Vol. III, # 25, Jan. 28, 2005

Shepson Beth Tells It Like It Is

Last week Shepson Beth Wilson (remember our weekly humility in the Elizabeth B. Wilson Multipurpose Municipal Auditorium). Last week Shepson Beth did not get her tribute to Bob to PH in time for publishing in last week's PHA. Maybe Shepson Beth was at an inauguration ball or just singing some of those old hymns. Her tribute is outstanding and is presented below for all to read.

WHO IS BOB SHEPHERD?

Sweet son of Honey and Mildred Shepherd

Brother Bob to Susan and Walter

Rebellious (or independent thinking) youth

Wild W&L student who led Julia Jett astray

Devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather

Fanatic sports fan

Brilliant scholar

Dedicated Teacher

Faithful Servant

Exacting (and Exalted) Law Professor

Articulate Spokesman

Advocate for those without a voice

Mission-minded Churchman

Moderator

Renaissance Man

Lover of literature, music, drama, sports, food, and a good argument

Liberal Democrat

My Friend

Beth Wilson
Admirer

Donald Deer Had Lithotripsy Yesterday

Donald Deer had a lithotripsy performed yesterday. PH does not know the results at this writing. Shortly after the inauguration, Bible translator Donald sent PH the following suggested text for the inaugural.

Text for Inauguration from Donald Deer

Jonah 4.6a
The LORD God appointed a plant . . . (RSV)

BUT

The LORD God appointed a bush . . . (NRSV)

Donald S. Deer

PH checked these texts out and the NSRV does use the word 'bush." If you are interested, you might read in Jonah what happens to the bush. This is not a political statement, but humor. Any right leaning Shepsons just loosen your grip a little bit.

Additional Recent News from Donald Deer

Reconstruction of two items of news, as reported orally to the Pilgrim Place community at dinner on January 18, 2005, by Donald S. Deer:

1) There are a couple of features in connection with the Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State confirmation hearing that may have gone unnoticed: a) As a Secretary of State, Colin Powell is [unavoidably] more outgoing than Condoleezza Rice. But that's not the most important point. b) Since she is a P.K.*, they're wondering and worrying overseas whether she might not try to make them into rice Christians**.

2) Today's Los Angeles Times reported that a Syrian Catholic archbishop was kidnapped yesterday in Mosul. But on the radio and TV today they were reporting his release. It turns out that the kidnappers were not insurgents after all, they were zoological researchers, and that it was a case of mistaken identity. They thought he was a primate*** in a muzzle.
________________________
[explanations not given in oral announcement]

* P.K. = preacher's kid

** rice Christian: a convert to Christianity who accepts baptism not on the basis of personal conviction but out of a desire for food, medical services, or other benefits ([Merriam-]Webster's Third New International Dictionary)

*** primate: 1 . . . a bishop who has precedence in a province, group of provinces, or a nation . . . 3 : a mammal of the order Primates ([Merriam-]Webster's Third New International Dictionary)

Prayer Rounds

Remember in your prayers: Donald and Barbara Deer, Diane and Don Retzer, Kathy Wade's former brother-in-law and his family, Tom Hicks and his family, Rob and Donna Brown, Beth Wilson and her aunt's family, Jackie Everett, the VCU BSU, Shoney's employee Vivian Martin and her husband Ray, Cecil and Dot Sherman, Peggy Harris and her family, Kim Williams and her family, Rick and Linda Mears, Audrey Thomson's sister Sharon Ruben and Sharon's family, Jared Oliver, Julia Tyler and her parents, Mary and Julian Pentecost, Kay and Bob Culpeper, John and Margaret Oliver, the Church clergy and staff. Prayers should also be offered for the elections in Iraq, our military and civilians in harm's way, those with losses in Asia and those only known to you.

Shepson Gene Will Continue with David or Will He?

Teacher Bob was getting to the "heart of David" Sunday before last when his lesson was interrupted by the bell and the time of special recognition began. PH believes that Shepson Gene may start around First Samuel 16: 7, but one can never be sure.

Snow and Ice Scare the Faithful

Pastor Mike informed PH that about one hundred folks were present for worship last Sunday. Eight of that number were visitors and two people joined the church. Mike picked up Carl Freeman (with his car) and brought him to church. At 10:30 AM there were only two choir members present, but by 11 AM sixteen choir members processed down the aisle. The choir sang two anthems and Mike preached his sermon, which hopefully we can all read on the church's website in a few weeks. PH was among the fearful faithful and stayed home. PH has had too many scary moments on ice and Brenda blocked the door. Brenda is fearless, but she does exercise good judgment. The icy situation reminded PH of a random act of kindness that occurred while PH was in college at Washington and Lee University. PH sent a recollection of this simple act to a friend who graduated from VMI and lives in Lexington. The story reads:

It is snowing here tonight and snow always reminds me of many hazardous experiences that I had in Lexington dealing with snow on the hill at W&L. One snowy afternoon during my junior year I was walking up the hill on the sidewalk just to the north of Lee Chapel. I was headed to an organic chemistry class and was carrying a load of books. When I got about halfway up the hill on the sidewalk, I suddenly realized that I was standing on a slim layer of ice. Some of the snow had melted on the grass, flowed on to the sidewalk and had frozen again. I was afraid to take another step because I knew I would go down and would have a lot of difficulty getting up. About that time, three keynotes walked up. They had perceived my dilemma. Without any show of pity, one of them simply said, "Sir, may we give you a hand?" I said, "Sure, I would be most grateful." They got me under the arms and shoulders and stabilized my next few steps until I was off the ice. I said, "Thank you" again and went to my class. I never even knew any of their names. This was just one random act of kindness that I received from VMI keydets and W&L students during my four years in Lexington.

Charlotte Ladd Is Twenty-nine on Monday

Where in Australia Is Teacher Bob?

Has anyone heard from Teacher Bob since he left for down under? PH has not. However, via means of a google search, PH found Kangaroo Bob. His photo is attached to this PHA.

Weather permitting Shepson Gene Damon will continue with the story of David, beginning around First Samuel 16: 7. However, as of this writing, Channel 12 Gene Cox news predicts the possibility of snow, sleet and freezing rain for Saturday night and Sunday morning. If it is a déjà vu, maybe the same sixteen choristers will show up again and sing "Showers of Blessings" and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Despondency

Silent and Sad,
When all are glad,
And the earth is dressed in flowers;
When the gay birds sing
Till the forests ring,
As they rest in woodland bowers.

Oh, why these tears,
And these idle fears
For what may come tomorrow?
The birds find food
From God so good,
And the flowers know no sorrow.

If He clothes these
And the leafy trees,
Will He not cherish thee?
Why doubt His care;
It is everywhere,
Though the way we may not see.

by Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), written at age eleven

PH

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