tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203498382024-02-08T12:05:41.488-06:00Rip-Roar Get High On LifeI believe life is to be lived, not worked, enjoyed, not agonized, loved, not hated.Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-80113127068158564922022-04-26T23:31:00.001-05:002022-04-26T23:31:45.589-05:00Marjorie Taylor Greene HUMILIATES AOC To Her Face In Congress<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bUeEqU6yHk4/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/bUeEqU6yHk4" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-58271275037047831522022-04-16T00:06:00.000-05:002022-04-16T00:06:04.334-05:00Part 3/4 Linking Forms Together<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/9M8L0cDrYSQ" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-78395093201860394082022-04-13T09:55:00.001-05:002022-04-13T09:55:40.591-05:00Part 2/4 Form Navigation - Data Input Controls<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/4laRQKKjwAA" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-33001217302841411542022-04-12T11:04:00.002-05:002022-04-12T11:04:49.621-05:00Multiple Table Form - Issues and Solutions<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/8on8AdkhJPI" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-62529041856831139702022-04-01T17:14:00.001-05:002022-04-01T17:14:10.024-05:00Tabbing Through Subforms - Keeping Same Record<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/PP9ct8gWWic" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-74259493911186132592022-04-01T13:31:00.001-05:002022-04-01T13:31:33.054-05:00Access Custom Auto number<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/B2QiVJc1WEU" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-49737708353262771692022-03-28T14:26:00.001-05:002022-03-28T14:26:24.705-05:00Shipping Crisis Aggravates As Chinese Port Shutdowns Trigger Shortages &...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/4pwI3mJ6JD0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-86473655284376848952022-03-27T14:26:00.000-05:002022-03-27T14:26:53.540-05:00Putting the Pieces Together<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/53P5rNUkmRo" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-82956692508146694542022-03-16T15:41:00.001-05:002022-03-27T14:27:14.376-05:00Navigate Excel by Name<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Mg4xLGbHZZo" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-87552281233439002292022-03-14T22:14:00.000-05:002022-03-27T14:27:28.622-05:00Access DB - The Nex Step<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/0_RZin822lg" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-91922672211406105832022-03-12T01:37:00.001-06:002022-03-27T14:27:39.735-05:00Customer Auto Number in Access Database<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/mL67SfOwxaU" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-23384032963903730802022-03-09T11:30:00.001-06:002022-03-09T12:42:03.754-06:00Access - Custom Auto Numbers<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/qLCuFkKYb1o" frameborder="0"></iframe>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-19674302150361547652010-08-13T20:06:00.001-05:002010-08-13T20:09:14.561-05:00The Hill is Flat<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">In life, I learned from cycling, to approach the hill In the gear and at the rate I intend to go over the hill. I found I can always develop momentum and gear up; but the strain on my legs, body and mind to gear down because the strength is not there or the pain is too much does not go away, it stays painful and tiresome the entire climb.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I have found it odd when I have been riding my road bike on a street which looks like it is going down hill; yet when I stop peddling, I slow down as I am going up hill, what is this optical illusion; terrible for optimism.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I have also found myself riding my road bike on streets which look up hill; yet my rate and pace steadily increase as if I were going down hill, love those lucky breaks.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> I found all hills appear flat when I simply focus on the few feet of pavement directly in front of me, then going over the hill takes care of itself.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I have also learned I can talk myself into pushing the pedal just once more, a lot of times in a row!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I have learned and need to keep learning how to apply what I've learned from cycling into my everyday life. <br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How we pick our lives; the pace and what we do to me is no different than those of athletes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each athlete seems to find a sport, and event which fits there body, there personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they train, they train in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>way which maximizes there potential. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is this obeservation of value; well to me picking what we do for our lives is just as important as an athlete picking the right sport and event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But it seems like many, many of us don't take this into consideration when we start our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is reflected in the incredible increase in people stressing, needing drugs to sustain a pace, to calms themselves down, to wake themselves up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in all of this; it seems that there are some who are naturally able to constantly work at a high rate; yet there are many of us who are not designed to work at this incredibly high expected rate of work.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Think about it this way, if a sprinter spent his career trying to be a long distant runner, would they be as successful and would you guess it would be an incredible strain on them physically and mentally?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same as a long distance runner trying to run the 100 M, how would it effect them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if they could not be successful, would we call them failures?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">My point is, I believe we each have a unique rhythm, a rhythm which brings harmony to our lives; but so many of us are trying to run our lives at someone else's rhythm and pace, one our body and mind cannot sustain, thus the gradual break down of our physical and mental soundness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Have you found your rhythm?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Are you stuck in a dance you cannot get out of, does your health and mental soundness have to digress before you change?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Are we teaching or telling your children, how important it is to find a life style which fits there personal rhythm?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-62194113019292822842010-06-30T15:43:00.000-05:002010-06-30T15:43:44.987-05:00This morning ...<ol style="direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .2729in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;"><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">These thoughts and questions presented themselves, I wrote them down.