November 17; Jim was born on this date in 1939. He'd have been 75 years old today!

And Jamie and I have decided to celebrate it. As I write this note, she is one her way from her Des Moines area home to be here in time for coffee with her dad's weekday coffee group.

Here is our celebration list:

* whoever has a birthday at the Pizza Ranch coffee group buys breakfast pizza for the others. It begins at 9 and Jamie will meet me there. We are buying pizza;

* next we bought a cake to take out to the clinic. To celebrate the 'big' day. It is for Dr. Nagel and his staff as a thank you for keeping Jim 'in the game' (and pretty successfully) for at least 25 years;

* we have errands to run, but want to stop at Jim's 'day time' card playing place to drop off a check to buy a single drink for those who stop by to play cards or eat lunch to 'celebrate Jim's birthday';

* because Jim spent so much time there for playing cards, eating a sandwich because he was retired for 20 years, Jamie and I are going to eat lunch at Chappy's early to celebrate THE DAY, Jim's day, and our time together to 'remember';

* Hiz Kidz, a Christian-based ecumenical after school program on Monday's, made sympathy cards for us. As a mentor, I want to tell them 'thanks for their efforts' and remind them that our meeting and learning together, is what life and death are all about. There is life, a good one, after this one is over. And what is a birthday without birthday treats. We'll give one for each of the nearly 70 kids who attend each week.

* A group of guys play cards one evening each week at friends two-stall garage northeast of Clarion. Evenings move around each week, according to schedules. They are playing tonight. The Weld family is furnishing pizza for the players.

We are celebrating Jim's life, lots of good memories, and a day we will remember as long as we can 'remember'.

*

This was last Friday's Max Lucado writing. Maybe it was because of the name 'Jim'; maybe it was because it's as close to Jim's birthday as it was; maybe it is because the story made me think of the kind and gentle nature of Jim, that I liked it.

Here you go:

CRY OUT TO JESUS

"My friend Jim has battled a muscular condition much of his adult life. The atrophy slurs his speech and impairs his walk. But it doesn't diminish his faith or erase his smile.

"One Sunday we asked church members to park in the back lot and leave the closest spots for guests. As I arrived, I saw Jim. He had parked in the distant corner and was walking toward the sanctuary. His life is an example. I pray that God will heal Jim's body. But until He does, God is using Jim to inspire people like me.

"God will do the same with you. He will use your struggle to change others. Or--he may use your struggle to change you! Disease cannot destroy us. And death has lost its sting. Cry out to Jesus in the power of a simple prayer! He will heal you---instantly or gradually or for sure, ultimately!"

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