more!" Then, Butch cackled so loudly, it caused other students to turn and look.
JoJo was furious. He was about to allow Butch to beat his butt, after he got in 1 good hit, of course. Then, his memory verse came pouring back to him.
Proverbs 2:12-13; 12. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. 13. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths.
JoJo stopped in his tracks. He looked at Butch for about 2 seconds, then responded, "Even if I get 3 strikes, I will have more innings to bat."
Butch managed a, "Huh." He and Janie kept walking to Health class.
JoJo prayed a Thank you, God! It was off to P.E. for him...wonder who be strike 3....
For a moment, JoJo thought to himself Grandma said there would be days like this.
But just as fast, he said to himself, I'm becoming a man now! Dad said so!
With every bit of boldness in his 5'3''; 105 pond body, JoJo picked up the phone by his bed and dialed Cindy's number!
"Hello," this sweet voice answered.
"Hey, Cindy, this is JoJo."
"Hi, JoJo. This actually Cindy's mother. I will get her for you."
JoJo was as red as his favorite team, the Georgia Bulldawgs' jerseys. Way to go Grown Man. JoJo felt like a boy in half of a second.
Fortunately, this strange year had it's benefits. His mood could change in 2.2 seconds. As soon as he heard Cindy's voice, he forgot that she even had a momma, much less the embarrassment he had just experienced.
"Hey, Cindy."
"Hey, JoJo. Ummmm, does Janie know you were going to call me?"
"Actually, Cindy....Janie and I are no longer a thing."
"Since when?"
"Well, I would say 10 minutes ago."
"And you called me to be your rebound gal? As if!"
To JoJo's disbelief, Cindy hung up the phone! Women, who can figure them out.
JoJo decided to rock with the Stones for a while. He fell asleep somewhere between Brown Sugar and Gimme Shelter. He woke up about 10 the next morning. Since school would not start back for another 2 days, he would enjoy his reprieve from getting up early. After he ate his blueberry Pop-Tarts, he picked up his Bible. He continued reading the Psalms. He didn't understand everything, but he seemed to be getting closer to understanding the concept of God. Either way, he was determined to read his Bible every day. (Little did JoJo know that his parents were daily praying for him and his sister.) Dan would even sneak in each of their rooms after they were asleep and say a prayer over them.
January 5, 1973
JoJo and his classmates returned to school. Everything was cool until he saw Butch and Janie walking down the hall. He had nowhere to go! JoJo stared straight ahead...hoping they would not see him. But, not so lucky.
"JoJo, my boy!" Butch practically yelled from 5 feet away."
"Oh hey Butch...Janie," as if he had not seen them.
Janie nodded, but didn't say a word. However, Butch wasn't quite so polite.
"Heard you struck out with Cindy," Butch said with this gross, ugly smirk on his face.
JoJo tried to laugh it off, but the noise sounded more like a cough.
"Hey, JoJo Boy--Don't worry! That's only 2 strikes. You got 1 more!" Then, Butch cackled so loudly, it caused other students to turn and look.
JoJo was furious. He was about to allow Butch to beat his butt, after he got in 1 good hit, of course. Then, his memory verse came pouring back to him.
Proverbs 2:12-13; 12. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. 13. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths.
JoJo stopped in his tracks. He looked at Butch for about 2 seconds, then responded, "Even if I get 3 strikes, I will have more innings to bat."
Butch managed a, "Huh." He and Janie kept walking to Health class.
JoJo prayed a Thank you, God! It was off to P.E. for him...wonder who be strike 3....
Thursday, June 22, 2017
JoJo 3.4; ROCK MUSIC
December 30, 1972
JoJo had a nice stereo system in his room. He had 8-Track, album, and radio capability, but he preferred AM Hit Radio. He loved his nightly routine of listening to big-time radio stations. He listened to WGT Radio out of Charlotte and WOWO Radio out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. JoJo was amazed that stations so far away were blasting in his bedroom. He preferred "Bubble-Gum" music or Pop Hits until 12-30-1972. His music taste would take a drastic change when Tommy brought over some Rock & Roll albums. Groups included: Grand Funk Railroad, The Doobie Brothers, and The Rolling Stones. JoJo was spell bound! He and Tommy listened for hours! It was cold that day anyway, so it did not bother him that they were not out playing. Finally, Tommy's mother called for him to go home for supper.
To JoJo's surprise, Tommy said, "You can borrow one album."
"Rolling Stones!"
"Cool. See you tomorrow, JoJo."
"Right on, and thanks for letting me listen...find out about this kind of music."
JoJo wore out the Stones that night. Of course, he took time out to call Janie. They were officially "Girlfriend-Boyfriend" now. He thought back to the night after Christmas when they met at the Pizza Hut.
"That's where it all began," JoJo thought to himself as if he had already married the girl.
The next day was New Year's Day. He finished raking the leaves that morning. Dan always said the yard had to be completely raked by January 1st, so JoJo had a tradition of finishing the raking on the morning of the first day of the year. The Bowl games began at 1:00, so he had to hurry. The game he was looking forward to was the Sugar Bowl! Auburn was playing Oklahoma. He didn't really like either team, but he knew it would be fun to watch. His favorite team, Georgia defeated North Carolina 7 to 3 in the Gator Bowl the day before. (Just prior to JoJo becoming a Rock Fan!)
Tommy and Dallas were supposed to come watch the games, but they went to Butch the Bully's house to watch the games. That hurt! JoJo did NOT like Mr. The Bully!
"Knock yourselves out," he thought. Georgia won, I'm a Rocker, and I have the hottest girl at Smallville Jr. High as my girlfriend! About that time, Janie called and said she wanted to break up.
"I'm sorry, JoJo. I guess I am not ready for a long relationship."
"Loooong?!! It's only been 2 weeks!"
"Well, there is one more thing..."
"Spill it, Janie," JoJo said as he was getting perturbed.
"I like Butch."
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! JoJo could NOT believe the words he just heard uttered! However, he remembered Dan's little talk about girls. He told JoJo to NEVER let the girl see ya sweat. At the time, he thought, Whatever old man. Now he KNEW.
"I appreciate your honesty. I can't say I share your taste this time, but I hope y'all will be happy."
"That's All you have to say?"
JoJo thought for a moment..."You are a classy girl, Janie. But, sometimes relationships don't work." WOW, he thought. I played that off.
"Well, I will still see ya at school, right?"
JoJo thought Janie was about to boohoo. "Sure."
They told each other Bye. Now, it was his time to boohoo, but instead he called Cindy!
JoJo had a nice stereo system in his room. He had 8-Track, album, and radio capability, but he preferred AM Hit Radio. He loved his nightly routine of listening to big-time radio stations. He listened to WGT Radio out of Charlotte and WOWO Radio out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. JoJo was amazed that stations so far away were blasting in his bedroom. He preferred "Bubble-Gum" music or Pop Hits until 12-30-1972. His music taste would take a drastic change when Tommy brought over some Rock & Roll albums. Groups included: Grand Funk Railroad, The Doobie Brothers, and The Rolling Stones. JoJo was spell bound! He and Tommy listened for hours! It was cold that day anyway, so it did not bother him that they were not out playing. Finally, Tommy's mother called for him to go home for supper.
To JoJo's surprise, Tommy said, "You can borrow one album."
"Rolling Stones!"
"Cool. See you tomorrow, JoJo."
"Right on, and thanks for letting me listen...find out about this kind of music."
JoJo wore out the Stones that night. Of course, he took time out to call Janie. They were officially "Girlfriend-Boyfriend" now. He thought back to the night after Christmas when they met at the Pizza Hut.
"That's where it all began," JoJo thought to himself as if he had already married the girl.
The next day was New Year's Day. He finished raking the leaves that morning. Dan always said the yard had to be completely raked by January 1st, so JoJo had a tradition of finishing the raking on the morning of the first day of the year. The Bowl games began at 1:00, so he had to hurry. The game he was looking forward to was the Sugar Bowl! Auburn was playing Oklahoma. He didn't really like either team, but he knew it would be fun to watch. His favorite team, Georgia defeated North Carolina 7 to 3 in the Gator Bowl the day before. (Just prior to JoJo becoming a Rock Fan!)
Tommy and Dallas were supposed to come watch the games, but they went to Butch the Bully's house to watch the games. That hurt! JoJo did NOT like Mr. The Bully!
"Knock yourselves out," he thought. Georgia won, I'm a Rocker, and I have the hottest girl at Smallville Jr. High as my girlfriend! About that time, Janie called and said she wanted to break up.
"I'm sorry, JoJo. I guess I am not ready for a long relationship."
"Loooong?!! It's only been 2 weeks!"
"Well, there is one more thing..."
"Spill it, Janie," JoJo said as he was getting perturbed.
"I like Butch."
