Somebody had to make the call and it was....Samantha.
"Hey JoJo."
"Hey Samantha. Long time, no hear." Then, it hit him.
"That's why I'm calling."
"Guess we're through. HuH?"
"We've been finished for a long time, but I want us to make it official."
"What happened to us?"
"We both were passionate about ideas other than ourselves."
"I know you wanted to make disciples for the Lord. That's a good thing. Right?"
"It is good to make disciples for the Lord. But, in my efforts, I think it became more about me than the Lord. I'm not sure."
"So what have I been passionate about?"
"Remember your goal at the beginning of the school year?"
"Yea. I have been the best class clown alright. But, I forgot about my girlfriend. my friend."
"It's ok, JoJo."
"Well, here's the thing. The Lord put us together. At first, we were friends. Then, we were girlfriend-boyfriend. Maybe, it will be ok to be friends again."
"Well said, friend!"
"Thanks!"
"Well look, JoJo. I need to go. Let's eat lunch together tomorrow."
"That sounds good.'
"Bye"
"Bye"
JoJo thought, What have I done? I messed up this relationship with Samantha as my girlfriend. Suddenly, he knew it was all good. He and Samantha were still friends and there were other fish in the sea!
Then JoJo prayed, "Dear Lord, help me be a better Christian. I have messed up again!"
Monday, February 26, 2018
Friday, February 23, 2018
JoJo 20.5; Samantha's Astonishment
As Samantha made her way to Simone's Table, she almost came to a screeching halt. The table was full of people. But, Samantha decided she would try to sit near by and talk to Simone after lunch.
However, things turned downward in a hurry!
Simone grunted, "Well, well, if ain't the Christian girl. Huh Huh."
The guests at Simone's table laughed!
Samantha decided to just keep walking and talk to Simone later.
However, Simone grunted again, "Huh HuH. Ohhhh Christian Girllll."
This time Samantha stopped. She spun around and responded, "Yessss, Simone."
Simone was a little surprised, but she managed to grunt out, "Ma said I can't go to church with you."
The comment rattled Samantha. "Are you sure?"
"Yea, I talk to Ma every day. Huh."
Simone's disciples joined in with the laugh.
Samantha turned red, but she managed, "Well, I was looking forward to you going. If ya Ma changes her mind, let me know."
Crickets...."Uh. OK Samantha."
Samantha found a table on the other side of the cafeteria and gulped her food down.
She rushed outside. Samantha felt like she was on fire from embarrassment. After, she got outside, Samantha realized she was not only embarrassed, but frustrated as well. She was sure Simone would go to church with her. Samantha had a lesson in spiritual warfare that day. She decided to take out her Sword of the Spirit, her Bible, and read.
She turned to Psalm 37: 1-4
1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb.
3. Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shall be fed.
4. Delight thyself also in the Lord;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Samantha prayed, Lord don't let this be the end of the war for Simone's soul. Let it be only a battle! I am not going to fret it! I am going to trust in you! I am going to delight in you! My heart's desire is for Simone to go to church and to heaven....or just heaven! God, I trust you to make the necessary plans. In Jesus' name! Amen!
However, things turned downward in a hurry!
Simone grunted, "Well, well, if ain't the Christian girl. Huh Huh."
The guests at Simone's table laughed!
Samantha decided to just keep walking and talk to Simone later.
However, Simone grunted again, "Huh HuH. Ohhhh Christian Girllll."
This time Samantha stopped. She spun around and responded, "Yessss, Simone."
Simone was a little surprised, but she managed to grunt out, "Ma said I can't go to church with you."
The comment rattled Samantha. "Are you sure?"
"Yea, I talk to Ma every day. Huh."
Simone's disciples joined in with the laugh.
Samantha turned red, but she managed, "Well, I was looking forward to you going. If ya Ma changes her mind, let me know."
Crickets...."Uh. OK Samantha."
