I must admit, Josh and I have slacked in ‘07 going to church. I hope we do better in 2008.  I still read the sermons online/listen to them on my ipod (The Donelson Fellowship) which is better than not going at all I guess. After all, not going to church doesn’t make you any less of a Christian.  Keith Green said it best, "Going to church makes you no more of a Christian than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger."   However, it says in the bible we should go to church. ( In the words of Larry the Cable Guy.. I don’t need to quote it to you, you know its in there)

This brings me to my topic today. Does it matter how you go to church? I’ve done several bible studies in the past. I actually get more out of the bible studies than I do the sermons. Don’t get me wrong, Pastor Rob is awesome! But I get a more personal, one on one learning in the bible studies. My teacher is wonderful, and I get more realistic life application lessons. It is easier for me to go to the bible study during the week. So does that count as going to church?

In an ideal world, I will do both. I’m sure when I get to heaven God’s not going to smack my hand because I went to bible study instead of church. But if I had to choose one over the other, is it better to go to the Sunday sermon? 

Josh and I went to Publix the other night and it was pouring down rain! When we checked out, our bagger just grabbed the buggy and started toward the parking lot (which is ANOTHER reason why Publix is better than Kroger) He had a big button on his shirt that said "No tipping please, it’s a pleasure for me to help you." or something to that effect.  So, do they REALLY mean not to tip him? It was cold and rainy. Granted we didn’t ask him to take our groceries to our car, we still felt bad. What’s the etiquette on tipping when it says not to? I know Publix doesn’t want him getting tips, but can he still take them? I saw a tipping etiquette segment on a show over the holidays that said your Postman cannot accept a cash tip over a certain amount. If they did, they were supposed to turn it in and split it among other workers (yeah right!)  When do you tip/not tip?

If you will remember, about a month ago I sent Arby’s corporate an email about some rude employees. Well, this time Subway is false advertising.

Josh and I went to Subway last night in an attempt to eat out yet be somewhat healthy. We were excited because Subway had a commercial on the other day stating they were now serving Coke Zero. (which is our diet drink of choice)

We walk into Subway and sure enough, there’s a big sign on the window showing a nice, cold, refreshing bottle of Coke Zero. Too bad they don’t actually HAVE it! So I’m like, "Okay, maybe they just haven’t switch it over yet.. I’ll give them some time"

I go to order and I see 2 new sandwiches on the menu. Black Forest Ham and Tender Roast Beef. Alright! New sandwiches to try out. Wait a minute, they’ve always had Roast Beef. So I ask the "sandwich artist" what the difference is and she says nothing, it’s the same. Then why does it say New!! on the the menu? 

I know Subway must be hurting a little with Quiznos now down the street in Mt. Juliet, but false advertising is just going to make me want to go to Quiznos. Yeah, they are more expensive, and they don’t have as many options, but at least they don’t say something’s new when its not. (at least not that I’ve seen yet)

So be wary fellow Subway eaters. Apparently they think we are retards and won’t notice they don’t have Coke Zero and the new sandwich they have has been on their menu for years…

Bonnie is Josh’s grandmother’s neighbor. She is one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met.  She is a woman with great knowledge, encouragement and will.

She just turned 90 on December 17th. I asked Bonnie if she felt 90 and she said "Lord No, I can’t believe I’m already 90" So I asked her how old she felt and she said about 40!! That’s over half her age! I can only hope I have that problem. I’m 25 and sometimes I feel like I’m 50!

Bonnie can cook! She cooks old school with lard and such. I love getting recipes from older generations because not many people cook like that anymore. The problem with getting a recipe from  Bonnie is, almost everything is done by memory. So as she is spouting off how to make something you get "until it looks right" or "cook it until its done." I swear everything she cooks is 400 degrees until its done! That doesn’t work well with someone who is still learning the tricks to cooking. I made a batch of yeast rolls that looked like snot!

Bonnie can garden! This woman can put a stick in the ground and it will grow. Every time we go up there she gives me a new plant. So far, everything she’s given me has taken.  Yet again, getting plants has its variables. When she gives me a new plant, I ask how I should care for it.  I get "Sun or shade, it don’t matter. If it doesn’t like one, move it to the other."  How often do you water it? "When it needs it." Here we go again :)  Paul James the Gardener Guy has nothing on her. She had tomatoes last year by Memorial Day, not 4th of July like most people.

She has the best spirit! Last winter, we were up in East TN visiting and she was getting some plants for us. She took the hoe from Josh because he wasn’t doing it right.  Josh’s grandmother started complaining about her back hurting and that she couldn’t do anything like that. Bonnie’s response was " My back hurt when I got up this morning to, but you can’t let that stop you. Things have got to get done. "

I think part of why Bonnie has lived as long as she has and is in a good a shape as she’s in is because she keeps things simple.  We tend to complicate things by worrying about things we can’t help, making up schedules and not be willing to adjust to life. If you aren’t happy where you are in your life right now, change it. No since in complaining about it, things have got to get done.  Ben Stein made a good point the other day when he was talking about our government.  All of these politicians are promising their voters they will make their life better. This is a lie. No one can make your life better  is you. The best thing you can do for this country is work, save your money and teach your children.

Bonnie is a woman of substance. I hope one day someone will say that about me.