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! JoJo could NOT believe the words he just heard uttered! However, he remembered Dan's little talk about girls. He told JoJo to NEVER let the girl see ya sweat. At the time, he thought, Whatever old man. Now he KNEW.
"I appreciate your honesty. I can't say I share your taste this time, but I hope y'all will be happy."
"That's All you have to say?"
JoJo thought for a moment..."You are a classy girl, Janie. But, sometimes relationships don't work." WOW, he thought. I played that off.
"Well, I will still see ya at school, right?"
JoJo thought Janie was about to boohoo. "Sure."
They told each other Bye. Now, it was his time to boohoo, but instead he called Cindy!
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
JoJo 3.3; Christmas Day 1972
December 25, 1972
JoJo was thankful for another wonderful Christmas. He also had reason to celebrate being released from Dan and Alice's Local Prison Ward, which they called Being on Restriction. It was not all bad. JoJo really enjoyed reading Proverbs. He couldn't believe the Bible talked about an "immoral woman." Wow! What was really cool was learning stuff God wanted him to know, and he liked it.
He really liked one set of memory verses: Proverbs 2:12-13. They read, Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. At first, he associated those words with Sammy Smart Mouth. Later, he realized these words described some of his actions over the last "weird" year. Somehow, it lit a fire under JoJo to not be that evil man, but to stand for right.
Back to his wonderful Christmas, he loved his presents! His nerf-ball gun with 3 nerf balls had been shot about 100 times already. Man, than Evil Knievel Stunt Cycle was the envy of the neighborhood! (As far as JoJo was concerned, Christmas was all about getting the best gifts.) His favorite present was a call from Janie. She wanted to know what presents he got, and he asked her the same question. The best part was her inquiry about his Being on Restriction status.
JoJo said, "Oh, I'm off."
"Great, are you going to Pizza Hut tomorrow night?" (That was the local hangout for Jr. High kids.)
"Are you going?"
"I might..."
"I think I'll be there."
"OK! See ya tomorrow night!"
JoJo thought to himself, I really don't get girls' thinking.
That afternoon--after JoJo was free from all family functions, he took off for Tommy's house. Several kids were already there, and had begun to play football.
"Game's locked until someone else comes to make the teams fair, JoJo," Butch the Bully called out.
"Whatever, Butch." JoJo really didn't like that punk.
In about 3 minutes, Dallas (You got it...a boy who moved to Smallville from Dallas) showed up.
"Unlock the gate, fellas!" (That meant that JoJo and Dallas could get in the game.)
Butch immediately yelled out, "We want Dallas!"
JoJo mock Butch, "We want Dallas"
Butch fired back, "Watch it, JoJo. I will squash you."
JoJo...now an All-Pro Smart Mouth said, "Who uses the word: Squash?" "Wait, I know Chumps Are Us...Shawhawa!" JoJo had his daddy's silly laugh.
Butch ran up to JoJo and tackled him! "Game is DEFINITELY Unlocked."
JoJo's big mouth was not as big as Butch. He felt like a truck hit him.
The other guys were falling over laughing, even Tommy.
JoJo's mind is racing. What do I do? If I try to fight that punk, he will kill me. However, I do know words that will bust his butt. Suddenly JoJo remember a message from Proverbs...He didn't remember the exact location. (It was Proverbs 3:7-8.) However, the words washed over him.
Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
JoJo bounced up and surprised everyone, including himself, by saying: "Nice hit Butchie Boy! I am ready to play some ball, now."
"Well alright Joey Boy, let's do it!"
JoJo had no idea what just happened, except the Bible had just helped him to not have broken bones!!
JoJo was thankful for another wonderful Christmas. He also had reason to celebrate being released from Dan and Alice's Local Prison Ward, which they called Being on Restriction. It was not all bad. JoJo really enjoyed reading Proverbs. He couldn't believe the Bible talked about an "immoral woman." Wow! What was really cool was learning stuff God wanted him to know, and he liked it.
He really liked one set of memory verses: Proverbs 2:12-13. They read, Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. At first, he associated those words with Sammy Smart Mouth. Later, he realized these words described some of his actions over the last "weird" year. Somehow, it lit a fire under JoJo to not be that evil man, but to stand for right.
Back to his wonderful Christmas, he loved his presents! His nerf-ball gun with 3 nerf balls had been shot about 100 times already. Man, than Evil Knievel Stunt Cycle was the envy of the neighborhood! (As far as JoJo was concerned, Christmas was all about getting the best gifts.) His favorite present was a call from Janie. She wanted to know what presents he got, and he asked her the same question. The best part was her inquiry about his Being on Restriction status.
JoJo said, "Oh, I'm off."
"Great, are you going to Pizza Hut tomorrow night?" (That was the local hangout for Jr. High kids.)
"Are you going?"
"I might..."
"I think I'll be there."
"OK! See ya tomorrow night!"
JoJo thought to himself, I really don't get girls' thinking.
That afternoon--after JoJo was free from all family functions, he took off for Tommy's house. Several kids were already there, and had begun to play football.
"Game's locked until someone else comes to make the teams fair, JoJo," Butch the Bully called out.
"Whatever, Butch." JoJo really didn't like that punk.
In about 3 minutes, Dallas (You got it...a boy who moved to Smallville from Dallas) showed up.
"Unlock the gate, fellas!" (That meant that JoJo and Dallas could get in the game.)
Butch immediately yelled out, "We want Dallas!"
JoJo mock Butch, "We want Dallas"
Butch fired back, "Watch it, JoJo. I will squash you."
JoJo...now an All-Pro Smart Mouth said, "Who uses the word: Squash?" "Wait, I know Chumps Are Us...Shawhawa!" JoJo had his daddy's silly laugh.
Butch ran up to JoJo and tackled him! "Game is DEFINITELY Unlocked."
JoJo's big mouth was not as big as Butch. He felt like a truck hit him.
The other guys were falling over laughing, even Tommy.
JoJo's mind is racing. What do I do? If I try to fight that punk, he will kill me. However, I do know words that will bust his butt. Suddenly JoJo remember a message from Proverbs...He didn't remember the exact location. (It was Proverbs 3:7-8.) However, the words washed over him.
Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
JoJo bounced up and surprised everyone, including himself, by saying: "Nice hit Butchie Boy! I am ready to play some ball, now."
"Well alright Joey Boy, let's do it!"
JoJo had no idea what just happened, except the Bible had just helped him to not have broken bones!!
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
JoJo 3.2; Suspension Aftermath
When Alice and Dan were finished praying, they discussed JoJo's consequences for his part of the fight at school.
Dan began, "I really believe Proverbs will be the best verses to guide him in this case."
Alice responded, "I was just thinking about how my father used Proverbs to help instruct my brothers when they were young. But, what about punishments, Dan?"
"Oh yea, there is that." "Honey, do you mind if we allow JoJo to tell his side of the story before we issue consequences?"
"Sounds like a good idea."
About that time, JoJo ambles in with his head hanging low.
"Hi, Mom." "Hi, Dad."
Alice opened things, "JoJo, we understand you had some trouble today."
"I'll say." "Are you guys mad?!"
Now it was Dan's turn, "Son, we are not mad, but we certainly are not pleased."
Alice followed with, "JoJo we have prayed about this, and talked it over. Your father thought it would be a good idea to hear your side of the story, and I agree."
"Thanks for praying and wanting to hear my side. It all went down like this...JoJo proceeded to tell every detail beginning with his new record, Puppy Love getting broken. He smiled when he described hitting Sammy Smart Mouth in the nose. He was proud of Tommy for helping him. And, he saved his description of using "choice" words until the end.
"JoJo, why don't you go up to your room and let your mother and I talk this over," Dan responded.
JoJo walked upstairs like a little puppy, or maybe like a prisoner going back to his cell.
"Let's look at Proverbs, Alice." "I pray the Lord continues to guide us!"
"Amen!"
As they sought the scriptures, they decide JoJo would read the first 5 chapters. They also, chose 3 memory verses.
Now for a little deterrent for his actions.
Alice said, "JoJo was just defending himself. Besides, that Little Sammy bad mouthed me!!"
"Well, I agree with you about the disrespect for JoJo's mother." "However..."
"Yes," Alice said with a hint of agitation.
"JoJo started the fight." "He also used profanity several times."
"Hmmmm. What if Sammy would have said something about you?!"
"I would not have liked it, but it does not change the facts."
"So how are we going to punish him?"
"I think he is too old to whip. I like the idea of grounding him."
"Go on." Alice was listening before she gave her opinion.
"I think he should not be allowed to leave the house on the weekends for a month."
"I agree." "What about phone usage?"
"That is a tough one." "Honestly, I want him to be able to talk to girls."
"Really?"
"Yes, his hormones are kicking!" "To cut off all contact with females would be cruel and unjust punishment!"