Samantha found a table on the other side of the cafeteria and gulped her food down.
She rushed outside. Samantha felt like she was on fire from embarrassment. After, she got outside, Samantha realized she was not only embarrassed, but frustrated as well. She was sure Simone would go to church with her. Samantha had a lesson in spiritual warfare that day. She decided to take out her Sword of the Spirit, her Bible, and read.
She turned to Psalm 37: 1-4
1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb.
3. Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shall be fed.
4. Delight thyself also in the Lord;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Samantha prayed, Lord don't let this be the end of the war for Simone's soul. Let it be only a battle! I am not going to fret it! I am going to trust in you! I am going to delight in you! My heart's desire is for Simone to go to church and to heaven....or just heaven! God, I trust you to make the necessary plans. In Jesus' name! Amen!
Sunday, February 18, 2018
JoJo 20.4; JoJo is Not Bothered by His Tense New World
Sure enough, JoJo took a test over the irregular verbs chart. He only missed one, so he received a grade of 97. Mrs. Tense averaged that with his other grades, which boosted his average from a 67 to a 72. Many students would not be happy about a 72, but JoJo was happy, happy.
"Yes! A 72!:
"JoJo, I am glad you are doing a little better, but we're not going to stop there, Buster!"
"We're not?"
"No Sir. You will report to me after school every Tuesday. You will take a quiz over material I will give to you on the previous day."
"That sounds great, Mrs. Tense. But..."
"Go on."
"Why are you helping me? We both know I am a major pain."
Mrs. Tense let out a yelp of a laugh. "You sure are, Mister!" Then, she cackled again.
"Well? Why the help?"
"JoJo, you are not a bad boy. If you will keep it a secret...I am not as mean as the students think. I see potential in you."
"What? I mean...Mam?"
"Sometimes, students just need a little push in the right direction."
"I appreciate all you're doing for me, Mrs. Tense. But...how can you see this potential?"
"I have been around a long time. Plus, I want you to be a productive citizen, and pay taxes. So, I can have a job."
This time, JoJo laughed. "Yes mam."
JoJo kept all this Tense stuff to himself. He didn't want anybody thinking he was the teacher's pet!
However, something changed inside JoJo. He believed the message Tense sent to him about potential. He began to study in ALL his classes. Of course, he remained the class clown, but he was a smarter clown.
"Yes! A 72!:
"JoJo, I am glad you are doing a little better, but we're not going to stop there, Buster!"
"We're not?"
"No Sir. You will report to me after school every Tuesday. You will take a quiz over material I will give to you on the previous day."
"That sounds great, Mrs. Tense. But..."
"Go on."
"Why are you helping me? We both know I am a major pain."
Mrs. Tense let out a yelp of a laugh. "You sure are, Mister!" Then, she cackled again.
"Well? Why the help?"
"JoJo, you are not a bad boy. If you will keep it a secret...I am not as mean as the students think. I see potential in you."
"What? I mean...Mam?"
"Sometimes, students just need a little push in the right direction."
"I appreciate all you're doing for me, Mrs. Tense. But...how can you see this potential?"
"I have been around a long time. Plus, I want you to be a productive citizen, and pay taxes. So, I can have a job."
This time, JoJo laughed. "Yes mam."
JoJo kept all this Tense stuff to himself. He didn't want anybody thinking he was the teacher's pet!
However, something changed inside JoJo. He believed the message Tense sent to him about potential. He began to study in ALL his classes. Of course, he remained the class clown, but he was a smarter clown.
Friday, February 9, 2018
An Olympic Conversation Between My Momma and Me
In the spirit of the 2018 Olympics, I want to share a little of my past experiences.
The scene was circa 1988. The conversation was similar to the following.
Momma: Are these athletes having fun?
Me: Yes
Momma: They don't look happy.
Me: They are focused on what they are doing. For four years, these athletes having been working to get here. (Some of them had been working for many more years.)
