I started a missive last week with Matthew 18 as the basis. This will be a bit of a ramble, as my thoughts are only in time with my typing fingertips.
Matthew 18 (The Message Translation)
1 At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?"
2 -5For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. 6 -7"But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't. You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse—and it's doomsday to you if you do.
Two things jump out of the first passage. First, no matter what things, what actions, what human definitions we come up with - faith is simple. Jesus himself said so - "unless you return to square one and start over like children." How much more plain could it be? I've heard that even though we might have our "fire insurance" by way of salvation, we must work work work to "earn greater rewards" and to "store up our treasure" in Heaven. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying punch the salvation ticket and then run do whatever feels good. Certainly we must live in a manner that doesn't cause our brother to stumble. Yes, there are later New Testament teachings from the apostles to strive on, continue to reach higher for the cause of Christ. But again, He said it "unless you return to square one and start over like children"... Are we missing something in this teaching? Is He saying that when we get to a point we just can't seem to figure "it" out, to step back, regroup, and start over? To go back to where we were as we began our walk of faith?
8 -9"If your hand or your foot gets in the way of God, chop it off and throw it away. You're better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire. And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. You're better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell.
I'm not sure about this...scratching my head as I type....I might come back to it in a later blog.
10"Watch that you don't treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don't you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?
12 -14"Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn't he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn't want to lose even one of these simple believers.
Oh wow, this might get long. I've vented and ranted on here just a little, and in private to some of my readers about feeling on the "outside" a lot lately. Yeah, there's a cursory phone call on a rare occasion. But I'm guilty too...I've been one of the 99 that knew a church member was missing in action. And I didn't step out. I'm not sitting here crying that I'm the 1 sheep, but I can say I've been on both sides. Why don't we as a church do a better job at bringing our own back into the family? What point have we reached in our "faith" to be able to sit back and either do nothing, talk about doing something but yet still sit idle, or to "feel" for the missing member...but we never DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?!?!?! We do it, and we justify our inaction through our self-serving "empathy" for the fallen member. I'm not talking about the truly LOST; I mean those of the family of the redeemed who've fallen by the wayside. Empathy feels good, but it gains nothing. Did the shepherd just feel bad for the missing sheep? Did he call the other 99 together and discuss how pitiful a situation the 1 sheep must be in, and pray for his safe return? Did he call, text, or email the sheep with well-wishes? Did he find the sheep and offer to feed him while he explained to the sheep how to find his way back to the fold? Go back and re-read the passage and see what the shepherd did.
15 -17"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love.
18 -20"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."
I've hit on this before too, either on here or privately. It's a tough-love that lets you do what Jesus says. But thankfully I've been on the receiving end from a loving and caring brother. And once, I've been the one going to a brother. Is it easy? NO! But having been on both sides, I can assure you it's far more of a blessing than any degree of "empathy" you can muster for anyone. The family of faith is just like any other family. We'll have our times where we disagree. But lets disagree and come back into agreement privately. We gain nothing in going to others to "discuss the situation" until it's forgotten about, but left unresolved. We're given here a step-by-step way to work things out with each other. And if all else fails, look what Jesus says - just like with the children earlier - go back and start from scratch. Don't throw someone under the bus. Back up, take a deep breath, and start over with love.
21At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"
22Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
23 -25"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
26 -27"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
28"The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'
29 -31"The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
32 -35"The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."
Wow. Re-read that again. Ok do it just one more time. Now....let's talk. Which is worse? Is it worse for me to forgive the contraventions of my brothers against me, yet be "talked about" around town...."I can't believe he said he forgave him for that!!" Or what about "I'm not sure I can forgive you for...."? The servant has his gift of forgiveness taken away because he refused to forgive another brother. We're human, yes. Emotions are very real and very difficult to sometimes see through. But if I refuse to forgive someone, am I not putting my very own forgiveness in peril? Re-read that last sentence in the passage. Powerful stuff.
I never intended to sound "preachy", because I have PLENTY of my own faults. I struggle with forgiveness, and pray for the ability to forgive, because I know my forgiveness wasn't earned. Absolutely nothing I have done warranted the Master and Creator to send his Son to be unrelentingly tortured and humiliated with common thieves. But He did.
I'm forgiven, because you were foresaken.... I'm accepted, You were condemned..... I'm alive and well, Your spirit is within me..... Because you died and rose again.....
Amazing Love, how can it be, That you MY KING would die for me? Amazing Love, I know it's true, And it's my joy to honor You....
I haven't forgotten about the Matthew 18 blog I started. I'll get to it.
I swiped this from The Bolivar Commercial - one of Cleveland, Mississippi's two newspapers. For years their editorials have always been reflective of their community, and their personal views. This one was published yesterday, March 26, 2009.
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 - The Bolivar Commercial (Cleveland, MS)
In these soul-trying times, we are constantly amazed at the lessons nature teaches us about faith, life in general and even patriotism.
We thought about that the other day as we walked across our backyard and were surrounded by birds welcoming the new spring day with song. Yes, we’re in the midst of a deepening recession and our country remains at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, but nobody told the birds. Gloom was not to be found in the treetops; there were only birds singing in the orchestra of spring.
It is said that “faith is the bird that feels the light and sings to greet the dawn while it is still dark.” That we could—and would—do the same.
Canada geese, which flock to the Mississippi Delta in winter, teach us several lessons about life. By flocking together and flying in a V-formation, they can travel non-stop 70 percent farther than if they were flying alone, which is a good lesson in unity. They mate for life and they fiercely project their goslings. If one gets sick or is shot, two geese break ranks and fly down with it, remaining until the goose gets better or dies.
The mockingbird sings through the night in the early spring. We wondered how many of us are able to do that in the dark times we are experiencing.
In addition, Alexander Rutledge told how a mockingbird is a lover of freedom, recounting that as a young boy he was always catching and caging wild things. He particularly loved the sound of the mockingbird, so he decided to catch one and keep it so he could hear it sing any time.
He found a young mockingbird and placed it in a cage outside his home. On the second day, he saw a mother bird fly to the cage and feed the young bird through the bars. This pleased Archibald. But then the following morning he found the little bird was dead.