"Spoken like a man." Alice smiled. "I think the Proverbs and grounding is enough."
Dan called JoJo downstairs. Together, Alice and Dan told JoJo their decision.
"Sounds fair. Thanks." "What part of Proverbs do you want me to read?"
"You will read Proverbs 1 on Day 1. Proverbs 2 on Day 2. This pattern will continue on days 3, 4, and 5. On Day 6, you will discussed your readings with your mother and me."
"Sounds good."
Dan continued, "And you have 3 sets of verses to memorize in the next month."
Alice said, "Here are your verses...write them down. Proverbs 3:3-4; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 2:12-13."
"I hate to ask...what about the phone?"
Dan almost smiled, "You can use the phone, JoJo."
"Thanks, Mom and Dad!" A month without talking to Janie would be unbearable!!
Dan began, "I really believe Proverbs will be the best verses to guide him in this case."
Alice responded, "I was just thinking about how my father used Proverbs to help instruct my brothers when they were young. But, what about punishments, Dan?"
"Oh yea, there is that." "Honey, do you mind if we allow JoJo to tell his side of the story before we issue consequences?"
"Sounds like a good idea."
About that time, JoJo ambles in with his head hanging low.
"Hi, Mom." "Hi, Dad."
Alice opened things, "JoJo, we understand you had some trouble today."
"I'll say." "Are you guys mad?!"
Now it was Dan's turn, "Son, we are not mad, but we certainly are not pleased."
Alice followed with, "JoJo we have prayed about this, and talked it over. Your father thought it would be a good idea to hear your side of the story, and I agree."
"Thanks for praying and wanting to hear my side. It all went down like this...JoJo proceeded to tell every detail beginning with his new record, Puppy Love getting broken. He smiled when he described hitting Sammy Smart Mouth in the nose. He was proud of Tommy for helping him. And, he saved his description of using "choice" words until the end.
"JoJo, why don't you go up to your room and let your mother and I talk this over," Dan responded.
JoJo walked upstairs like a little puppy, or maybe like a prisoner going back to his cell.
"Let's look at Proverbs, Alice." "I pray the Lord continues to guide us!"
"Amen!"
As they sought the scriptures, they decide JoJo would read the first 5 chapters. They also, chose 3 memory verses.
Now for a little deterrent for his actions.
Alice said, "JoJo was just defending himself. Besides, that Little Sammy bad mouthed me!!"
"Well, I agree with you about the disrespect for JoJo's mother." "However..."
"Yes," Alice said with a hint of agitation.
"JoJo started the fight." "He also used profanity several times."
"Hmmmm. What if Sammy would have said something about you?!"
"I would not have liked it, but it does not change the facts."
"So how are we going to punish him?"
"I think he is too old to whip. I like the idea of grounding him."
"Go on." Alice was listening before she gave her opinion.
"I think he should not be allowed to leave the house on the weekends for a month."
"I agree." "What about phone usage?"
"That is a tough one." "Honestly, I want him to be able to talk to girls."
"Really?"
"Yes, his hormones are kicking!" "To cut off all contact with females would be cruel and unjust punishment!"
"Spoken like a man." Alice smiled. "I think the Proverbs and grounding is enough."
Dan called JoJo downstairs. Together, Alice and Dan told JoJo their decision.
"Sounds fair. Thanks." "What part of Proverbs do you want me to read?"
"You will read Proverbs 1 on Day 1. Proverbs 2 on Day 2. This pattern will continue on days 3, 4, and 5. On Day 6, you will discussed your readings with your mother and me."
"Sounds good."
Dan continued, "And you have 3 sets of verses to memorize in the next month."
Alice said, "Here are your verses...write them down. Proverbs 3:3-4; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 2:12-13."
"I hate to ask...what about the phone?"
Dan almost smiled, "You can use the phone, JoJo."
"Thanks, Mom and Dad!" A month without talking to Janie would be unbearable!!
Monday, June 19, 2017
JoJo 3.1
As Dan got off the phone with Principal Mr. Boss, he was furious! His first thought was selfish...My own reputation is blown up! He quickly felt the Lord reminding him that this was about JoJo. And after all, Jesus was the only reason "good" was anywhere near Disciple Dan's name and reputation being combined!
"Men...we do fight PRIDE!" Dan thought.
"Suspension"...as Dan continued to think..."This calls for major consequences at home! First, his phone line is out of his room. As far as Tommy...I hope we never see him again, or his loudmouth Wildfire daddy!"
Suddenly, Dan remembered his devotion from that morning.
It was about a man who pushed and pushed his son until he left at the age of 18 years-old (23 years ago), and he never came back. But the verse used as the text really stuck out.
Proverbs 6:4 (ESV) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
It was then that Dan made a decision he had never made before...really 2 decisions.
First, he asked Gail, his secretary to take over for the rest of the day. (Her job title did not match her job description. Gail could do everything at the Hardware Store except for sign Dan's names on checks.)
"Dan, it is only 1:00! Do you feel OK?"
"I have a family semi-emergency, but nothing serious."
"I've got everything here, please do what you need to do."
"I don't say it near enough, Gail, but I am so grateful that I can trust you!"
"Dan, it's all in a day's work!"
The second new thing for Dan: praying before issuing a consequence to JoJo. He decided he wanted Alice to pray with him. When Dan arrived at home, he was surprised to find Alice in the kitchen, cleaning up after lunch.
"Alice, you must be feeling pretty good!"
"Honey, I feel like 5 dollars!" She laughed...she was quite away from feeling like a million.
"That is better than feeling like a quarter!" Dan was slightly corny, but Alice always laughed at his lame jokes.
Alice suddenly realized it was early afternoon. She asked, "Is everything OK, Hon?"
"Alice, Mr. Boss just called me, and JoJo has been suspended for 3 days."
"Two questions: 1. For what reason is he suspended? and 2. Why are you so calm?"
"He was fighting."
"WHAT??!!"
"Alice, boys sometimes get into fights."
Alice had 3 brothers and quickly realized Dan was right.
"The reason I am here early and calm is because of (he spelled it out) G.O.D."
"I don't understand."
"Alice, would you pray with me about the way we are going to handle the consequences for this situation?"
For the first time in years, Dan and Alice prayed together.
Dan began, "Father forgive us for not trusting You with JoJo like we should. Forgive me for reacting with selfish pride instead of seeking your Word when it comes to things like this fight. Guide us."
Alice continued, "Oh Lord, how merciful you have been to us. Thank you that I could get out of bed today! We love you, and we love our son, JoJo. Please guide us in this matter of helping him become a Christian young man."
"Men...we do fight PRIDE!" Dan thought.
"Suspension"...as Dan continued to think..."This calls for major consequences at home! First, his phone line is out of his room. As far as Tommy...I hope we never see him again, or his loudmouth Wildfire daddy!"
Suddenly, Dan remembered his devotion from that morning.
It was about a man who pushed and pushed his son until he left at the age of 18 years-old (23 years ago), and he never came back. But the verse used as the text really stuck out.
Proverbs 6:4 (ESV) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
It was then that Dan made a decision he had never made before...really 2 decisions.
First, he asked Gail, his secretary to take over for the rest of the day. (Her job title did not match her job description. Gail could do everything at the Hardware Store except for sign Dan's names on checks.)
"Dan, it is only 1:00! Do you feel OK?"
"I have a family semi-emergency, but nothing serious."
"I've got everything here, please do what you need to do."
"I don't say it near enough, Gail, but I am so grateful that I can trust you!"
"Dan, it's all in a day's work!"
The second new thing for Dan: praying before issuing a consequence to JoJo. He decided he wanted Alice to pray with him. When Dan arrived at home, he was surprised to find Alice in the kitchen, cleaning up after lunch.
"Alice, you must be feeling pretty good!"
"Honey, I feel like 5 dollars!" She laughed...she was quite away from feeling like a million.
"That is better than feeling like a quarter!" Dan was slightly corny, but Alice always laughed at his lame jokes.
Alice suddenly realized it was early afternoon. She asked, "Is everything OK, Hon?"
"Alice, Mr. Boss just called me, and JoJo has been suspended for 3 days."
"Two questions: 1. For what reason is he suspended? and 2. Why are you so calm?"
"He was fighting."
"WHAT??!!"
"Alice, boys sometimes get into fights."
Alice had 3 brothers and quickly realized Dan was right.
"The reason I am here early and calm is because of (he spelled it out) G.O.D."
"I don't understand."
"Alice, would you pray with me about the way we are going to handle the consequences for this situation?"
For the first time in years, Dan and Alice prayed together.
Dan began, "Father forgive us for not trusting You with JoJo like we should. Forgive me for reacting with selfish pride instead of seeking your Word when it comes to things like this fight. Guide us."
Alice continued, "Oh Lord, how merciful you have been to us. Thank you that I could get out of bed today! We love you, and we love our son, JoJo. Please guide us in this matter of helping him become a Christian young man."
