The End For Now

After much consideration, I have decided to officially suspend the Journeyman's Files.

It is obvious that my interest and energy for posting here has declined significantly in the past year. It has been more than a month since I posted anything. Even before that, I had basically stopped writing anything original, and simply posted excerpts and links to things I found interesting and helpful from other sites. I can continue to do that via Facebook and Twitter.

It's time to acknowledge the reality that this blog's time has past, and to move on.

Thank you to all of you who have followed my blog, and especially those who have commented or shared a post with others. I hope that what you found here has been helpful to your spiritual life. I will leave all the posts online for anyone who searches for topics and can be help by what I've posted here.

I do reserve the right to changed my mind and re-open the blog, but don't consider that to be a likely outcome.

Thanks to all!

Veterans Day 2015

Today is Veterans Day in the USA. November 11th was originally called Armistice Day, in memory of the end of World War I. It is now called Veterans Day in honor of all U.S. military veterans. Many of my family members are veterans. I wish to make special recognition today for and to:

1. My Dad (Col. B.F. Simmons, USAF, retired, pictured at left), my late Grandfather (Jefferson L. Simmons, Mississippi National Guard in WWI in France, pictured below Dad), my late Uncle Franklin Simmons (Navy "Sea Bee" in WWII), Uncle Terrell Simmons (US Army), Uncle Charles Shirley (Air Force), Uncle Hal Shirley (Army National Guard), my late Uncle Cranford Nelson (Navy), Cousin Harry Nelson (Navy), Cousin Jimmy Walters (Marine Corps), Cousin Shain Vice (US Army), Brother-in-law Gary Meier (US Army), nephew Dale Meier (US Army, 82nd Airborne), and any other family members I'm forgetting.

2. All our men and women serving and protecting us on the front lines of Afghanistan, and many other dangerous places around the world.

3. All current and retired American veterans.

4. The families of those lost in Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, and so many other places. I am thankful and grateful.

Job Search

As many of you know, I am looking for a new career opportunity. Here are links to my resumes and on-line profiles at LinkedIn, Be Known and at my other blog. If you know of any place where I can contribute, please feel free to forward my info or to let me know.

Pardon this personal post. we now return you to your normal programming.

Seven Years In Cyberspace

Seven years ago today, on April 1, 2008, the Journeyman's Files was launched upon an unsuspecting internet and blog-o-sphere. I promise you that despite that date this blog was never intended to be an April Fool's joke, and I hope it's continuing existence is not an April Fool joke now. Well, at least most of the time it's not....

Thanks to all of you you read this stuff, regularly or occasionally. I appreciate you very much!

BTW - Where the name came from and a reminder about your humble blogger.

My Second Blog - Ideas & Trends

I've started a second blog, focusing on successful living, productivity, leadership, technology and business matters. If you are interested in those subjects, check our Ideas & Trends.

An Unchosen But Exciting Adventure

I found out last Friday that the company where I have worked for nine years has been sold to a larger national firm. As part of the consolidation with the new parent company, after a three month transition period my position will be eliminated.

They are treating me well with a good severance package. I am profoundly grateful for the good job with good people I've enjoyed at PWS for nine years and for the comradeship and professional growth I have experienced there.

Now to the future! This is not the adventure I would have chosen for 2015, but I am excited to see what opportunities will come our way! Request everyone's prayers as the adventure begins.  I intend to soar!

And, BTW, if you know of any accounting or financial positions in Mississippi, please let me know!

Why I Am Sure About Heaven

I lost my mother this week. She passed after a full life, a beautiful 64 year long marriage, and leaving behind a great legacy. Therefore, this carton was especially meaningful to me today. I know where Mama is.

Click on cartoon to see it bigger

From Radio Free Babylon

Six Years Blogging

Today this blog is six years old. It doesn't feel a day over five!

When I started on April 1, 2008, I was a little afraid that the whole thing would be considered an April Fool joke. But joke or not, I'm still here. Thanks to all of you who read my quotes and musings -You are greatly appreciated.

Here's what I wrote in that first post.

Why did I choose the name "The Journeyman" and whither goest he?

