tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112618372009-07-03T08:37:10.985-04:00<p align="center"> <img src="http://www.theduggans.org/gemsbanner.jpg"></p> <p align="center"><b> <big>Updated Every Tuesday and Friday</big></b></p>Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.comBlogger360125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-80803829198401788772009-07-03T08:14:00.004-04:002009-07-03T08:37:10.995-04:00

A flag is great thing to have and to display. But what is the point, really, if we never notice it? A flag is a symbol, and a symbol only has meaning when we reflect on it and consider its meanings.Most of us are aware that Betsy Ross sewed our first flag in May of 1776. But why the particular design and why the particular colors? Were these the only materials she had available to her? Were they

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-40161719774920624142009-06-30T06:00:00.000-04:002009-06-30T06:00:25.389-04:00

How important really is the local church? The Bible certainly teaches that one's membership in a local church does not guarantee a spot in heaven. Many would argue that the Church is a universal body made up of all believers in Jesus Christ regardless of denominational affiliation, or even with such an affiliation at all. Since God is everywhere, conceivably one could worship God just as

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-55343198839013150432009-06-26T08:45:00.003-04:002009-06-26T08:56:11.929-04:00

Thursday saw the death of two American cultural icons – Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Earlier this week, former tonight show co-host and TV pitchman Ed McMahon passed away. Their deaths have garnered and will continue to garner the attention of the American public for the next several days.In contrast, on Thursday, we honored the passing of a dear church member, Joan Lawhorn. Joan was a

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-73041791189653750252009-06-23T08:57:00.002-04:002009-06-23T09:05:56.304-04:00

Bekah helped me make mashed potatoes last night. She has watched me do it several times and wanted to help. I peeled and sliced the potatoes and put them on to boil, but when the time came to cream them, I called on her. She has seen me mash them by hand before, but last night, I let her use the electric mixer to beat them. You should have seen how much she enjoyed that mixer, especially when

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-30540054906280915172009-06-19T06:00:00.002-04:002009-06-19T06:02:43.635-04:00

Every time Preacher Tom preached a sermon Brother Clem needed to hear, Clem would shake the preacher's hand as he left and enthusiastically declare, "You sure told 'em today, Preacher!" Preacher Tom grew increasingly frustrated with Clem's inability to "hear and heed the voice of the Lord."One Sunday, a late Saturday night snowstorm prevented anyone from making it to the church . . . except

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-63511416750950081222009-06-16T06:00:00.004-04:002009-06-16T07:57:00.686-04:00

I have seen signs similar to the one of above over the doors of several churches, reminders to us as we exited that the world is our mission field. In reality, we could place the same sign over the doors of our homes, reminding us that being on-mission is not just a Sunday practice, but an everyday lifestyle. In a very real sense, all of us who claim the name of Jesus are missionaries to our

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-75935273390546295672009-06-12T07:00:00.000-04:002009-06-12T07:00:00.888-04:00

At our previous residence, we lived across the road from a hayfield. I love hayfields. I love to watch the mowers, rakes, and balers. I love the smell of freshly cut hay. I remember a few humorous times as I mowed my yard and the hay man cutting his field, we would pass by every few laps and wave at each other – me on my 38" cut John Deere™ and he on his big tractor.Every February or March,

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-50614003795552041252009-06-09T07:05:00.001-04:002009-06-09T07:05:14.331-04:00

They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are short, some fat. Some are tall, some skinny. Some move fast, some are slow. Some breathe, walk, and talk. Others blink, clink, beep, or roar. What are they? Idols.When we think of idols, we think of tiki statues, buddhas, or some other carved image to which others bow down. Idols are something that natives on Pacific islands worship or

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-67568874818137997682009-06-04T10:40:00.005-04:002009-06-05T08:21:29.164-04:00

I have enjoyed a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School. Our team of workers has been fantastic and the kids have had a large time. Our theme this year took us to Australia and the title was Boomerang Express: It All Comes Back to Jesus. VBS encouraged us to remember no matter what happens in life that Jesus is the most important part of it all.Kids learn these lessons so easily. What about

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-67650363074492611742009-06-02T09:22:00.004-04:002009-06-02T09:36:13.876-04:00

How do you stand someone who is not as perfect as you are?While that question may seem a bit facetious, often we tend group the people we know into categories. The GREEN category contains people we like. They think like us, act like us, enjoy the same things we enjoy, view life the same way we view it. The YELLOW category consists of people about whom we are indifferent. Maybe we don't know

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-85813799867371227372009-05-28T13:59:00.003-04:002009-05-29T07:02:48.452-04:00

Do Christians walk through dark times? Certainly we do. Just a casual reading of the Psalms reveals a plethora of emotions and a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) The several times Scripture encourages us not to lose heart would presuppose the reality that we will from time to time.However

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-43239926668367969542009-05-26T09:11:00.002-04:002009-05-26T09:15:56.196-04:00

One of the most helpful tools to come down the pipe is the personal Global Positioning System, the GPS. A GPS can direct you to any desired location, help you find alternate routes, and keep you apprised of your progress, including warning you when you go off track.My GPS comes with a choice of about six or seven different voices that tell me where to go, when to turn, and when to stop. Those

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-40798050787769825312009-05-21T23:44:00.005-04:002009-05-22T07:05:29.033-04:00