Later young Arch was talking to the renowned ornithologist, Arthur Wayne, who told him, “A mother mockingbird, finding her young in a cage, will sometimes take it poisonous berries. She evidently thinks it better for one she loves to die rather than live in captivity.”
It’s an example we here in America, “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” should take to heart. Our all-volunteer military is finding it so hard to recruit new members, it is having to extend the enlistment of many of our soldiers.
And, of course, this being early spring, all kinds of wildflowers are popping up, and by the little prayer chapel, thousands of tiny flowers grow, each in the shape of the Cross of Jesus. How appropriate for this Lenten season.
But there was a difference this year. In past years, the cross-shaped flowers were always white. This year, however, the little crosses were both blue and sometimes even purple.
They reminded us of a song we heard years ago that told the story of two little boys who were decorating the Cross for an Easter parade float with flowers. When their pastor saw what they were doing, he frowned, saying something to the effect, “Oh no, flowers don’t belong on the Cross. It was a cruel instrument of death. There was nothing beautiful about it.”
To which one of the little boys replied, “But Pastor, everything Jesus touches He makes more beautiful.”
Even the thousands of pinpoints of light that fill the nighttime sky declare the glory of God as it says in the 119th Psalm. We remember one moonless night looking up at the brightly shining stars and recalling the saying “that it is only when you are surrounded by darkness can you see the stars.”
Similarly it was dark last night as a thunderstorm swept through Bolivar and Sunflower counties. At one point a bolt of lightning struck near the house, rattling the windows and frightening Calie, the calico cat, so badly that she jumped off the love seat and scampered into the bedroom and hid under the bed.
Though momentarily shaken, we continued working on the editorial, remembering that God indicated in the Book of Job that “He made a law for the rain, and a path for the thunderbolt,” and that being the case, we found ourselves hoping that path wouldn’t include our house.
It turned out the storm passed causing no harm. But it did improve our prayer life.
In so many ways I easily related to the romance of the birds in this editorial. I hope you enjoy.
Not sure where this will go, and it will not be finished in this posting....but this has been on my mind lately for a whole lot of reasons. Now don't yall go trying to figure out "who is he talking about" because that's not what's important.......
The Book of Matthew, Chapter 18:
12 -14"Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn't he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn't want to lose even one of these simple believers.
15 -17"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love.
18 -20"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."
Psychomotor - of or relating to or characterizing mental events that have motor consequences or vice versa.
As an educator in public safety, one concept we have to be cognizant of is a student's psychomotor skills - or their ability and adaptability to learn to do things almost instinctively even when their mind is telling them differently. Firefighters must learn to turn off the survival instincts that tell most people to escape a burning building. The sensory inputs you and I normally enjoy (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) aren't availabe to a firefighter who's wearing thick gloves in a hot and smoky environment. Hazardous materials technicians are isolated from their environments by wearing bukly protective suits. Not only do they have to monitor danger levels in the external environment, their minds work double-time by monitoring their own internal environment...keenly aware of their own physical condition and limitations. EMT's and medics have to learn and practice their skills until they're as familiar as riding a bicycle or tying shoes. As instructors, we have to be sure they're overcoming what is a natural and instinctive survival response so they can do the job they're called to do. Big task!
This week I've been in a rope rescue technician course with some great firefighters from Greenwood and Greenville. My little group in the state health department seeks out as much technical training as we can, as we never know what types of emergencies we may become involved in. In addition to the specialized hazardous materials training for chemical, biological, and radiological materials, we take technical rescue training so we can support local authorities in a mass casualty incident (train accident, etc)
Standing 50 feet in the air on the edge of a perfectly good building with nothing but your toes and a half-inch rope holding you in place is NOT NORMAL. Using your feet as a pivot point and rotating out past the ledge is NOT NORMAL. Your brain is literally screaming out conflicting commands: "Pull yourself up!" or "Take a step down and try to catch the wall!" Your feet want to respond to the commands, as do your hands.
They "psycho" part of learning these new skills means that the intellectual part of my 3 pounds of neurons knows that the rope has a 9,000-pound rating, as does the secondary safety rope attached to my back. I know the heavy buckles that hold me to that rope are rated at 9,000 pounds of strength, and the harness I'm wearing is rated at 5,000 pounds.
But the "motor" part means I've got to learn to overcome the instincts with the new knowledge. NOT an easy thing to do! But repetition, and more repetition, and more slides down the rope mean that new skills are being learned. And its FUN to do too!
Why write about this? I have no clue, other than several of you who've seen the pictures have emailed or texted me with "NO WAY!" as the general theme of the comments. And there's a bit of a lesson too. I've had to put absolute trust in two things during training this week: my equipment, and my crew. You can't slide off a building on your own. It takes at least three for a safe slide: the man on the rope itself, another on the ground-end of your rope, and the man on your safety rope. The guy on the ground can make one simple move and completely stop you mid-air if you have a problem. If there's a catastrophic failure of your primary system, then the guy manning your safety line quite literally has your life in his hands. Remember, there's nothing below but air and concrete. No safety net.
Sometimes there's just no safety net, and you're depending on your surroundings and great people to hold you up. LET THEM! Your senses may be telling you differently, but sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and step off the "building" and let someone else watch out for you for a little while.
I'm in a Rope Rescue Technician class this week with the Greenwood Fire Department. Diving off a 4-story building on a half-inch of rope is a BLAST! You should see a picture slideshow below, or you can go here to see the pics full size. More pictures will be posted later in the week.
Yeah, you get a really good view of my left foot in one picture. When you go over a ledge, you have to rotate out until your legs are parallel to the ground before you step down onto the wall. Your brain is screaming at you to step earlier. Well I stepped just a second too late, when my body had just gained a little downward momentum. The result? Inversion on the line. But its not big deal, just see where you are on the line, find your equipment and flip back over then continue on a nice descent.
Jay and I spent Thursday afternoon and all day Friday on a cache run through part of the Delta, and up in the Grenada area. WOW! We learned several new things that we didn't already know, or had only heard about, and we got to see some great countryside, even though we were cold, wet, and very tired afterwards!
