*We're on the road again, this time to New Jersey. Marlene and I are flying to Philadelphia where our good friend Pastor Paul Barreca will pick us up and drive us to Vineland. I first met Paul several years ago at Word of Life in New York. Then I spoke for him at Faith Bible Church in Vineland. This weekend we're speaking at Faith for a couples conference on Saturday, then at the church on Sunday, and then to local pastors on Monday. God willing, we'll be back in Tupelo late Monday night.

*That means we'll need to take Gary and Dudley, our fine basset hounds, over to my brother Alan's house. When we travel Alan usually keeps our dogs. So here's a shout out to my brother who celebrated his birthday yesterday.

*Speaking of basset hounds, check out this blog called Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. It's all good, but I've linked to the section about her basset hound Charlie. Some great pictures. I think Dudley and Gary would get along just fine with Charlie. 

*Speaking of hamburgers (how's that for a transition), Barb King sent me a link to Jumpin' Jack's, the famous drive-in near Albany, New York. Each year I promise Barb and Mike that we're going to visit Jumpin' Jack's and sample their burgers. Maybe this year I can keep my promise. 

*Ole Miss plays Northern Arizona this Saturday night in a game they should win handily. I'll be happy if Jevan Snead doesn't throw another interception. Been an up and down year for my favorite college team.

*Speaking of the World Series, I'm sorry it didn't go to seven games. I haven't paid any attention to baseball in the last few years, but for some reason I started watching the series this year and enjoyed it. Gotta love those Philadelphia fans waving their white towels. 

*Speaking of New Jersey again, I don't expect to meet him but I'm happy about their new governor.

*Near the top of my reading list:  The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer That Turns the Heart to God by Frederica Matthewes-Green.

*From the "Why We Do What We Do" Department:

"I am a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church in UK who is considering to serve God full time as a Pastor/ Minister. Along with my own studies I read all sermons I receive from Pastor Ray without fail. They are a wealth of knowledge. I praise God for that. Quite often I share them with my house group and the prayer meetings I conduct every fortnight."

Gotta love that, especially the meetings he leads every fortnight. Very cool, fortnight. I think the Brits use it more than we do. Has a nice ring to it. "I'll be back in a fortnight." Is that a proper usage? I don't know but it sounds good.

You can reach the author at ray@keepbelieving.com. Click here to sign up for the free weekly email sermon.