When thinking about a nome de blog I considered several ideas, some of which were pretty cheesy. I choose this one for two primary reasons.

First, The call of the Lord Jesus to each Christian is not "Say a sinners prayer so that you can go to heaven when you die. Meanwhile sit still in church and do not get into trouble!" His call to us is "The Kingdom of God is at hand! Turn from your selfish ways, believe my good news and come, follow me. I will make you fishers of men. Together we will go to seek and save the lost. Together we will see and hear what my Father is doing and join his work and mission. Join my journey of obedience to the Father. Come walk with me!"

What I will write here are observations and disciple notes of one guy learning (and forgetting and re-learning) how to walk with Jesus on His journey and join in His mission. It's all about Him, not me.

Second, in the world of trades and guilds, a journeyman is the next step up from an apprentice. Someone with this status is considered to be a skilled and trained worker who no longer needs to be taught the basics and overseen in everything he does. However, he is not yet a master carpenter, plumber, electrician, or whatever- he needs to work with a Master who will judge and vouch for his work.

I hope that after years (decades now) of experience in Christian leadership and teaching ministries that I have learned to do somethings well and have proven trustworthy. I have had the privilege to work with and be trained by many wise men in the Lord. But I always know that I need close attention from The Master or I will go astray. 

I'm only a Journeyman, not yet a master.

Celebrating an Ordination

Today we were honored to be present for the ordination of our son--in-law, Zane Hartfield, to the ministry at Grace Temple Church. (Twitter @gracetemple) We were totally impressed by the instructions and charge given by Pastor Dwayne Higgason.

May Zane's sphere of work and ministry be wide and broad, but may his walk with God be even deeper still.

The Noise and The Voice

The Noise & The Voice
(1 Kings 17:1, 19:11-12)

Noise is all around me,
sounds and lights, digital and real,
distracting mind and heart
with the banality of life.

Where is the Voice?
Does He still speak
even in the midst of chaos?

Speak, holy still small voice!
Enable me to hear.
Turn me from the cacophony
to the silence of your desert.

The Voice still speaks!
For you are the God
before whom I stand.
    
   

I'm Five Years Old Today!

...in blogging years, that is. Today "The Journeyman's Files" is five years old. I guess I'm almost ready for kindergarten! Here's a link to my very first post on April 1, 2008.

Thanks to all who have been on this journey with me from early on, and to those who have joined along the way. The journey continues!

Cutest Sheep in Bethlehem

Well, in my totally unbiased opinion, I think my little grandson is the cutest little sheep in the Christmas play. Wouldn't you agree?

Veterans Day Salute

Today is Veterans Day in the USA. November 11 was originally called Armistice Day, in memory of the end of World War I. It is now called Veterans Day in honor of all U.S. military veterans.I wish to make special recognition today for and to:

1. My Dad (Col. B.F. Simmons, USAF, retired), my late Grandfather (Jefferson L. Simmons, Mississippi National Guard in WWI in France), my late Uncle Franklin Simmons (Navy "Sea Bee" in WWII), Uncle Charles Shirley (Air Force), Uncle Hal Shirley (Army National Guard), Uncle Cranford Nelson (Navy), Cousin Harry Nelson (Navy), Cousin Jimmy Walters (Marine Corps), Cousin Shain Vice (Major, US Army), Brother-in-law Gary Meier (Army), nephew Dale Meier (Army, 82nd Airborne), and any other family members I'm forgetting.

2. All our men and women serving and protecting us on the front lines of Afghanistan, and many other dangerous places around the world.

3. All current and retired American veterans.

4. The families of those lost in Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, and so many other places.

I am thankful and grateful for your service and sacrifice.

Go Away, Isaac

Here's a link to my memories of Katrina, seven years ago today.

May Isaac be only a breeze in comparison. Lord, have mercy. Please pray for all of us in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Awaiting Heaven's Biscuits

Ten years ago today my grandmother, Norene Yeager Shirley, went to be with the Lord after 93 years on this earth. I'd give anything to be able to go back in time to hug her and tell her I love her. Wish I'd done that more often when I still had the chance. I'd live to just one more time be able to drive up the dirt road to the old farmhouse and see her standing on the porch with open arms welcoming me, with a lemon icebox pie waiting on the table ready to eat.