The coolest part of the trek was getting to sit on a very steep hillside near Grenada Lake with Jay and celebrate finding our 100th geocache. We'd not been "trying" to make a milestone, but as we got closer to it, we were looking forward to it. Now 100 may not sound like a whole lot, but it represents the effort of many weekend outings over a big portion of Mississippi. On those trips we've seen and learned a whole lot about our state. Our unofficial geocaching team motto is borrowed from the Blind Seer in the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou (2000): "You seek a great fortune...You will find a fortune, though it will not be the one you seek...You shall see thangs, wonderful to tell."
Indeed we have seen many "thangs" and several are wonderful to tell. Zebras, aplacas, Vietnam-era warbirds, little-known Civil War battle areas, memorials to the men and women who have protected our country from the Civil War through today, the rich history and unique beauty of the Mississippi Delta, the urban landscape of downtown Jackson, genuine juke-joints, and the list goes on and on.
The best reward has been something that neither of us will ever be able to measure. We've shared all those experiences, and the incalculable time spent between each one. The laughter, the long drives, the frustration when we sometimes cannot find a cache, the heat, the rain, the cold...but they're all worth every minute! We're constantly planning to share more as our geocaching horizions expand to new places, and I look forward to all of them.
I updated our online geocaching photo album. That link will take you to the first picture from this weekend, but feel free to browse back and forth through the whole album. I've dated each picture and included a brief note on most of them.
There's a lot in the full quote from the Blind Seer:
You seek a great fortune, you three who are now in chains. You will find a fortune, though it will not be the one you seek. But first... first you must travel a long and difficult road, a road fraught with peril. Mm-hmm. You shall see thangs, wonderful to tell. You shall see a... a cow... on the roof of a cotton house, ha. And, oh, so many startlements. I cannot tell you how long this road shall be, but fear not the obstacles in your path, for fate has vouchsafed your reward. Though the road may wind, yea, your hearts grow weary, still shall ye follow them, even unto your salvation.
Kind of like what the blind man "sees" ahead for the trio of convicts in the movie, I don't know how long my road may be, but the obstacles in my path are not feared. Yea, my heart is growing weary, but my travel continues. I've found a fortune, though it wasn't the physical ones we sought. And along the way I have a great young man along for the ride with me. I look forward to many years of "travels" with James Alvin Whitfield, III. I love you, son.
You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that, my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
Dr. Adrian Pierce Rogers (September 12, 1931 - November 15, 2005) of Love Worth Finding Ministries, Pastor Emeritus of Bellevue Baptist Church.
***WARNING*** This video illustrates a motor vehicle accident where the driver/occupant was ejected from the vehicle at highway speeds. If you are of a weak constitution, you may not wish to view this video. If, however, you need to know why it's a good idea to wear your seat belt, then learn....
I've personally seen the effects of an accident similar this, while working furiously with a paramedic to try and breathe life into the victim. You simply will not survive.
If you saw my iTunes master list, or what's on my iPod at any given time, you'd be tickled at the huge range of genres. From A to Z, literally....Acappella to Zydeco and everything in between.
Today was limited to just two: Blues, and a single syncopated selection. I've lived in the Delta for about 1/3 of my life, and like some blues music, but for whatever reason it just "clicked" and sank in with me today. I can't say I'm experiencing the true depth of blues music, but it resonated today more than it ever has.
But then above those, there was one simple little song with a syncopated 2/4 beat. I love that backbeat type music that you'll hear in Louisiana or in the Caribbean. This little song is summer on the beach with a bonfire at sunset and a bottle of Corona or Red Stripe.
My "art" is in cooking, but I love music. I wish I could play. I've correlated so many emotions with different styles of music, and for whatever reason Blues just struck me. But the off-beat bounce of Island-style music picked my day back up. I don't know why I like that style so much, maybe I'm just a little off-beat too from the rest of the world and it suits my style.
This came from a good friend, and it's just plain worth sharing... (thanks MLB)
jw
Being A Mother
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie.
She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. 'What's wrong, are you well,' she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
'I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded 'just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about our meeting.'
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.
After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mother sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.
'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.
'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice, much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I love you.' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than our family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off until 'some other time.'
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... that somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first....that somebody doesn't have two or more children.
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery....that somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten...or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
Somebody said a Mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....well that somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a Mother's heartstrings.
Somebody said a Mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....that somebody never had grandchildren.
Somebody said your Mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her... that somebody isn't a Mother.
Pass this along to all the 'Mothers' in your life and to everyone who ever had a mother.
This isn't just about being a Mother; it's about appreciating the people in your lives while you have them....no matter who that person is.
'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
My hometown, after a March surprise snow.. It didn't last long, but it sure was pretty while it lasted. You can click the picture to see the full shot if you want.
Jay and I spent a crazy-cold day in the Delta geocaching this weekend. Between an occasional mist and blistering north winds, we found a good number of geocaches in Bolivar, Washington, and Sunflower counties.
The Delta is so full of history and culture, so much that even in my 20 years of living there, I've hardly scratched the surface.
This is the Po' Monkey Lounge, just outside Merigold, MS. Yes, there's a geocache there too, and we found it. Po' Monkey's has been around for 50-odd years, cobbled together out of a sharecropper shack. Willie "Po' Monkey" Seaberry began operating the shack as a lounge back in the 1950's sometime, and he still runs the place. Monkey only opens on Thursday normally, but occasionally by special request or reservation. Some simple rules to visiting Po' Monkey's (acording to one of many signs out front): Thursday Night only (are you book a party or something); dont bring no beer inside, but you can bring your own liquor; no loud music outside; no rap music; no dope smoking.
Wonder how nice our world would be if we just put our rules out front? Hmm....maybe that's another blog.
Swiped this quote from a CPA friend of mine. Thanks JT.
If you deposited a million dollars into a pot every day since the birth of Jesus, you would still not have enough to pay for the proposed stimulus package.
Another banker friend said of the first "stimulus package"...it equated to about $400,000 per American over the age of 18.