Saturday, June 17, 2017
A New Chapter at Vidalia First United Methodist Church
As we enter a new chapter in our church's 126 year history, it is much like any change. It is tough to let go and difficult to grab hold of the unknown future. As I struggle with this, God is helping me. Today, God had given me an excitement for the new! I am so thankful Jim and Diane Smith are coming to lead our church! God has come before them, and He will be here with them...every step of the way. Psalm 37:23; The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) PRAISE GOD!!!
That does not mean God is stale! God is fresh!
Over and over in the Psalms, He says, "Sing to me a new song."
2 Corinthians 3:17; Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 5:13; For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
As we enter this new chapter in our church in freedom from the Lord, let us seek Him for His plans! Only God knows the plans He has for our part of the Body of Christ! I do know this lesson He is presently teaching me:
To seek the Lord.
This is a call to daily seek Him prior to seeking me.
This is a call to daily seek Him prior to seeking others' advice.
This is a call for committees to seek Him prior to seeking members' opinions.
This is a call for our staff to seek Him prior to anything they do.
Finally, one of the many cool things about God is His desire to involve His people in His Holy Work.
Our first job is to PRAY.
Our second job is to PRAY!
Our third job is to PRAY!!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) PRAISE GOD!!!
That does not mean God is stale! God is fresh!
Over and over in the Psalms, He says, "Sing to me a new song."
2 Corinthians 3:17; Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 5:13; For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
As we enter this new chapter in our church in freedom from the Lord, let us seek Him for His plans! Only God knows the plans He has for our part of the Body of Christ! I do know this lesson He is presently teaching me:
To seek the Lord.
This is a call to daily seek Him prior to seeking me.
This is a call to daily seek Him prior to seeking others' advice.
This is a call for committees to seek Him prior to seeking members' opinions.
This is a call for our staff to seek Him prior to anything they do.
Finally, one of the many cool things about God is His desire to involve His people in His Holy Work.
Our first job is to PRAY.
Our second job is to PRAY!
Our third job is to PRAY!!
Thursday, June 15, 2017
JoJo 2.3; A Record Broken!
December 1972
JoJo was feeling bold. He just bought a record, Puppy Love by Donny Osmond. For some reason he brought it to Smallville Jr. High School. This was against school policy, but JoJo was accustomed to doing things "new" this year. He often had no reason. He just did it. As JoJo was showing off his record to Tommy between classes, Sammy Smart Mouth came up to him and took the record.
"Give it back, Sammy."
"Or what?" Sammy was flanked on his left by Ralph the Giant (He was 5'9") and on his right by Keith the Head Knocker. (Keith once beat up 3 dudes by himself.)
Sammy broke JoJo's new record, then released this evil grin.
"You *#@**&%@"
"Ohhhhh! JoJo knows some bad words."
"I know you are a *%&^" for breaking my record."
"Oh, I didn't know that was your record. I thought it was Alice's"
Sammy had crossed the line. He was now talking about JoJo's momma!
JoJo was so mad...he said, "*&(^%$#$@"
All the boys laughed. However, Sammy was not laughing. He retorted, "If anybody is going to be a smart mouth, it will be ME!"
Which made the other boys give a collective "Oooooooo."
JoJo surprised himself. Before he knew it, he had balled up his fist and hit Sammy right in the nose.
Sammy was stunned. He told his crew, "Get him!"
A no-rules scrap broke out! Tommy and JoJo tried to fight the Giant and the Head Knocker, but they got pulverized!
Finally, JoJo yelled, "That's enough, Tommy!" "Let em go!"
This stunned everyone. To the surprise of JoJo (and a grateful Tommy), their opponents backed off. As JoJo proudly began spouting off more commands, he felt a tug at his shirt. His teacher, Mr. Stank and the school's principal, Mr. Boss were there to break up this battle. No wonder their opponents had backed off.
There was blood all over the floor. However, it was all from Sammy's nose. JoJo had never seen Sammy Big Mouth like this. First, he wasn't talking. Next, he looked sheepish. The 5 boys were herded into the principal's office. JoJo had never felt so much pride as onlookers were pointing and mumbling.
JoJo's pride turned to fear as Mr. Boss said the dreaded word, Suspension! JoJo immediately thought about Dan and the lessons he had been trying to teach him. He hated the thought of Dan's disappointment. But, it was too late. All five culprits were given three days of out-of-school suspension. JoJo's first though: MATH!! He had brought his grade up to a 77, but zeroes would place him in the failing category again.
What was worse, JoJo felt this guilt feeling of all those bad words he had said! He really didn't know what to do about that feeling. Once his dad calmed down...he would ask him.
JoJo was feeling bold. He just bought a record, Puppy Love by Donny Osmond. For some reason he brought it to Smallville Jr. High School. This was against school policy, but JoJo was accustomed to doing things "new" this year. He often had no reason. He just did it. As JoJo was showing off his record to Tommy between classes, Sammy Smart Mouth came up to him and took the record.
"Give it back, Sammy."
"Or what?" Sammy was flanked on his left by Ralph the Giant (He was 5'9") and on his right by Keith the Head Knocker. (Keith once beat up 3 dudes by himself.)
Sammy broke JoJo's new record, then released this evil grin.
"You *#@**&%@"
"Ohhhhh! JoJo knows some bad words."
"I know you are a *%&^" for breaking my record."
"Oh, I didn't know that was your record. I thought it was Alice's"
Sammy had crossed the line. He was now talking about JoJo's momma!
JoJo was so mad...he said, "*&(^%$#$@"
All the boys laughed. However, Sammy was not laughing. He retorted, "If anybody is going to be a smart mouth, it will be ME!"
Which made the other boys give a collective "Oooooooo."
JoJo surprised himself. Before he knew it, he had balled up his fist and hit Sammy right in the nose.
Sammy was stunned. He told his crew, "Get him!"
A no-rules scrap broke out! Tommy and JoJo tried to fight the Giant and the Head Knocker, but they got pulverized!
Finally, JoJo yelled, "That's enough, Tommy!" "Let em go!"
This stunned everyone. To the surprise of JoJo (and a grateful Tommy), their opponents backed off. As JoJo proudly began spouting off more commands, he felt a tug at his shirt. His teacher, Mr. Stank and the school's principal, Mr. Boss were there to break up this battle. No wonder their opponents had backed off.
There was blood all over the floor. However, it was all from Sammy's nose. JoJo had never seen Sammy Big Mouth like this. First, he wasn't talking. Next, he looked sheepish. The 5 boys were herded into the principal's office. JoJo had never felt so much pride as onlookers were pointing and mumbling.
JoJo's pride turned to fear as Mr. Boss said the dreaded word, Suspension! JoJo immediately thought about Dan and the lessons he had been trying to teach him. He hated the thought of Dan's disappointment. But, it was too late. All five culprits were given three days of out-of-school suspension. JoJo's first though: MATH!! He had brought his grade up to a 77, but zeroes would place him in the failing category again.
What was worse, JoJo felt this guilt feeling of all those bad words he had said! He really didn't know what to do about that feeling. Once his dad calmed down...he would ask him.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
JoJo 2.2; Best Friend Moves!
JoJo never remembered a time when he didn't remember Bob! He and Tommy had been JoJo's best friends since birth. Then he got the news...Bob is moving!! At first, he thought it was a prank. He couldn't imagine life without Bob. But, he heard it again. And again. Finally, Bob called to tell him he was moving to Austin, Texas.
JoJo was holding back tears. "Why Austin?"
Bob said, "My daddy is tired of being a plumber."
Bob came from a long line of plumbers going back to his great-grandpa. Bob was already studying and working to be a plumber, too.
Bob contiuned, "Do you remember my Uncle Dusty, the Wrassler?"
"Of course!" Bob's Uncle Dusty Rhodes was an up and coming wrestler. He had not hit the big time yet, but there were rumors that he would be a part Georgia Championship Wrestling within the next few months.
"Well, Uncle Dusty called daddy and asked him to be his manager."
"You mean we will get to see him on television?!"
"No, he will help him with his money."
"Are you really leaving, Bob?"
"Fraid so, Pal! I am going to study to be a Master Plumber with my GrandPa in Austin! But, I sure will miss you! Hey, my other Granny will be here, and they said I could come visit her!"
"Man, I hope you come a lot."
"Does Tommy know?"
"I'm not sure. I am fixin to call him."
"I hope the 3 of us can go fishing before you leave."
"We will. I guess I better call Tommy." The boys hung up.
When Dan got home, JoJo was in his room.
"Hey Sport, are you sick?"
"No, I'm sad..."
"What's going on?"
"Bob is moving."
"JoJo, I didn't know. He has been a good friend to you for a long time."
"All our life!" JoJo finally breaks down and the tears flow.