Momma: Well they don't look happy.
Me: A hundredth of a second may mean the difference in winning or losing. And, they are SERIOUS about winning!
Momma: OK, because I want them to be happy.
Me: Believe me, if they win, they will be happy.
Momma: OK, because I want them to be happy.
Sidenote: Hopefully many of you enjoyed the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
My personal attendance of those Olympics included 3 events.
1. The U.S vs Cuba in baseball. This was prior to Cubans defecting and becoming a part of MLB, so they were awesome. If memory serves correct, they hit 3 homers in the first inning. Plus, they had the ugliest uniforms ever--Red on Red. The U.S. battled back--after we left the game--to lose by a score of 10-8. The venue was the old Atlanta/Fulton Co. Stadium.
2. Mens 5th/6th place Basketball game. Venue: Georgia Dome
3. Mens 7th/8th place Basketball game. Venue: Georgia Dome
Note: I made much of my fun on my own--cutting up and making friends with an Asian in the Dome. Running up steps like I was Rocky. My fun met embarrassment when a young man selling Daily Sports Illustrated (yes--daily) had to tell me, "Sir, you're going to have to sit down." Ha!
The idea of countries coming together peacefully to compete in athletics is at the core of my being.
The scene was circa 1988. The conversation was similar to the following.
Momma: Are these athletes having fun?
Me: Yes
Momma: They don't look happy.
Me: They are focused on what they are doing. For four years, these athletes having been working to get here. (Some of them had been working for many more years.)
Momma: Well they don't look happy.
Me: A hundredth of a second may mean the difference in winning or losing. And, they are SERIOUS about winning!
Momma: OK, because I want them to be happy.
Me: Believe me, if they win, they will be happy.
Momma: OK, because I want them to be happy.
Sidenote: Hopefully many of you enjoyed the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
My personal attendance of those Olympics included 3 events.
1. The U.S vs Cuba in baseball. This was prior to Cubans defecting and becoming a part of MLB, so they were awesome. If memory serves correct, they hit 3 homers in the first inning. Plus, they had the ugliest uniforms ever--Red on Red. The U.S. battled back--after we left the game--to lose by a score of 10-8. The venue was the old Atlanta/Fulton Co. Stadium.
2. Mens 5th/6th place Basketball game. Venue: Georgia Dome
3. Mens 7th/8th place Basketball game. Venue: Georgia Dome
Note: I made much of my fun on my own--cutting up and making friends with an Asian in the Dome. Running up steps like I was Rocky. My fun met embarrassment when a young man selling Daily Sports Illustrated (yes--daily) had to tell me, "Sir, you're going to have to sit down." Ha!
The idea of countries coming together peacefully to compete in athletics is at the core of my being.
Monday, February 5, 2018
JoJo 20.3; Meanwhile: Samantha & Simone
"Hi, Simone," Samantha said as she made her way to her familiar seat during lunch.
"Hey," Simone said roughly. However, she made no objection when Samantha sat beside her at 'Simone's Table.'
Samantha's plan of writhing friendly notes to Simone--most days--seemed to be paying off.
"Simone, what is your favorite part of our school?"
For the first time, Samantha experienced Simone's laugh. It was similar to an old man's laugh.
"Huh. Huh. Huh. Good one Samantha."
Samantha had no clue she made a joke (until she figured it out later). So, she played along.
"Hee Hee. Thanks!"
"You going eat your green peas?"
"No, Simone. Be my guest."
"Do you go to church, Samantha?"
Although Samantha had been praying for an opportunity to share with Simone, she was caught off guard. However, Samantha said a quick prayer and responded. "Yes, I do, Simone. Why do you ask?"
"You always sign your notes, 'In Christ.' I appreciate the notes, by the way."
"Oh, I'm glad you like the notes. Christ is the reason I am able to write them."
"Huh, what da ya mean?"
"Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He changed my life from despair to hope. From guilty to forgiven. From lost to found."