I'm sure there'll be waves and "Hell-points" (as my nurse calls them) associated with this posting.....
A pastor entered his donkey in a race, and the donkey won. The pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again, and it won again. The local paper read: "Pastor's Ass Out Front." The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in any more races. The next day the local paper headline read:"Bishop Scratches Pastor's Ass." The Bishop just couldn't believe this. He ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey. The pastor decided to give the donkey to a nun in a nearby convent. The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day: "Nun Has Best Ass In Town." The bishop fainted. He then informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey. She sold it to a farmer for $10.00. The next day the paper read: "Nun Sells Ass For $10.00." The Bishop felt a heart attack was coming for sure, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild. The next day the headlines read: "Nun Announces Her Ass Is Wild And Free!" The Bishop was buried the next day. The moral of the story is: Being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery...even shorten your life. So be yourself and enjoy life. Stop worrying about everyone else's ass, and you'll be a lot happier and live longer!
What say you? Now don't go off trying to figure out "what does he mean in this posting?" I punched up my CD in the Titan today to spin up some good Louis Armstrong jazz, and Casting Crowns was already loaded up, so I just let it run. The words of this song literally jumped out at me....
I love my church family. I do. Please just understand that God's love is so simple, so easy and completely unconditional. If it wasn't so, why would we even have the opportunity of salvation given to us? Why?
You see me without the masquerade...now what?
Psalm 51 1 -3 Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down. 4 -6 You're the One I've violated, and you've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. I've been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. 7 -15 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels our ways so the lost can find their way home. Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise. 16 -17 Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice.
I've got a good friend who suffered a very debilitating stroke a few weeks ago. Quite honestly, I didn't give him a whole lot of "credit" towards recovery. From the first time I got to see him in the hospital, it just plain didn't look good.
Unfortunately, other than an oblique contact now and again, I hadn't been able to check in on him personally until today. All I can say is WOW!
Today when I walked in the room, a quick smile crossed his face (BOTH sides equally!). When I reached to shake his hand, I went toward his left hand, since the stroke and caused a loss of motor function on his right side. He just looked up from his wheelchair, grinned his sly grin, and said "wait"....and ever so slowly got his right hand up under it's own power to shake mine. Amazing.
We visited for a little while, and his high spirit was simply energizing. He told me that in addition to the prescribed therapy he's receiving, he's working hard on his own towards recovery. Just plain cool....
Why this story? Well, something he told me...it's all about attitude. He could have literally given up and been satisfied to sit idly by and be waited on for the rest of his life. He told me that wouldn't be his outcome. He wanted to get better, he wants to be better, and isn't going to let anything like a stroke get in his way.
ATTITUDE people! Half of our problems right now, socially speaking, can be traced to "victimhood"...ohh poor me, it's someone else's fault that I'm in the condition I'm in....yadda yadda yadda.
Get up off your duffs and do something to make YOUR world what YOU want it to be. Just play nice, don't hurt anyone in the process, and love & appreciate people and what you have.
Good luck Doc, and thanks for the life lesson from a wheelchair.....
Ok so they're hard to see on here, but every dot on the map is what we call a "contact"...someone somewhere in the world that is a licensed amateur radio operator - that I have communicated with. All using less energy than a 100w light bulb. It's quite amazing actually, to be able to take electricity from a battery, wall outlet, or generator and convert it into some kind of electro-magnetic phenomena that causes the electrons on some guy's wire antenna hundreds or thousands of miles away to vibrate. If you look close, you can see blue dots in Japan, Russia, all over Europe, two just off the coast of Africa, and a few in South and Central America. Not to mention the dozens and dozens in North America.
Why post this? I have no clue. I was just looking at the map that my logging software generates and decided to show it off. Yippie! (note: you should be able to click on the map to zoom in to full-size.)
But I can do the same with a cell phone or email"...yeah, but that depends on power at the cell site or your ISP's home base, not to mention your own spot on the map. Just ask the people on the coast, or up in Kentucky, or even northwest Mississippi who remember 1994!
1) Go to the fourth folder in your "My Pictures" folder of your computer (or wherever your keep all those pictures you don't want anyone to see)
2) Pick the fourth picture in that folder
3) Post it on your blog, with an explanation of the people/setting/happenings in the picture. If you don't have a blog, email it to me and I'll post it here for you (or not, your choice). Why? Well, why not???
Here's mine:
February 17, 2005 - Greenville, Mississippi. Pictured are the on-duty Assistant Chief and one of the Captains of the Greenville Fire Department, looking over documents and plans for a suspected anthrax investigation we were doing. Off picture are several MS Dept of Health employees (me included), Greenville Police, FBI, Delta Regional Medical Center EMS personnel, and more Greenville FD Hazmat personnel. We had to go downrange in our big funky hazmat gear, collect samples and run a battery of biological field tests, as well as run a sample to our lab for final confirmation. It was nothing to it. But better safe than sorry!
I got this from a friend of mine, in an email discussion about some of my recent blog posts:
One of the smartest priests I've met (who is now the Bishop of Virginia and does low mass at the National Cathedral) explained what sin is. (Realize I had asked why someone could do something that I considered a sin and they were carrying on with no thought of sorrow.) He said that (based on the individual and their relationship with God) sin is what separates the individual from God. It will be different for each person based on their relationship to God. (made sense to me).
Now I've been sitting on that for a few days, letting it roll around in my 3 pounds worth of neurons. I had full intentions of engaging in a new dissertation on the subject, but after several hours of recumbent consideration (that would be thinking while lying down), I've decided to just let the aforementioned citation stand on its own merit for you, the reader, to interpret.
So, let this be an interactive blog post. Share your thoughts! You can click the "comment" link below, or feel free to email me privately.
(Note: It's time to lighten up a little after the recent missives. This is copied, but it does speak to how we all see things a little differently. Laugh, life is too short...jw)
Hermeneutics in Everyday Life (A Stop Sign) Suppose you're travelling to work and you see a stop sign. What do you do? That depends on how you exegete the stop sign.
1. A postmodernist deconstructs the sign (knocks it over with his car), ending forever the tyranny of the north-south traffic over the east-west traffic.