"I am sure he will come visit his grandmother."
"Maybe...Dad, I need a Bible verse to help me! Do you have one?"
"I will be back in a few minutes."
Dan goes to the bedroom. He prays, "Father, thank you for my son." "Please show me a verse that will help him."
At first, Dan googled "Friendship." Then, he recalled Romans 8:28. It would be on target.
"JoJo, I think the verse Romans 8:28 will help."
"I knew you would come through, Dad." "Do you mind if I read it by myself? I kinda want to be alone."
"Sure, JoJo." "I will let you know when supper's ready."
JoJo loved the New Living Translation. He still was struggling to get some of this God stuff, but he was searching. When he found the verse, he decided to write it in a notebook.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
"Wow, that is a really cool verse."
JoJo whispered, "Thank you, God. And, please help Bob. Amen"
JoJo was holding back tears. "Why Austin?"
Bob said, "My daddy is tired of being a plumber."
Bob came from a long line of plumbers going back to his great-grandpa. Bob was already studying and working to be a plumber, too.
Bob contiuned, "Do you remember my Uncle Dusty, the Wrassler?"
"Of course!" Bob's Uncle Dusty Rhodes was an up and coming wrestler. He had not hit the big time yet, but there were rumors that he would be a part Georgia Championship Wrestling within the next few months.
"Well, Uncle Dusty called daddy and asked him to be his manager."
"You mean we will get to see him on television?!"
"No, he will help him with his money."
"Are you really leaving, Bob?"
"Fraid so, Pal! I am going to study to be a Master Plumber with my GrandPa in Austin! But, I sure will miss you! Hey, my other Granny will be here, and they said I could come visit her!"
"Man, I hope you come a lot."
"Does Tommy know?"
"I'm not sure. I am fixin to call him."
"I hope the 3 of us can go fishing before you leave."
"We will. I guess I better call Tommy." The boys hung up.
When Dan got home, JoJo was in his room.
"Hey Sport, are you sick?"
"No, I'm sad..."
"What's going on?"
"Bob is moving."
"JoJo, I didn't know. He has been a good friend to you for a long time."
"All our life!" JoJo finally breaks down and the tears flow.
"I am sure he will come visit his grandmother."
"Maybe...Dad, I need a Bible verse to help me! Do you have one?"
"I will be back in a few minutes."
Dan goes to the bedroom. He prays, "Father, thank you for my son." "Please show me a verse that will help him."
At first, Dan googled "Friendship." Then, he recalled Romans 8:28. It would be on target.
"JoJo, I think the verse Romans 8:28 will help."
"I knew you would come through, Dad." "Do you mind if I read it by myself? I kinda want to be alone."
"Sure, JoJo." "I will let you know when supper's ready."
JoJo loved the New Living Translation. He still was struggling to get some of this God stuff, but he was searching. When he found the verse, he decided to write it in a notebook.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
"Wow, that is a really cool verse."
JoJo whispered, "Thank you, God. And, please help Bob. Amen"
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
JoJo 2.1; School Daze
JoJo was in another galaxy called Janie. He couldn't believe God could make such a pretty creature. The boy had no clue he was staring at her instead of doing his math. He was also clueless that Old Lady Cantankerous was standing right behind him! She wanted to give the back of his head a "Gibbs Slap." Instead, she wrote something on JoJo's open notebook. To get him out of Janie Orbit, Ms. Cantankerous hit his desk with her pencil several times. This caused everyone in the classroom, including Janie, to look his way. Finally, JoJo entered Earth's orbit and landed back in his desk. He looked up and saw Old Lady Cantankerous. Almost as fast, he noticed a word that she had written in his notebook: DAD! JoJo immediately shook his head relaying, "NO!" Then, she wrote another word: MATH! JoJo shook his head as to say, "YES,YES,YES!!!"
Ms Cantankerous took her 'teacher place' in front of the room. As she began to talk, he realized he had been hearing a Blah Sha Blah noise while in Galaxy Janie. He thought it was a space animal! However, as the Blah Sha now was interrupted as, "Who can tell me the first step in adding fractions?", JoJo realized it was a creature named Cantankerous talking the entire time. About that time, he remembered the words from Micah 6:8..."To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." JoJo thought this was the time to do right. He raised his hand.
Ms. Cantankerous almost fell over! "JoJo, do you know the first step?"
"Yes mam. Find a common denominator."
"Exactly! Thank you, JoJo."
The rest of math class was a breeze that day. When he got home, he went straight to Ann's house across the street. Ann was a grown lady, but she was his friend. Ann always allowed the boys to play basketball on the court her son developed several years prior. After a while some other guys showed up, and it was game on. JoJo lost track of time, but when he saw his dad pull in the driveway, he knew it was 6:10. Dan closed the Hardware store at 6:00 and drove the 10 minutes home every day. JoJo told the guys he had to go and rushed home.
Before Dan could get in the house, JoJo caught him.
"Dad!" "Dad!"
"Hey, JoJo!" "How was your day at school?"
"Stupendous!" OK, that was weird, too. He had never used that word before in his life. Heck, it seemed like the new abnormal was starting to feel normal.
Dan couldn't help himself..."How was Math?"
"I killed it, Dad!"
"I am proud of you, Buddy!" "What happened?"
JoJo thought for a few seconds. He confessed that early in the class he was not paying attention, but later Micah 6:8 was a key to him being the star of the Cantankerous Show. (He left out the part where Ms. Cantankerous came to his desk.)
"Excellent! Praise the Lord!!!"
Ms Cantankerous took her 'teacher place' in front of the room. As she began to talk, he realized he had been hearing a Blah Sha Blah noise while in Galaxy Janie. He thought it was a space animal! However, as the Blah Sha now was interrupted as, "Who can tell me the first step in adding fractions?", JoJo realized it was a creature named Cantankerous talking the entire time. About that time, he remembered the words from Micah 6:8..."To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." JoJo thought this was the time to do right. He raised his hand.
Ms. Cantankerous almost fell over! "JoJo, do you know the first step?"
"Yes mam. Find a common denominator."
"Exactly! Thank you, JoJo."
The rest of math class was a breeze that day. When he got home, he went straight to Ann's house across the street. Ann was a grown lady, but she was his friend. Ann always allowed the boys to play basketball on the court her son developed several years prior. After a while some other guys showed up, and it was game on. JoJo lost track of time, but when he saw his dad pull in the driveway, he knew it was 6:10. Dan closed the Hardware store at 6:00 and drove the 10 minutes home every day. JoJo told the guys he had to go and rushed home.
Before Dan could get in the house, JoJo caught him.
"Dad!" "Dad!"
"Hey, JoJo!" "How was your day at school?"
"Stupendous!" OK, that was weird, too. He had never used that word before in his life. Heck, it seemed like the new abnormal was starting to feel normal.
Dan couldn't help himself..."How was Math?"
"I killed it, Dad!"
"I am proud of you, Buddy!" "What happened?"
JoJo thought for a few seconds. He confessed that early in the class he was not paying attention, but later Micah 6:8 was a key to him being the star of the Cantankerous Show. (He left out the part where Ms. Cantankerous came to his desk.)
"Excellent! Praise the Lord!!!"
Monday, June 12, 2017
Wonderful Visit with Aunt Nell!
I am giving the Saga of JoJo a day off.
Yesterday, 2 faithful youths, Addy and Gauge, accompanied me to our monthly Oaks/Bethany Visitation. One of their first questions was, "Are we going to sing?" I told them no, unless it was This Little Light of Mine for Aunt Nell. (I didn't want to sing with that few folks, either. I want many voices to cover my clunkers!) We got to the Home a little late, and we headed straight to Aunt Nell (Hodges)'s room. We had a great conversation! First, Addy's parents came to get her, then Gauge had to take off. So, Aunt Nell and I reminisced for about another hour. Aunt Nell turned 90-years-old in February, and I have been a member of the Vidalia First United Methodist Church since the early 1970s. So, we talked a great deal about former members of the church. She reminded me of people that I had not thought about in years. (She remembers better than I do!)