At the time of her death she was survived by 8 of her 9 children (two of them have since passed on) and by 29 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. The number of her descendents has continued since then to grow exponentially! She left a tremendous inheritance of faith to her family. We all miss her and value her example and legacy.

Keep the biscuits warm in heaven's ovens, Mamma Shirley. We will be expecting a hot meal when we get there.

4th Anniversary of This Blog

Four years ago today "The Journeyman's Files" began its life on the world-wide interwebs. No April fooling; I really did start blogging on April 1, 2008.

Thanks to all of you who continue to visit and read. I pray that you are blessed in some way by my feeble writings and my harvests from writers who so much better than I am. Thanks to all who have followed this blog through Google, Networked Blogs or in some other way. I've been overwhelmed by the response

God bless you all!
 

New Facebook Page

I've set up a new Facebook page for this blog. This is an experiment, and I do not know if it will work or if I will keep it.

Let me know what you think!

A Personal Note

I haven't been on the web as much as usual for the past few days due to a family medical crises.  Yesterday, my 83 year old mother had cancer surgery.  I am overjoyed to report that her prognosis looks good, the surgeon thinks that they got it all, and does not think that she will need chemotherapy. She was discharged from the hospital today and went home to recover in peace.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for all the grace and mercy we have received this week, for the prayer support of our family and friends, for the wisdom and skill given to a great doctor, and for your healing power at work in Mom's body. And thanks for the Christian testimony of my Mom and Dad and their example of a strong marriage.

To God be the glory!

To All of You On the Good Earth

Forty three years ago tonight, Christmas Eve 1968, I was a 12 year old boy with a Christmas television dilemma. On one channel the annual Red Skelton Christmas special was on. Our family really loved Red Skelton, and we all wanted to watch it. But on another channel was one of the most exciting events in human history - a live television broadcast from the Moon!

I was a space fanatic who wanted to grow up to be an astronaut. I knew all the astronauts by name. I cried in January 1967 when three men died in the Apollo 1 fire. They were my heroes. I had models of the various spacecraft and wanted to explain to anyone who would listen what was happening out at the moon.

Therefore, I chose both. Sitting inches from our black and white TV, I manually switched channels back and forth to see both the Skelton show and the moon broadcast.

Thus I was able to hear these words: "And for all the people back on earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message we would like to send to you. 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth..'" The You Tube clip above is a recording of what I saw and heard that night.

The Apollo 8 astronaut crew of Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders took turns reading Genesis 1 from the King James Version of the Bible. As they read the ancient words, the on board TV camera showed the lunar landscape passing underneath the small and lonely spacecraft. The memory of hearing and watching that broadcast, and experiencing it live, is still awe inspiring even after 40 years.

Commander Frank Borman closed the broadcast with "And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, and a Merry Christmas to all of you, all of you on the good Earth." Here's wishing a Merry Christmas this night, forty three years later, to all of you on the good earth.

Veterans Day 2011

 Today is Veterans Day in the USA. November 11 was originally called Armistice Day, in memory of the end of World War I. It is now called Veterans Day in honor of all U.S. military veterans.I wish to make special recognition today for and to:

1. My Dad (Col. B.F. Simmons, USAF, retired), my late Grandfather (Jefferson L. Simmons, Mississippi National Guard in WWI in France), my late Uncle Franklin Simmons (Navy "Sea Bee" in WWII), Uncle Charles Shirley (Air Force), Uncle Hal Shirley (Army National Guard), Uncle Cranford Nelson (Navy), Cousin Harry Nelson (Navy), Cousin Jimmy Walters (Marine Corps), Cousin Shain Vice (Major, US Army), Brother-in-law Gary Meier (Army), nephew Dale Meier (Army, 82nd Airborne), and any other family members I'm forgetting.

2. All our men and women serving and protecting us on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan, and many other places around the world.

3. All current and retired American veterans.

4. The families of those lost in Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, and so many other places.

I am thankful and grateful for your service and sacrifice.