Simone just looked at Samantha for a long time. Finally, she said, "Oh."
"Have you ever been to church, Simone?"
"Nu uhh."
"Would you like to go with me?"
"I don't know."
"What's stopping you?"
"Clothes for one thing."
"I see. What if I solved that problem?"
"Yea, I'd go. I need some a dat hope."
"Great. For starters, we are the same size. We can share. Later, we can go shopping."
"Sharing sounds good. But, I don't shop."
"Why not?"
"Got no money, Girl."
"Oh. I see. We will figure something out."
Simone just grunted.
"Would you like to start this Sunday?"
"I think. Better check with my ma first."
"OK. Well, I am headed to class. Maybe we can talk at lunch tomorrow."
Simone grunted, but after Samantha got three steps away, Simone said, "Hey Samantha. Thanks."
"Sure thing, Simone."
Samantha sent up a prayer of thanksgiving as she walked to class.
"Hey," Simone said roughly. However, she made no objection when Samantha sat beside her at 'Simone's Table.'
Samantha's plan of writhing friendly notes to Simone--most days--seemed to be paying off.
"Simone, what is your favorite part of our school?"
For the first time, Samantha experienced Simone's laugh. It was similar to an old man's laugh.
"Huh. Huh. Huh. Good one Samantha."
Samantha had no clue she made a joke (until she figured it out later). So, she played along.
"Hee Hee. Thanks!"
"You going eat your green peas?"
"No, Simone. Be my guest."
"Do you go to church, Samantha?"
Although Samantha had been praying for an opportunity to share with Simone, she was caught off guard. However, Samantha said a quick prayer and responded. "Yes, I do, Simone. Why do you ask?"
"You always sign your notes, 'In Christ.' I appreciate the notes, by the way."
"Oh, I'm glad you like the notes. Christ is the reason I am able to write them."
"Huh, what da ya mean?"
"Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He changed my life from despair to hope. From guilty to forgiven. From lost to found."
Simone just looked at Samantha for a long time. Finally, she said, "Oh."
"Have you ever been to church, Simone?"
"Nu uhh."
"Would you like to go with me?"
"I don't know."
"What's stopping you?"
"Clothes for one thing."
"I see. What if I solved that problem?"
"Yea, I'd go. I need some a dat hope."
"Great. For starters, we are the same size. We can share. Later, we can go shopping."
"Sharing sounds good. But, I don't shop."
"Why not?"
"Got no money, Girl."
"Oh. I see. We will figure something out."
Simone just grunted.
"Would you like to start this Sunday?"
"I think. Better check with my ma first."
"OK. Well, I am headed to class. Maybe we can talk at lunch tomorrow."
Simone grunted, but after Samantha got three steps away, Simone said, "Hey Samantha. Thanks."
"Sure thing, Simone."
Samantha sent up a prayer of thanksgiving as she walked to class.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
JoJo 20.2; It's a Tense New World
As advertised, Mrs. Tense gave JoJo a chart to study. It was a list of Irregular Verbs.
Base Past Tense Past Participle
begin began begun
choose chose chosen
come came come
do did done
give gave given
know knew known
run ran run
see saw seen
take took taken
wear wore worn
Base Past Tense Past Participle
begin began begun
choose chose chosen
come came come
do did done
give gave given
know knew known
run ran run
see saw seen
take took taken
wear wore worn
Saturday, February 3, 2018
JoJo 20.1; JoJo is Challenged by Mrs. Tense
"40??"
"Mr. Smith, if you want to announce your grade to the class, go right ahead."
"Sorry, Mrs. Tense. I was really hoping for a 60!"
After 23 students finished laughing, Mrs. Tense said, "See me after class, Mr. Smith."
"Yes mam."
In trouble again....
"Students, let us make sure we have the correct answers for the quiz."
The students were anxious to give the correct answers.
"Mr. Jones."