God has blessed me with many godly role models throughout my life. One of my favorites was Aunt Nell's husband, Bill. I detailed to her a special day in my life that occurred in circa 1987. Our pastor, Bill Strickland had presented us with a vision for a Family Life Center. I was a first-year teacher, and had the privilege of being on a committee with a group of men, all much older than I was, to investigate other equivalencies of a Family Life Center. On this Saturday, we traveled all over Georgia. I particularly remember going to Epworth By The Sea and Savannah. If there were other cities, I don't recall them. As we rode in the church van for several hours, I listened to these men, at times in amazement. The one memory that stuck out was one Bill told. The men had to conjole it out of him. Maybe Bill hesitated because of his humble nature and did not want to draw attention to himself. Maybe the memories were tough to dredge up. Whatever the reason, I am thankful the guys kept encouraging him until he recalled several near-death experiences during WWII. I think there were 3 accounts, but I can only recall two of them. During part of his deployment, Bill was required to be in a fox hole with another soldier during bombing. Bill made it a habit to collect shrapnel after explosions. One night, he crawled out of his foxhole to collect shrapnel and while he was out, a bomb exploded in his foxhole and killed his soldier buddy. WOW! Another time, he and a buddy were pulled off an airplane just before takeoff. Bill was mad about this for some reason. His feelings soon changed as he saw the plane go down and explode shortly after take-off. Bill said he didn't know what work the Lord kept him alive for. The other guys said, "You're doing it!" And, he was. My memories of Bill include him being a nice man, which was important to me growing up. There were some mean dudes along the way. Bill was a faithful church member. But, there was so much more to his Christianity.
Jesus said you would know people by their fruits. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. There is no law against these things.
We know the only perfect man was Jesus, so I won't claim anyone else to be perfect. I know I have never even had one day where I was perfect, but I do believe the Holy Spirit lived in Bill in such a way that ALL these fruits were exhibited! Instead of him dying during WWII, he lived for over 60 years after the war. People like me could look to him to learn what a man of God was.
Don't get me wrong, my parents were great examples for me! I praise God for my family! However, we all have holes in our examples. God has been so good to me for plenty of godly men and women to show me how to live, plus His Word tells me to as well.
I would not trade anything for my visit with Aunt Nell yesterday! I could brag on her just as much, but I think she would enjoy hearing about somebody else because she does not want the spotlight on her. Praise God she shines it on the Lord! Watching the employees enjoy their relationship with her is evidence enough--if you were not already aware of "This Little Light" in her!
Thursday, June 8, 2017
JoJo; Part 4
JoJo was very happy! He had just downed his third chocolate-covered doughnut! He had been in Mr. Wesley's Sunday school class for three years. JoJo really liked Mr. Wesley. He brought them doughnuts every week, taught them Bible lessons, and most of all...he was a nice man. JoJo really didn't know many nice men, but they all seemed to go to his church. Of course there were others, like Mike, the mechanic; James, the mailman; and Sy, a family friend. But, most men he knew were mean! They were always talking about how long his hair was or how his family was goody-goody. Mr. Wesley's lesson that day was really good, but 5 minutes after it was over, JoJo had no idea what the man said.
This was the second Sunday, which meant no worship service for his family. For two years, they had traveled the thirty minutes to Stuckey for a visit with Granny-Jo. She resided at the Methodist Home for Old People. Only 4 people in the world knew who JoJo was named after: JoJo, his dad, his mom, and his Granny-Jo. As a matter of fact, Granny-Jo was a nickname for Josephine. You guessed it, JoJo was named after his grandmother. He didn't mind because he loved her from here to Canada! Granny-Jo was cool! She had a nice stereo with an 8-track player. She liked all kinds of music: Christian, Country, and Rock & Roll. Plus, she always played it real loud because she was hard-of-hearing! Today, she was listening to an old Beatles' tape called Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club.
As soon as Dan heard the music, he said, "Groovy Man!"
JoJo whispered, "Oh, no"
He hated the word groovy. Some words left over from the 60s were OK, but NOT groovy. Oh well, Dan had his faults like every one else. On the flip side, Dan was one of the main reasons JoJo wanted to know more about God. His dad was more than nice. He went out of his way to help people, especially poor people. Dan was almost always in a good mood, usually humming some hymn. And when it came to Alice, Dan would do anything to make her feel like a queen.
Granny-Jo had already had lunch, which was always the topic of conversation. If it was bad, she would say, "Dan, get me out of this Old Folks' Home!" But, if it was good, Granny-Jo would have a smile on her face and usually laughed often. Today's meal, complete with pumpkin pie, was especially good. Granny was full of questions.
She would begin with me: "How much have you grown?" "Have you been watching the Braves?" "Have you been playing your guitar?"
After a while, Dad would give me the nod, which meant I could go visit Mr. Wendell. We talked baseball! He played second-base in the minors for a team called the Red Hens. Man, could he tell some stories.
My sister and Granny-Jo were real close. As I left the room, I saw her crawl in Granny's chair. It didn't bother me. Just the opposite, I was glad to see them both happy.
In a few minutes, Dad came and got me, and we were off for Smallville. I was so looking forward to a nap, when Dad cleared his throat to make sure I was awake.
"JoJo, did you bring your Bible like I asked you to?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, turn to Malachi 6:8." "Did you read it three times last night?"
"I think so...I fell asleep reading."
"Shawhaha!" "That's ok, Son!" "I want you to back up and read verses 6 & 7 aloud."
"What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousands rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?"
Dan told JoJo he was impressed with how well he read the verses, then he asked him to interrupt what he read.
"The people sounded desperate!" "They were asking what did they need to do to get right with the Lord."
"Well said, my favorite son!"
"Dad, I am your ONLY son!!"
"Shawha!" "The people were in trouble with the Lord for what they had already done. They were asking could they do all these desperate measures--as you said, but The Lord is Love. He beautifully told them all he wanted. Do you remember those three things from the verse you read last night?"
"Can I peak?"
"Uhhhh...yea."
"To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
"That was what God wanted!" "Guess what?"
"What, Dad?"
"That is what he still wants from His people."
"Oh! Cool!"
"Now you can take your nap, JoJo."
This was the second Sunday, which meant no worship service for his family. For two years, they had traveled the thirty minutes to Stuckey for a visit with Granny-Jo. She resided at the Methodist Home for Old People. Only 4 people in the world knew who JoJo was named after: JoJo, his dad, his mom, and his Granny-Jo. As a matter of fact, Granny-Jo was a nickname for Josephine. You guessed it, JoJo was named after his grandmother. He didn't mind because he loved her from here to Canada! Granny-Jo was cool! She had a nice stereo with an 8-track player. She liked all kinds of music: Christian, Country, and Rock & Roll. Plus, she always played it real loud because she was hard-of-hearing! Today, she was listening to an old Beatles' tape called Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club.
As soon as Dan heard the music, he said, "Groovy Man!"
JoJo whispered, "Oh, no"
He hated the word groovy. Some words left over from the 60s were OK, but NOT groovy. Oh well, Dan had his faults like every one else. On the flip side, Dan was one of the main reasons JoJo wanted to know more about God. His dad was more than nice. He went out of his way to help people, especially poor people. Dan was almost always in a good mood, usually humming some hymn. And when it came to Alice, Dan would do anything to make her feel like a queen.
Granny-Jo had already had lunch, which was always the topic of conversation. If it was bad, she would say, "Dan, get me out of this Old Folks' Home!" But, if it was good, Granny-Jo would have a smile on her face and usually laughed often. Today's meal, complete with pumpkin pie, was especially good. Granny was full of questions.
She would begin with me: "How much have you grown?" "Have you been watching the Braves?" "Have you been playing your guitar?"
After a while, Dad would give me the nod, which meant I could go visit Mr. Wendell. We talked baseball! He played second-base in the minors for a team called the Red Hens. Man, could he tell some stories.
My sister and Granny-Jo were real close. As I left the room, I saw her crawl in Granny's chair. It didn't bother me. Just the opposite, I was glad to see them both happy.
In a few minutes, Dad came and got me, and we were off for Smallville. I was so looking forward to a nap, when Dad cleared his throat to make sure I was awake.
"JoJo, did you bring your Bible like I asked you to?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, turn to Malachi 6:8." "Did you read it three times last night?"
"I think so...I fell asleep reading."
"Shawhaha!" "That's ok, Son!" "I want you to back up and read verses 6 & 7 aloud."
"What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousands rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?"
Dan told JoJo he was impressed with how well he read the verses, then he asked him to interrupt what he read.
"The people sounded desperate!" "They were asking what did they need to do to get right with the Lord."
"Well said, my favorite son!"
"Dad, I am your ONLY son!!"
"Shawha!" "The people were in trouble with the Lord for what they had already done. They were asking could they do all these desperate measures--as you said, but The Lord is Love. He beautifully told them all he wanted. Do you remember those three things from the verse you read last night?"
"Can I peak?"
"Uhhhh...yea."
"To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
"That was what God wanted!" "Guess what?"
"What, Dad?"
"That is what he still wants from His people."
"Oh! Cool!"
"Now you can take your nap, JoJo."
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
JoJo; Part Three
As JoJo finished filling in the 30th hole, he said out loud, "I hope you are satisfied, Old Lady Cantankerous!" He surprised himself, because he usually would not utter such words to an adult....even if she was not present. It had taken him the better part of three hours to complete this "lesson," as his father called it. More like free labor was JoJo's version.
