When I was a freshman in college. . .we were asked to write a paper on the greatest man we’d ever met. It was an easy and immediate decision for me . . .I wrote about my Father.

Since that first year of college. . .I’ve met five Presidents, two Vice-Presidents, numerous Generals, Admirals, sports stars, singers, international ministry leaders and assorted other celebrities and persons in authority.

If I were asked to write the same paper during this the 25^thanniversary of my 39^thbirthday year. . .I would still write about my father. . .for whom I will always call Daddy, so why change.

Has God ever used a conversation with someone to ignite a word in your spirit?

That happened to me as I was talking with Doug, a faithful ministry partner and friend from Saint Augustine, Florida.

When I asked Doug, who is a very successful land developer, how things were going. . . he said, “Well Brother Harold, the best way to describe it is ‘maintaining.’  I’ve just been maintaining for the past two years.”

1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.

2. Don’t start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

3. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don’t push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows the car to function at peak efficiency.

4. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to “volume of measurement.”

5. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first “click” of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.

6. Never exceed legal speed limit. Traveling at 55 mph gives you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.

7. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

8. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you “nurse it along.”
However, if you cause the engine to “bog down,” premature wearing of engine parts occurs.

9. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.

10. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but it affects your gas usage if he slows down unexpectedly.

11. Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you’re on it.

12. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts “mechanical drag” on components, wearing them down prematurely. This “dragging” also demands additional fuel usage.

13. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

14. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the “green light” all the way.

15. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.

16. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.

17. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner’s manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.

18. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.

19. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer’s specifications for maximum tire pressures.

20. When buying a new car bear in mind that a fancy sun roof, while visually attractive, disturbs smooth air flow thus lowering gas mileage.

21. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.

22. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by one to two percent and even more if driving up inclines.

23. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater “steady speed” economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.

24. Would you like to know where to find the cheapest gas in your neighborhood? Go to: http://www.gasbuddy.com/It is comprised of 170 gas price information web sites that help people find low gasoline prices. Check it out.

 

The howling wind was piercing the night so loudly. . .I thought about Googling to determine whether or not. . .Gatlinburg, Tennessee had ever experienced a tornado.

As I type this. . .I’m sitting at a desk in a room on the 13^thfloor of the Park Vista Doubletree Hotel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

I was awakened over two hours ago. . .at 4:30 AM by the very loud whistling of the wind outside our room.  The only light in this room. . .is the one emanating from my computer screen. 

According to an app of my iPhone. . .there is a weather advisory about winds from 25 to 40 miles per hours (mph) with gusts up to 70 mph.  The wind noise is so loud that it even woke our Babygirl Alex who was asleep in the next room.

I have a dear friend. . .a brilliant man. . .who is, in fact, a member of the Mensa Society, with an IQ of over 120.

In the midst of any conversation. . .whether about politics, people or ideas. . .he is prone to say. . . “Let’s get this conversation back where it belongs. . .on me.”

For my friend, the statement is just a way of having fun. . .or re-directing the conversation but it doesn’t have to be on him. . .he isn’t self-centered in the least.

However, we do live in a “me” society.

“What’s in it for me?”