"#1. I have GONE to my grandmother's house."
"Thank you. #2. Ms. Sienfeld."
"The students have BECOME bored in their Science class."
"Good job. 3? Ms. Longmire."
"Johnny has CHOSEN a name for his new puppy."
"Thank you. #4? John Summersett."
"Sally has COME this way only once in her life."
"Well done. #5. Ms. Tennis."
"Bobby has SEEN a Braves' game live only once in his life."
"Any questions? Mr. Smith?"
"Mrs. Tense, I don't think this talk matters. Nobody never got farther in life for knowing how to talk good!"
"Mr. Smith...after class..."
JoJo did not waist "none" of his precious time listening to Old Lady Tense.
Finally, class finished.
"JoJo Smith, you are failing my class."
"Yes mam."
"Do you care?"
Nooooooooo JoJo thought. "Yes mam!"
"Why?"
JoJo was silent.
Mrs. Smith lit in to him!
"Son, whatever you do in life, people will judge you by your speech. This includes a future job, girls, adults, strangers, and everybody else."
"Yes mam."
"Son, you aren't stupid. I see you trying to have this 'bad boy' attitude. Truth is the only thing bad about you is the way you speak."
"I ain't goin to no college."
"You do not know what you are going to do! You punk."
"Mam?" She just called me a PUNK!
"You heard me...PUNK. You act like a punk and talk like a punk."
This threw JoJo WAY off. "What can I do about it?"
"This class needs to become a priority for you. I can help you."
"It's hard!"
"That is because you have been goofing off for a long time. Now, study this chart tonight. You will have an extra quiz after school tomorrow. I want you to pass."
JoJo thought for about 5 seconds. "Yes mam, and...thanks, Mrs. Tense."
"You're welcome, JoJo."
"Mr. Smith, if you want to announce your grade to the class, go right ahead."
"Sorry, Mrs. Tense. I was really hoping for a 60!"
After 23 students finished laughing, Mrs. Tense said, "See me after class, Mr. Smith."
"Yes mam."
In trouble again....
"Students, let us make sure we have the correct answers for the quiz."
The students were anxious to give the correct answers.
"Mr. Jones."
"#1. I have GONE to my grandmother's house."
"Thank you. #2. Ms. Sienfeld."
"The students have BECOME bored in their Science class."
"Good job. 3? Ms. Longmire."
"Johnny has CHOSEN a name for his new puppy."
"Thank you. #4? John Summersett."
"Sally has COME this way only once in her life."
"Well done. #5. Ms. Tennis."
"Bobby has SEEN a Braves' game live only once in his life."
"Any questions? Mr. Smith?"
"Mrs. Tense, I don't think this talk matters. Nobody never got farther in life for knowing how to talk good!"
"Mr. Smith...after class..."
JoJo did not waist "none" of his precious time listening to Old Lady Tense.
Finally, class finished.
"JoJo Smith, you are failing my class."
"Yes mam."
"Do you care?"
Nooooooooo JoJo thought. "Yes mam!"
"Why?"
JoJo was silent.
Mrs. Smith lit in to him!
"Son, whatever you do in life, people will judge you by your speech. This includes a future job, girls, adults, strangers, and everybody else."
"Yes mam."
"Son, you aren't stupid. I see you trying to have this 'bad boy' attitude. Truth is the only thing bad about you is the way you speak."
"I ain't goin to no college."
"You do not know what you are going to do! You punk."
"Mam?" She just called me a PUNK!
"You heard me...PUNK. You act like a punk and talk like a punk."
This threw JoJo WAY off. "What can I do about it?"
"This class needs to become a priority for you. I can help you."
"It's hard!"
"That is because you have been goofing off for a long time. Now, study this chart tonight. You will have an extra quiz after school tomorrow. I want you to pass."
JoJo thought for about 5 seconds. "Yes mam, and...thanks, Mrs. Tense."
"You're welcome, JoJo."
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