2. Similarly, a Marxist sees a stop sign as an instrument of class conflict. He concludes that the bourgeoisie use the north-south road and obstruct the progress of the workers on the east-west road.
3. A serious and educated Catholic believes that he cannot understand the stop sign apart from its interpretive community and their tradition. Observing that the interpretive community doesn't take it too seriously, he doesn't feel obligated to take it too seriously either.
4. An average Catholic (or Orthodox or Coptic or Anglican or Methodist or Presbyterian or whatever) doesn't bother to read the sign but he'll stop if the car in front of him does.
5. A fundamentalist, taking the text very literally, stops at the stop sign and waits for it to tell him to go.
6. A preacher might look up "STOP" in his lexicons of English and discover that it can mean: a) something which prevents motion, such as a plug for a drain, or a block of wood that prevents a door from closing; b) a location where a train or bus lets off passengers. The main point of his sermon the following Sunday on this text is: when you see a stop sign, it is a place where traffic is naturally clogged, so it is a good place to let off passengers from your car.
7. A scholar from a Jesuit seminary concludes that the passage "STOP" undoubtedly was never uttered by Jesus himself, but belongs entirely to stage III of the gospel tradition, when the church was first confronted by traffic in its parking lot.
8. A New Testament scholar notices that there is no stop sign on Mark street but there is one on Matthew and Luke streets, and concludes that the ones on Luke and Matthew streets are both copied from a sign on a completely hypothetical street called "Q". There is an excellent 300 page discussion of speculations on the origin of these stop signs and the differences between the stop signs on Matthew and Luke street in the scholar's commentary on the passage. There is an unfortunate omission in the commentary, however; the author apparently forgot to explain what the text means.
9. An Old Testament scholar points out that there are a number of stylistic differences between the first and second half of the passage "STOP". For example, "ST" contains no enclosed areas and 5 line endings, whereas "OP" contains two enclosed areas and only one line termination. He concludes that the author for the second part is different from the author for the first part and probably lived hundreds of years later. Later scholars determine that the second half is itself actually written by two separate authors because of similar stylistic differences between the "O" and the "P".
10. Another prominent OT scholar notes in his commentary that the stop sign would fit better into the context three streets back. (Unfortunately, he neglected to explain why in his commentary.) Clearly it was moved to its present location by a later redactor. He thus exegetes the intersection as though the stop sign were not there.
11. Because of the difficulties in interpretation, another OT scholar amends the text, changing "T" to "H". "SHOP" is much easier to understand in context than "STOP" because of the multiplicity of stores in the area. The textual corruption probably occurred because "SHOP" is so similar to "STOP" on the sign several streets back that it is a natural mistake for a scribe to make. Thus the sign should be interpreted to announce the existence of a shopping area.
12. A "Word of Faith" preacher reads the sign and explains that we are redeemed from the curse of the law; therefore we are not bound from such negative laws. He further expounds that to repeat the word printed on the sign is to make a bad confession. Gives advice that it is best to interpret the sign as a "GO". (Does so and is unfortunately hit by the Mac truck of reality coming in the opposite direction.)
On the way to church this morning I was all bent out of shape over a whole list of things. It was quite the foul mood. When I parked my truck and walked across the street, I took a good long deep breath and tried to clear my head so today's worship wouldn't be clouded by my mood.
One song, just one.....broke my mood and gave me an epiphany....
Come unto Me, all who are weary. Come unto Me, all who are weak. Come unto Me, all who are burdened, And I will give you rest.
Come unto Me, all who are thirsty. Come unto Me, all who are faint. Come unto Me, all who are sorrowed, And I will give you rest.
I’ll give you rest for your soul. I’ll give you peace through the storm. I’ll give you joy and make you whole. Come unto Me; I'll give you rest.
There is a hope for the broken. There is a peace for your soul. There is a joy that comes from heaven. It never lets you go.
In the past few weeks I've had talks with people both near and far about how we seem to pile things onto what should be a simple faith. We're humans, we need to see, to hear, and to understand things. It helps us to "see" others meeting some human-inspired conditions, when in fact, it's not necessary.
Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, I shall give you rest (Matt: 11:28)
You may not be able to understand my situation and the circumstances that brought me to this point. You may not understand my current thought processes. It's OK. It really is. But friends, there is no activity within my range of ability that will assuage your consternation. There is only solution for you.
Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, I shall give you rest (Matt: 11:28)
I love and respect each of you that have called on me in the past few months. Please understand that I have no animosity, anger, or hard feelings. However, I am at a point of needing to redefine and renew my life. The burdens I bear are more than enough. I cannot further intensify those by trying to appease so many opinions of "what should happen" or "what you need to do". Your words and thoughts are appreciated. I internalize each one, and weigh them all together. But at the end of the day, I cannot even support the original burdens.
As I sat and listened to that song today, the words just soaked in like a warm spring day. Between the notes of the pianist, I could hear that still small voice saying "give me your burdens, let others give me theirs too. They're not for you to take on. Their lack of understanding is their burden, not yours."
We're called to ALL bring our burdens to Him. Not to each other. He can give us rest. Rest and hope cannot be found in each other. No matter if we've been wronged, or wronged others, He and He alone can give ALL of us rest. No matter what our perspective is, no matter what our perceptions are, no matter how we feel about who's right or wrong in a situation, HE is the source of rest for EVERYONE involved.
I'm forgiven. My faith is simple. But my faith has been unmoved, unaltered. I'm loved, and forgiven through grace. It's that simple. That easy.
Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, I shall give you rest (Matt: 11:28)
No word yet on going to Kentucky. We're sending another type of team up there on Sunday, Feb 1, 2009. Nothing new on whether any of my immediate co-workers are going anytime soon.
Jay and I made a run to Jackson today, to attend the Capitol City Hamfest. Basically it's just a big flea market for amateur radio stuff. I got a new toy, but need a day or two outside in good weather to play with it.
While in town we went on a geocaching run. My online geocaching photo album was updated with our adventures today. Feel free to click the link and visit.