The shower felt good, not only to knock off that smell of dirt and sweat, but also to his tired muscles. "I'm getting old," JoJo thought to himself. Another thing that was new to JoJo was his appetite. It was difficult to fill up, and even when he did get enough he was eating 2 hours later.
Tonight, he filled himself up on every leftover he could find. JoJo's mother had been sick for about 6 months. The doctors still weren't sure the diagnosis, but Alice rarely cooked. Also, Dan was not a great cook. Fortunately for JoJo, he was usually so hungry that a leather sandwich with Ketsup was tasty to him.
After supper, JoJo used the new three-way calling that had just come out! He called Bob, then they called Tommy.
Tommy inquired, "What sermon did Disciple Dan preach you?'
JoJo never minded his friends calling his dad by that name until that moment. He quickly thought about the way Mr. Wildfire would make fun of Dan. He called him a Choir Boy. Tommy's dad also said he would not be caught dead in church with all those hypocrites. JoJo wasn't sure exactly what he meant by that.
"Whatever he said was better than what your dad would have preached me!"
Bob chimed in, "Was it that bad JoJo Boy?"
Just as quickly as he got mad, JoJo was fine. "Man, I'm sorry Tommy! I shouldn't have said that."
"No problem, Pal." "Now tell us what happened!"
"Well, it was weird."
Bob asked, "How so?"
JoJo tried to explain, "Dad didn't even get mad. He prayed and told me he understood."
Both friends talked over each other, "He didn't preach to you?" "He wasn't mad?!"
"He said that we would work on math together, but I did have to fill all the holes in the yard."
JoJo didn't say anything about Dan's mention of Marge or his own disrespect.
Tommy told him, "You're lucky, Pal! My daddy would have beat the poot out of me!"
Bob, as usual, chimed in, "Dan is a softy."
JoJo had heard enough. "Listen guys, I need to go."
"Oh yea, church tomorrow." "Get ready to go be Mr. Goody-goody."
"Yea, yea. Good night, guys."
Another new thing about JoJo was his sudden interest in God. It wasn't like he had not had an opportunity to learn. JoJo's grandfather, Carlton Smith was the pastor of Slippery Rock United Methodist Church. It was out in the country, about 10 miles from Smallville. His father never received the call to go in to the ministry. He was a Christian businessman. Dan owned a Hardware store. Due to loyal customers, the business did quite well. And when it came to the First United Methodist Church of Smallville, Dan was serious! Even though Mr. Wildfire called Dan a "choir boy," he couldn't carry a tune. No, Dan was involved with the Finance Committee, and he had taught Sunday school class for 15 years. Dan loved his church! Alice loved the church, too. But, her recent sicknesses that began about 3 years ago, had not allowed her to attend very often. JoJo had been attending church since birth, but he really didn't understand all that Jesus stuff. He knew to be a good boy and that had been enough....until now. He knew he wanted more of God. He needed more of God!
Dan knocked, and JoJo told him to come in. Dan always believed in treating his children with a degree of respect. JoJo picked up on that, and he tried to immitate Dan.
"JoJo, the yard looks great!"
"Thanks, Dad."
"Our next lesson needs to happen before you go to sleep."
"Oh, so he waited until I was too tired to not figure out a way to get out of his sermon," JoJo thought to himself.
"I know you're tired, but please listen to me."
"OK, Dad."
"Son, the things that are changing in your life mean you're becoming a man."
"Really?"
"Yes, Son." "God has an instruction for you to help you be a man." "I want you to read this 1 verse three times before you go to bed tonight."
"Sounds good, Dad. What is the verse?"
"It is Micah 6:8. We will talk more about the context later." "Good night, young man."
"Ha!" JoJo liked being called young man. "Good night, Not-as-Young-as-Me-Man."
JoJo read the verse thoroughly twice, but on the third time, he fell fast asleep.
MICAH 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
The shower felt good, not only to knock off that smell of dirt and sweat, but also to his tired muscles. "I'm getting old," JoJo thought to himself. Another thing that was new to JoJo was his appetite. It was difficult to fill up, and even when he did get enough he was eating 2 hours later.
Tonight, he filled himself up on every leftover he could find. JoJo's mother had been sick for about 6 months. The doctors still weren't sure the diagnosis, but Alice rarely cooked. Also, Dan was not a great cook. Fortunately for JoJo, he was usually so hungry that a leather sandwich with Ketsup was tasty to him.
After supper, JoJo used the new three-way calling that had just come out! He called Bob, then they called Tommy.
Tommy inquired, "What sermon did Disciple Dan preach you?'
JoJo never minded his friends calling his dad by that name until that moment. He quickly thought about the way Mr. Wildfire would make fun of Dan. He called him a Choir Boy. Tommy's dad also said he would not be caught dead in church with all those hypocrites. JoJo wasn't sure exactly what he meant by that.
"Whatever he said was better than what your dad would have preached me!"
Bob chimed in, "Was it that bad JoJo Boy?"
Just as quickly as he got mad, JoJo was fine. "Man, I'm sorry Tommy! I shouldn't have said that."
"No problem, Pal." "Now tell us what happened!"
"Well, it was weird."
Bob asked, "How so?"
JoJo tried to explain, "Dad didn't even get mad. He prayed and told me he understood."
Both friends talked over each other, "He didn't preach to you?" "He wasn't mad?!"
"He said that we would work on math together, but I did have to fill all the holes in the yard."
JoJo didn't say anything about Dan's mention of Marge or his own disrespect.
Tommy told him, "You're lucky, Pal! My daddy would have beat the poot out of me!"
Bob, as usual, chimed in, "Dan is a softy."
JoJo had heard enough. "Listen guys, I need to go."
"Oh yea, church tomorrow." "Get ready to go be Mr. Goody-goody."
"Yea, yea. Good night, guys."
Another new thing about JoJo was his sudden interest in God. It wasn't like he had not had an opportunity to learn. JoJo's grandfather, Carlton Smith was the pastor of Slippery Rock United Methodist Church. It was out in the country, about 10 miles from Smallville. His father never received the call to go in to the ministry. He was a Christian businessman. Dan owned a Hardware store. Due to loyal customers, the business did quite well. And when it came to the First United Methodist Church of Smallville, Dan was serious! Even though Mr. Wildfire called Dan a "choir boy," he couldn't carry a tune. No, Dan was involved with the Finance Committee, and he had taught Sunday school class for 15 years. Dan loved his church! Alice loved the church, too. But, her recent sicknesses that began about 3 years ago, had not allowed her to attend very often. JoJo had been attending church since birth, but he really didn't understand all that Jesus stuff. He knew to be a good boy and that had been enough....until now. He knew he wanted more of God. He needed more of God!
Dan knocked, and JoJo told him to come in. Dan always believed in treating his children with a degree of respect. JoJo picked up on that, and he tried to immitate Dan.
"JoJo, the yard looks great!"
"Thanks, Dad."
"Our next lesson needs to happen before you go to sleep."
"Oh, so he waited until I was too tired to not figure out a way to get out of his sermon," JoJo thought to himself.
"I know you're tired, but please listen to me."
"OK, Dad."
"Son, the things that are changing in your life mean you're becoming a man."
"Really?"
"Yes, Son." "God has an instruction for you to help you be a man." "I want you to read this 1 verse three times before you go to bed tonight."
"Sounds good, Dad. What is the verse?"
"It is Micah 6:8. We will talk more about the context later." "Good night, young man."
"Ha!" JoJo liked being called young man. "Good night, Not-as-Young-as-Me-Man."
JoJo read the verse thoroughly twice, but on the third time, he fell fast asleep.
MICAH 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
JoJo; Part Two
When JoJo heard the expression in his dad's voice, he knew he was in trouble. He told Tommy and Bob to wait in the basement, and he would see what his dad wanted. JoJo couldn't remember doing anything wrong lately. He knew he had cleaned his room, and he had even been nice to his sister.
"Yes, dad..."
"JoJo, Ms. Cantankerous just called to tell me about your math work."
"What did she say?"
"Well, she said you are FAILING!"
"Really?"
"Uhhh, yes. REALLY! You better tell the boys you have something you need to do."
"Like what?!" It was out of his mouth before he knew it. That was another weird thing that was going on in his life. All of the sudden, he was sassy to adults.
"You are about to find out..."
JoJo held back tears. He couldn't let the fellas see him cry. He told the boys his dad said they had to leave.
In unison, they said, "Why?"
"Old Lady Cantankerous (who is 29-years-old) called and ratted me out about my math grade."
Again in unison, the fellas said, "Math grades?!"
Tommy said, "You make straight 100s!"
JoJo didn't even look up. "I'm failing."
The fellas said in unison, "Failing??"
Bob said, "We better leave out the back door! Disciple Dan is about to hit ya with a sermon!"
(JoJo's dad was a devout Christian, earning him the name Disciple Dan.)
"Fraid so. I'll call you guys later...if I'm still alive."