High school graduation is this weekend in Tift County and many families will celebrate a significant milestone in the life of their children as they complete High School. Today also marks a milestone in the Duggan household – my little girl will no longer be a kindergartener. At least I guess not. We haven't seen her report card yet. I get the feeling Ms Dean would not flunk her for fear she

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-31307410041490522242009-05-18T13:48:00.005-04:002009-05-19T05:41:35.278-04:00

Do you ever feel pulled in several different directions?We all carry several titles all at once. For instance, I am husband, daddy, pastor, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, citizen, client, customer, patient, user . . . just to name a few. With each title comes a set of expectations and obligations; some pleasurable, some grievous, some merely innocuous. We all have received much and of us,

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-22151867932816488812009-05-13T11:18:00.004-04:002009-05-15T06:52:33.278-04:00

Have I ever mentioned I HATE snakes? Really, I do. I hate poisonous snakes, because they are poisonous, I hate non-poisonous snakes because I don't know they are non-poisonous, I hate dead snakes because they look like they are alive, and I even hate rubber snakes because . . . well, because they look like real snakes.Snakes periodically shed their skin to make room for growth and to remove

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-2043617131630672662009-05-12T02:00:00.003-04:002009-05-12T02:04:34.852-04:00

"It's not nice to stare." That is what we are taught and that is what we teach our daughter. Nothing is creepier than feeling the cold stare of a total stranger.But when it comes to our dreams and aspirations, we all stare at something or someone. Maybe our gaze is on a family member or a close friend, acquaintance, or even a celebrity. IF we could just be like them, then our lives would be

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-14102479315217180682009-05-08T00:13:00.002-04:002009-05-08T00:21:19.106-04:00

If you are a sports fan, you know the name Manny Ramirez. If you are not a sports fan, let me give you a brief summary. Manny Ramirez is an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before the Dodgers, Manny played for the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox.Manny is one of the best hitters in major league baseball today, but he is also sports one of the most notorious attitudes. His attitude

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-77977305715096120542009-05-05T06:59:00.003-04:002009-05-05T07:00:34.206-04:00

When God created man, He said, "It is not good for man to be alone." God then created woman as a complimentary companion for man. However, the companionship did not end there. As the earth populated, people congregated first as families, then extended families, and eventually into communities and villages.God intends for us to connect with others and enjoy the blessings of fellowship, mutual

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-8126760769081708652009-05-01T03:10:00.002-04:002009-05-01T03:19:53.802-04:00

I knew this blog was coming but I never knew exactly what it would contain. Dad passed away last night sometime around 9:45. While you know the news is coming, you never fully prepare for it. Thoughts (and tears) flowed freely as I made the drive from Ty Ty to Macon.One word seemed to stitch all of my thoughts together tightly like a suture closing an emotional incision: VICTORY. At first

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-83595751541672523712009-04-26T23:21:00.004-04:002009-04-27T23:14:33.709-04:00

It has been a difficult few weeks in the Duggan family. We have watched Dad slowly lose his grip on this life and move toward the next. While we know that this time will come for all of us, we can never fully prepare for it to occur in the life of someone so dear.I still remember the day I drove back home from Macon after going to dad's last doctor's visit . . . just 33 days ago. The doctor

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-68784745535205795622009-04-23T22:07:00.003-04:002009-04-23T22:15:29.863-04:00

Ed Stetzer is President of Lifeway Research and Lifeway's resident missiologist. In a recent blog, Ed made a statement that reverberated through my head, shook my heart, and penetrated the depths of my soul. I did much soul searching after reading this statement:People do not change until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.I am afraid that many of us who claim the

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-48320269513626432442009-04-21T09:19:00.003-04:002009-04-21T09:21:26.832-04:00

I joined several generous souls yesterday who donated blood at the American Red Cross blood drive at our church. For some of us, giving a pint of blood is nothing more than just a few moments of our time, but for others, giving is physically and/or emotionally difficult. I admire those women and men who continue to donate in spite of the difficulty giving presents to them. They see a need and

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-57812989614462307022009-04-16T09:58:00.002-04:002009-04-16T10:01:00.521-04:00

Trust is a beautiful thing. It is also a rare commodity these days. We live in a day and age where everyone seems to be out for themselves and their perceived best interests. Many who read this can testify to the sting of misplaced trust. You trusted someone who let you down in a big way. Take heart, even Jesus faced trust issues.But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-41277184774802866212009-04-13T08:24:00.002-04:002009-04-13T08:29:14.255-04:00

They had made the journey to Jerusalem for Passover and now they were on their way home. Nothing like a 3-hour walk home after a miserable experience. When the stranger joined them on their journey, he inquired as to the reason for their long faces and melancholy, so they recounted their story to him.They participated in the wave of excitement surrounding Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. They cast

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-66145074218035332932009-04-11T08:00:00.003-04:002009-04-11T08:07:12.528-04:00

The Bible doesn't tell us much about the Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. The Gospel accounts tell us that Jesus' friends hurriedly prepared Him for burial due to the soon approaching Sabbath.We can imagine what they must have been feeling because we have all experienced the pain of loss and shattered dreams. It's almost paralyzing isn't it? After all, they had invested

Jim Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385765489869011230noreply@blogger.com0