And not promoting anything in particular, but if you're not part of Facebook online, do it. In the past few weeks I've found a ton of old friends and distant co-workers. Its fun keeping up with them now.
We're on standby for the Commonwealth of Kentucky for environmental health and special medical needs shelter teams. Could be a two-week trip to the Bluegrass State after they went into deep-freeze in the past few days.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6 You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying. 17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today. 18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood, but the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24 The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?" 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive everyone, everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 36 Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable. 38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 45. The best is yet to come. 46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 48. If you don't ask, you don't get. 49. Yield.. 50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift
My job is essentially to prepare for, and respond to terrorism events, or suspected terrorism events, and any other event that has the potential to affect public health. Because of the terrorism aspect, we're frequently given opportunities to study both domestic and international terrorist history.
I spent the majority of the day enjoying the lecture of a Los Angeles Police sergeant, who is also a former Jordanian. The LAPD is gracious to allow him to work closely with the various United States Attorney's offices to deliver lectures on Islam and the wider Arabic world, and we were privileged to have him in north Mississippi today.
If you've never given yourself to take an honest look at Islam, let me encourage you to do so. By no means am I promoting their system of belief or faith, but the history of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism aren't all that far apart.
As I sat through the lecture though, contemplating both the similarities and differences in our faiths, I recalled a conversation I had with a gentlemen last week. One thing we talked about was, as Christians, do we try to put "too much" human influence into what is, at its most basic, a very simple faith.
Over the weekend I found a small pocket-size Bible at a Jackson bookstore. I'd been looking for one for a while that would fit several parameters - physical size, translation, text size, cover durability, etc - because it would be the Bible that would get thrown around in my bags while traveling. When I got to the truck and thumbed through it, it opened first to the following passage:
Accept those whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters. One person's faith allows them to eat everything, but another person, whose faith is weak, can only eat vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted that person. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master they must stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Romans 14:1-4 TNIV
Where am I going with this? I'm not totally sure, but it may be that I'm questioning how much of our religious activity has been developed by us - imperfect humans - as a means of self-satisfaction. But Romans plainly tells us to not hold our brothers and sisters in self-serving contempt for their weak or strong faith. We should accept others, and encourage them. But we cannot make anyone grow or change, that is solely of themselves.
My faith is as basic as it was one Monday afternoon when I was in the third grade (I think). We had RA's on Monday after school, and that one day Bro. George saw something missing in me, and led me to that redemption and salvation. In the years since then, the basics have remained...I'm a sinner, always have been and always will be. But God loves me just the same, and since that very day..."Their sins and lawless acts, I will remember them no more" (Jer 31:34) Is it correct to say my future sins are forgiven? No, they're not, and I'm called to live to a higher standard. But God's grace is sufficient and faithful in my falls.
This has been a bit rambling, but you'd have to fully understand my last week. Then add on the lecture I sat in today and it left me asking a lot of introspective questions. The last tidbit of the day was a sign in front of a country church on the way home "God will take your mess and make it a message." I loved it!
Casting aside all political emotions and feelings....
Two men stand across from each other, with only a podium, a proud wife, and a Bible between them. Their right hands raised, with one's left placed on that Bible.
In less than 30 seconds, the recitation of 39 words offered by the Chief Justice of the United States** changes the course of American history. The man opposite of the robed Justice is quietly transformed from an "ordinary" citizen to the most powerful person on Earth.
"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, (so help me God.)"
The phrase "so help me God" is not included in Article II, Section I of our Constitution. George Washington added it when taking the oath for his first term, and all presidents since have repeated it.
Today a relatively young Chief Justice offered that phrase as a question, "so help you God?", to which an equally young man affirmed "so help me God."
Then three more words, and a handshake from the Justice, "Congratulations, Mister President."
Wow. Just wow.
And even more wow is that only 44 men in all of history have done that, and every single one did so under peaceful circumstances.
No matter who bears the title "Mister President", the events surrounding the granting of that appellation give us pause to consider that our transition is practically rare in this world.
39 words is all it takes.....
**Note: there is no requirement that the Chief Justice of the United States administer the oath. In fact, anyone authorized and capable of administering an oath may do so for the President. U.S. District Court judges have administered the oath. The politically/legally least significant person to ever administer the oath was a Notary Public, John C. Coolidge, to his son, Calvin Coolidge at the senior Mr. Coolidge's home in Vermont upon receiving news of Warren G. Harding's death.**
Jay and I did another geocaching expedition today. We had plans for Leland, Greenville, up Highway 1 in Bolivar County, and Cleveland. Those got cut short though, due to a family illness that required my attention in Winona. Everyone is doing ok right now, just got one member in the hospital overnight for tests.
If you ever get up around Greenville, take a little time and drive a few miles north of town on Highway 1 to the Winterville Mounds State Park. It's a small park, with free admission, but a rich story to tell. The lady that was manning the park museum today was delightful, and full of information. The most interesting thing I found about the park is the mounds haven't been attributed to any single tribe yet. Most of the area is Choctaw country, but they haven't determined "who" the mounds were built by. They have multi-tribe events there from time to time, and they're worth making plans to attend.
Here's our geocaching photo album. The photos have the dates listed, but feel free to take a look at them all. You can also leave comments if you like!
No clue....just hadn't posted in a few days. Man I'd hate for anyone to suffer DT's.
I've been involved in an all-out assault against some variety of microorganism that has taken up temporary residence in my sinuses and nasal passages. Pesky little buggers! Sudafed and bendaryl to the rescue though. Yeah they don't really "treat" the problem, just the symptoms. But I think I've gotten by pretty good. Just hope they don't come back in a bad mood!!! We'll have to go to full biological warfare then.
I started walking again, and throw a little running in also. It's feeling really good, and a nice way to unwind after work. I missed today's though....too danged cold, plain and simple.
Later folks.....going to bed. Keep the comments coming, I like them.
N.C. Officer and EMTs Go Extra Mile for Local Citizen
Donna Swicegood Statesville Record & Landmark, N.C.
Jan. 4--Legally blind and a brittle diabetic, Jo Gallo relies on a low-vision machine to help her see and to regulate her blood sugar and insulin doses.