As the fellas left, Bob murmured, "Old Lady Cantankerous has no life! She just ruined our Saturday."
When JoJo walked back upstairs, he found his father in the Living Room.
"Come in and sit down, son."
JoJo felt like he was marching to the gallows. Once he got to his seat, Dan prayed. It seemed like it lasted 30 minutes, but it was only 2.
After the prayer, Dan said three words that JoJo found unbelievable!
"Son, I understand."
"Sir??"
"Are you finding it difficult to focus in math lately."
"Yes sir."
"What is distracting you?'
Now JoJo went from high hopes to embarrassment. "I don't know."
"JoJo, we all have times that challenge us."
"Yes sir." Dan was acting weird and a little too nice.
"Your grades are important, and your respect of adults is even more important."
"Sorry how I spouted off earlier, Dad."
"Here's what we're going to do. You will bring home your math every night, and we will work together. To help you work on your disrespect, we will begin lessons today. I want you to take the dirt beside the ditch and fill in all the holes in the yard."
"Yes sir. " "Dad?"
"What's that JoJo?"
"Why am I not in trouble because of my math grades?"
"Have you been feeling different lately?"
"Yes sir! How did you know?!"
"JoJo, when I was your age I went through the same thing. Her name was Marge."
"You remember?"
"Like it was yesterday."
"Cool."
"Yes, dad..."
"JoJo, Ms. Cantankerous just called to tell me about your math work."
"What did she say?"
"Well, she said you are FAILING!"
"Really?"
"Uhhh, yes. REALLY! You better tell the boys you have something you need to do."
"Like what?!" It was out of his mouth before he knew it. That was another weird thing that was going on in his life. All of the sudden, he was sassy to adults.
"You are about to find out..."
JoJo held back tears. He couldn't let the fellas see him cry. He told the boys his dad said they had to leave.
In unison, they said, "Why?"
"Old Lady Cantankerous (who is 29-years-old) called and ratted me out about my math grade."
Again in unison, the fellas said, "Math grades?!"
Tommy said, "You make straight 100s!"
JoJo didn't even look up. "I'm failing."
The fellas said in unison, "Failing??"
Bob said, "We better leave out the back door! Disciple Dan is about to hit ya with a sermon!"
(JoJo's dad was a devout Christian, earning him the name Disciple Dan.)
"Fraid so. I'll call you guys later...if I'm still alive."
As the fellas left, Bob murmured, "Old Lady Cantankerous has no life! She just ruined our Saturday."
When JoJo walked back upstairs, he found his father in the Living Room.
"Come in and sit down, son."
JoJo felt like he was marching to the gallows. Once he got to his seat, Dan prayed. It seemed like it lasted 30 minutes, but it was only 2.
After the prayer, Dan said three words that JoJo found unbelievable!
"Son, I understand."
"Sir??"
"Are you finding it difficult to focus in math lately."
"Yes sir."
"What is distracting you?'
Now JoJo went from high hopes to embarrassment. "I don't know."
"JoJo, we all have times that challenge us."
"Yes sir." Dan was acting weird and a little too nice.
"Your grades are important, and your respect of adults is even more important."
"Sorry how I spouted off earlier, Dad."
"Here's what we're going to do. You will bring home your math every night, and we will work together. To help you work on your disrespect, we will begin lessons today. I want you to take the dirt beside the ditch and fill in all the holes in the yard."
"Yes sir. " "Dad?"
"What's that JoJo?"
"Why am I not in trouble because of my math grades?"
"Have you been feeling different lately?"
"Yes sir! How did you know?!"
"JoJo, when I was your age I went through the same thing. Her name was Marge."
"You remember?"
"Like it was yesterday."
"Cool."
Monday, June 5, 2017
JoJo; Part One
JoJo lived in SmallTown, USA back in the 1970s. He grew up in a Middle-Income family. They owned a house with a picket fence, and had two dogs names Ruff and Scratchy. Dan Smith, JoJo's dad worked at the Monument place, located on the east side of town, while his mom, Alice was a nurse. JoJo had one bratty sister, Remi, who liked to follow JoJo where ever he went. This only happened when Mrs. Smith made JoJo allow Remi to tag along. To JoJo, his life had been a simple and fun one for the first 12 years of his life, but as he entered seventh grade and turned 13-years old, something was weird! All of the sudden, he had all this energy that literally didn't sit well in a classroom. He couldn't wait until recess, and when he got home he played for at least two hours. Since, JoJo was a good student, he would come in and do his homework, usually before supper. By the way, this small town was in the Deep South, and the evening meal was called "supper".
There were other things that were new in JoJo's life that he had never experienced before. One of the biggest changes was the amount of time he spent thinking about girls. JoJo had begun to notice girls back in the fourth grade, but now he was under some kind of spell! As cute girls approached him, he would go into this whole other universe. JoJo had a difficult time knowing what to say to the girls. He did a lot of coughing and smiling. If there was a consolation, JoJo's buddies were experiencing this same phenomenon. Their favorite phrase to describe a pretty girl was: "SHE'S HOT!!" Dan realized this was the boys' favorite description of these cute girls on Saturday afternoon. JoJo and his friends Tommy Wildfire and Bob Rhodes were shooting pool in the basement. As Dan started down the stairs to the basement, he stopped at the top step and listened. The boys' conversation was repetitious.
"What do you think about Janie?"
"She's Hot!"
"Cindy?"
"She's Hot!"
"Donna?"
"She's Hot!"
Dan actually muffled his own mouth to stop from literally LOLing! About that time, Alice called for Dan to come to the phone. He quietly retreated from his ease-dropping perch.
"Hello"
"Is this Mr. Smith?"
"Yes, it is."
"Mr. Smith, this is Ms. Cantankerous, JoJo's Math teacher."
"Hi, Ms. Cantankerous. What can I do for you?'
"First, I apologize for calling you on Saturday, but I do need your help."
"Oh? How can I help you?"
"Mr. Smith, JoJo is failing Math. I am concerned because he has never had a score below 99."
"I am glad you called! Do you have a thought to the reason for his grade?"
"Well...."
"Ms Cantankerous, don't sugar coat it."
"No sir, I just don't want to meddle. The truth of the matter..."
"Go on."
"Her name is Janie."
"I am not following you."
"Mr. Smith, if I gave a test on Janie, JoJo would make a 100."
"But, he's failing math?!"
"Yes sir."
"I will!"
"Sir?"
"You asked me if I would I help, and I promise you things will change."
"Thank you, Mr. Smith! Again, I apologize for calling on a Saturday."
"Not at all, Mr Cantankerous. Thank you."
Dan hangs up the phone. He thinks for about 42 seconds, then yells, "JoJo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
There were other things that were new in JoJo's life that he had never experienced before. One of the biggest changes was the amount of time he spent thinking about girls. JoJo had begun to notice girls back in the fourth grade, but now he was under some kind of spell! As cute girls approached him, he would go into this whole other universe. JoJo had a difficult time knowing what to say to the girls. He did a lot of coughing and smiling. If there was a consolation, JoJo's buddies were experiencing this same phenomenon. Their favorite phrase to describe a pretty girl was: "SHE'S HOT!!" Dan realized this was the boys' favorite description of these cute girls on Saturday afternoon. JoJo and his friends Tommy Wildfire and Bob Rhodes were shooting pool in the basement. As Dan started down the stairs to the basement, he stopped at the top step and listened. The boys' conversation was repetitious.
"What do you think about Janie?"
"She's Hot!"
"Cindy?"
"She's Hot!"
"Donna?"
"She's Hot!"
Dan actually muffled his own mouth to stop from literally LOLing! About that time, Alice called for Dan to come to the phone. He quietly retreated from his ease-dropping perch.
"Hello"
"Is this Mr. Smith?"
"Yes, it is."
"Mr. Smith, this is Ms. Cantankerous, JoJo's Math teacher."
"Hi, Ms. Cantankerous. What can I do for you?'
"First, I apologize for calling you on Saturday, but I do need your help."
"Oh? How can I help you?"
"Mr. Smith, JoJo is failing Math. I am concerned because he has never had a score below 99."
"I am glad you called! Do you have a thought to the reason for his grade?"
"Well...."
"Ms Cantankerous, don't sugar coat it."
"No sir, I just don't want to meddle. The truth of the matter..."
"Go on."
"Her name is Janie."
"I am not following you."
"Mr. Smith, if I gave a test on Janie, JoJo would make a 100."
"But, he's failing math?!"
"Yes sir."
"I will!"
"Sir?"
"You asked me if I would I help, and I promise you things will change."
"Thank you, Mr. Smith! Again, I apologize for calling on a Saturday."
"Not at all, Mr Cantankerous. Thank you."
Dan hangs up the phone. He thinks for about 42 seconds, then yells, "JoJo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
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