On the afternoon of Dec. 19, Gallo, who will soon be 80, realized the light was blinking on her low vision machine, an indication that something was wrong.
She picked up the phone to call her service provider, and instead found all four of her phones dead.
Gallo said she was worried. "There was no way I could get out and get help," she said.
So she waited for the postal carrier to come, and when she heard the mail come through the slot, she called out to the carrier.
"I told her my phone was dead," Gallo said.
The carrier placed a call to the Statesville Police Department using a cell phone.
A few minutes later, Officer James Robinson arrived.
Robinson did more than just listen to Gallo's problem. He took action.
Robinson went to the phone box on the outside of the house, and checked the wires.
Iredell EMS was called to check Gallo's blood sugar and to help her with her insulin doses.
While paramedic Angela Hobbs checked Gallo's medical condition, the other paramedic, Ian McCarthy, along with Robinson, went back to work on the phone lines, and got one phone working.
Robinson, Gallo said, also called the service provider for her low-vision machine and learned a repair person couldn't come out until after Christmas, some six days away.
At that point, said Statesville Police Department Chief Tom Anderson, Robinson did some research and discovered it needed a new bulb and he could get one at Lowe's.
Robinson drove to Lowe's, got the light bulb and went back to fix the machine.
For Gallo, that meant she could check her own blood sugar, read on a limited basis and feel secure about her health.
Robinson also placed a call to Gallo's phone provider, and explained she needed assistance right away. A repairman came out the next day, she said.
Gallo said she was thrilled with the actions of Robinson, Hobbs and McCarthy.
"They were just extremely nice," she said. "The three of them worked together to help me out."
Anderson said the police department chose to honor Robinson with a meritorious service award for his actions to help Gallo.
"He went above and beyond the call of duty, and provided a valuable service to one of our citizens," Anderson said.
Gallo said this isn't the first time emergency service providers came to her assistance.
Once, she said, she heard the smoke detectors beeping and, through her cloudy vision, thought there was smoke in the house.
The Statesville Fire Department came out and discovered the smoke detector batteries were the problem and there was no smoke in the house.
"They replaced the batteries and told me to call any time I needed them," she said.
Gallo said she's glad to live in a community with people such as Robinson, Hobbs and McCarthy to answer calls for help.
I mentioned earlier some of you have left comments to my postings. In one of my very first blog posts I said I'm the only one that can see the comments. Well that's not the case any longer, they're all wide open for the world. But PLEASE don't let that cause you to refrain from commenting. You can always leave them anonymously. Or own up to them and sign your name!
Grabbed this on the way home from Jackson the other day. I was moving down the road when I took the pic, so it's not quite as pretty as it could have been. But nice enough to share. I love the hills where I grew up, but the Delta does out-do the Hills when it comes to sunsets!
Several of you have either commented on here, or emailed me directly to let me know your appreciation of my blog. Thank you. I don't see my writing as all that impressive; your kind words are appreciated.
I've never been one to write in a "journalistic" style like this, but I'm finding it cathartic. I also like the interaction this medium gives - regardless of whether you reply back to any of my posts, I'm aware that there are readers. My first real foray into this style of writing was after Hurricane Katrina, when I started an ongoing email diary for a limited set of friends and family members. Of course the times then were very difficult and trying; the emails provided me an outlet and an opportunity to reflect on the many, many stimuli we were exposed to in those months. I kept those emails, and from time to time will go back to them, just to remind me of where I've been.
Knowing where one has been also allows one to see where they're going. You're aware I'm going through a profound change in the course of my life, and being able to look back gives me a new perspective on what I want to see in my future. While I can't necessarily make a formal list of those things, you may be able to pick up on some in these writings.
So to you who read this on any regular basis - my thanks, again. As I've said before, I enjoy your interaction, so feel free to provide comments.
Now on to more important things......
Jay and I made a quick run to Jackson to he could pick up some things from BassPro. He's been terrorizing the pets with his new game camera. He tested it on the house cat last night, and I think he's planning to spy on the dog overnight. Deer are probably soon to make his list. I've asked for copies of his pictures when he sees something interesting, and I'm sure I'll post them on here.
Along the way we logged a few geocaches, but rain kept us from getting all we had on our list. One place we found quite interesting was Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City. If you've never been there, stop by sometime. The cemetery is very large, with distinct sections. The legendary Yazoo Witch's grave is there, as is writer Willie Morris. And although we weren't aware of it, there is a mass Confederate grave site somewhere on the property, and descendants of Declaration of Independence signer John Hancock are buried there. The witch story has gone around the Delta for a long time, and Morris even included her as a character in his book Good Ole Boy: A Delta Boyhood. The legend says in 1884 a young boy, Joe Bob Duggett, was passing the witch's house when he heard an unholy groaning coming from the house. He peeked in the window to see the bodies of two men, and the witch dancing over them. Upon telling the sheriff what he'd seen, they broke into the house finding the bodies but not the witch. They heard her outside and chased her into nearby swamps. They found her trapped in quicksand, sinking. As she sunk into the quicksand, she exclaimed to the sheriff and the boy that she would break from her grave on May 25, 1904 and burn the city down. Authorities later retrieved her body. When she was buried the sheriff ordered chains be placed over and around her grave, stating that "If she can break through that and burn down Yazoo, she deserves to burn it down."
Guess what happened on May 25, 1904? Miss Pauline Wise discovered a small fire in her parlor. A sudden wind caused the fire to grow and spread to neighboring houses, and later businesses. Firefighters from Greenwood and Jackson were called to aid the city, but the conflagration destroyed many homes and businesses. The next day, elders of the town went to the cemetery to find the chains of the grave broken, just as the witch had promised.
Jay and I are making a road trip, a common event lately. We've taken up geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com/) as a little sideline hobby. Its really a lot of fun, we see new places and things we probably wouldn't have otherwise gotten off the beaten path to see. If you've got kids and a GPS, take a look at the hobby.
The target area for this weekend is between Indianola and Jackson. We're ultimately headed to BassPro in Pearl, but figured we'd make a few stops along the way and log some caches.
In the past few weeks we've seen a few new things like zebras and alpacas - who knew they were in the Delta?
Here's a map/photo album of our recent outings. You can zoom in on the map and click a photo to view, or click the link below to go to the map's home page.
Take a visit and have a look around. If you'd like to go out "cachin" with us, let me know. We'd be glad to show you around.
If you're a reader in the Jackson area, give us a call Saturday - we'll be around Pearl at BassPro and looking for a few caches in town. We'd be glad to see you for lunch or something.
I'm sitting here listening to radio station VP2VQ, a guy named George down in the British Virgin Islands on Tortola. I love the dialect, bouncy and cheerful. He's wishing so many people a happy new year and extending greetings and blessings from the tropics. He's on the radio all the time and is always the happiest guy. I'm going to try and attach a recording of some of his conversations today. You'll probably enjoy his little commentary.
I've put a few new gadgets on my blog page for you. If you'll look over in the column to the right, you'll discover that you can opt to receive blog updates via email or by RSS feed. It sure makes life easier to get stuff "pushed" to you, instead of having to go hunt for it on a regular basis. So sign up!
Also, right under each blog post you'll find an opportunity to provide comments, and even "vote" on how you like the post. I love feedback, so give me some!
I've got to learn how to get into a better routine of posting. Give me a little time and I will get the ball rolling.
I hope you have a great new year. I started mine off with two beautiful blondes. Pictures below.
Here's something a great frend of mine sent me today. I've highlighted the ones that are particularly appropriate for this time.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN 2009 & A HAPPY NEW YEAR
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant..
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________ .'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a max'd out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for every thing.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.
God bless you today and throughout 2009! Happy New Year!
Did yall see something really late this afternoon? I wasn't too sure but I could have sworn that was the sun slipping down in the western horizon....Don't know for sure, but I guess we'll find out in the morning.
When I went to work this morning, it was cold and gray. At lunch, it was cold and gray. On the way home - yep you guessed it, cold and gray. I even drive a gray truck, now how bad does that suck?
I don't like this time of year, all cold and wet. I want sunshine! Ideally I'd like a little sunshine while sitting on a wide porch in a rocking chair, sipping some of that good amber stuff they make in Kentucky and seal with red wax. Now that's a good afternoon.
I used to eschew anything that seemed like day-in, day-out routines. But lately I've given in to exactly that. I get home between 5 and 5:30, catch up on news and emails, watch a couple episodes of NCIS then House MD, have a simple supper, then entertain before the computer for a little while before bed around 10 or 11. It's a highly predictable daily ritual, but its become very comfortable.
Saying that, its time to dive into the freezer and see what's available. Choices are Swedish, Italian, and American cuisines. Wonder what it'll be?
Hey everyone, sorry it's been a few days since I posted. It's not because I've been terribly busy or anything like that, I just haven't gotten used to doing this on a regular basis. I bought a bound journal that I'm keeping with me to take notes through the day of little things that happen or random thoughts. I'm hoping that will give me fodder in the evenings for this digital journal.
It's trying to do something outside, somewhere between rain and freezing rain. It's just too dang cold to go outside and find out. I'll know in the morning if I have to thaw the truck out or not. I really don't like winter weather in the South. It's cold and wet, all at the same time. For good snow, put me out West somewhere, Colorado preferably.
The holidays are rapidly approaching, but I'm nowhere near "feeling" the season. I'm in a bit of a funk tonight, and not really sure why. These slip up on me for no apparent reason, and I just kind of have to muddle through them as best I can. I suspect the gray and dreary day today has contributed to the mood. Thank goodness I've got a very close friend who's always just a text or phone call away. She's been through a whole lot in a relationship lately that has ended in just the past couple of days, so we're able to prop each other up from time to time.
Looking to the holidays, the thoughts of spending some time with Jay are good. He's maturing a lot right now, and it's fun to talk to him every day. He's gotten to where he'll call when he gets home from school, when nobody is at home but him. My sister and her family are temporarily displaced from their home, and likely will be through the Christmas holidays. They had some storm damage last week from a tornado, which resulted in a lot of rainwater getting in their house, mostly between the walls. That's a nasty clean-up job.
Guess I'll close this one out...I really had to work to get these few sentences out of my head tonight. It'll get better in time.
Monsoon season in Mississippi, ahh tropical moisture and arctic temperatures clash over the Deep South, then PRESTO! Weather! If you live down here, you know what I mean. But it touched close tonight, as my sister had some damage at her place down in southwest Holmes County. They're fine.
My disposition has significantly improved lately (if you've read all the blogs you'll have a little hint of what I'm talking about). In the past few days several people have commented on how I seem 'better' than I had in the past few weeks. That's a nice feeling.
I've got the privilege of sharing lunch three days this week with some good friends. One yesterday, one today, and another tomorrow.
I'm thinking about breaking out this weekend and going to hide somewhere. No clue where or for how long, but I need a change of scenery. Anyone want some company?
I'm finding a whole pile of classmates and school friends that I haven't had a chance to talk to in ages. Between www.facebook.com and www.myspace.com I've found several old friends in the past few days. Its been quit fun catching up with them.
Today...
I spent the day at the Mississippi Air National Guard base in Jackson, MS at a terrorism meeting with the FBI and USDOJ along with a pile of other agencies. Won't say much about it, but it was good to visit with my professional friends, even a few who I've been "downrange" with before.
I also got to have lunch with a very good friend today. It's always great to get to visit people you don't get to see very often.
It'll be a fun week, a couple of lunch appointments for Tuesday and Wednesday, and a good bit of time out of the office. I'll take that any day!
Well I'm going to dive in with both feet into the world of blogging. I've had this one for a little while, but kept it limited to a tiny handful of viewers. Its wide open for the whole world now. I found a few friends who blog on a regular basis (some of them I'd NEVER expect to be in the blog world!). So here I am in all the glorly I can muster.
I'll probably update this thing more often than I have in the past. Right now I'm in Jackson for the night, for an 8am meeting at the Air Guard Base on the airport. Whoever schedules 8am meetings with Jackson traffic is either crazy or sadistic.