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">It's about 9:00 AM and I am so lucky to have this moment to sit here at Shady Grove Park located at Eagle Mountain Lake in Azle, TX.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I sit here,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote.</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">How did we get to where we are in our own society, in the world?</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Where is the line between cheating and progress?</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">It's interesting - everything seems to have a life cycle, yet man seems to relentlessly trying to eliminate them from their own.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Does progress mean better, better in the long run?</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Man seems to only be willing to act on what they can directly see, the eminent; those that can see further are often called 'nut' , 'lunatics', 'freaks'.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">What is the key that causes a tornado or a hurricane to suddenly change directions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it God's will?</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The same is for the weather, it does not seem as though the weatherman are correct very often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it because they are trying to predict God's will?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like so many are trying to predict the second coming of Christ?</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Love leads to the path of good behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rules are followed because they are following love.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Holly Spirit is the center of my being.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">My flesh, muscle and bone can be taken from me, but my spirit is like the air, it simply is.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Why do we spend so much money and time on learning about our planet; do we think if we "know it all" we can then control our destiny?</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">I am amazed in the beauty our world has to offer, I wonder why so few of us see so little of it?</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The house will fall down, it is unsafe I argue, but no one is listening; they simply cannot see the cracks in the foundation.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">I can only change if I give God time to change me.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The US seems to have gone from independent to dependant; our strength comes through not what we can provide, but through what we consume.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Can the world really work as one, I think the US is a great example of a possibility.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Ready set go said God:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>see if you can discover the mysteries of the world before you destroy yourself in doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The joke Is on us.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Separating church and state a brilliant strategy by Satan.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">If Church and State are truly disconnected; why do churches get tax breaks and other benefits from the Government?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought Jesus said give to Caesar what is Caesars' and to God what is God's,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Churches should pay there own way. </span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">If you are swimming and you cannot find the purpose of swimming, then why are we still swimming.</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The mistakes our leaders and corporations make seem to be along the same level as a child, where were there parents?</span></li>
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</div><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Don't try and change the world, ask God to change you and then show others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Force resists force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a physics professor!</span></li>
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</div></ol>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-33624609973962571602010-05-16T15:58:00.004-05:002018-06-05T23:05:21.471-05:00First Year Anniversary<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; margin: 0in;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">May 10th of last year, Mother's day I was baptized. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Getting baptized to me was just like getting married. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I felt the commitment, the love, the passion, but how would my life, my relationship with Jesus Christ will change?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">As I got up May 10th 2009 partially to my alarm and partially to my fear of being discovered, I felt an excitement, a peace, a relationship I thought I would never have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I knew I had to be up and out of my storage shed, where I had been staying for the last couple months before people started entering and the manager showed up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Like most mornings while sleeping in this shed, which I had made into a makeshift apartment, I went over to my bucket of water I renewed last night and take a relatively fresh towel and douse it and then proceed to 'sponge bath' myself. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I do not know why, but the face is the most important part, if my face feels clean, the rest of me feel even that much cleaner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The choice of clothes narrowed since doing laundry is not a luxury; my last batch was hand washed in my bucket using leftover shampoo I happened to have. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>From time to time, I did receive some money, either a loan from my friend or because I sold some of my belongings. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>With some money I had, I bought a spray which contained bleach. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>This spray, as with bleach changed the color of the clothes, thus I only used it on the inside of the clothes. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>This spray was a great saver, it killed of course germs, like under the arm type stuff but also made the clothes smell fresh out of the laundry, and at least I thought and hoped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I dressed in my best jeans, cleanest T-shirt and today even shouldered a button down shirt, for I was going to be baptized. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I Finish up by wetting my hair and brushing it straight back. Found the shoe string I extracted from my tennis shoe the night before and tied it around my right angle, over the pants so my jeans would not get caught in the spokes of my bicycle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I also had to pack my bag carefully and make sure I did not miss anything. Returning to the storage shed during the day was not a smart maneuver. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>It exposed how the storage shed was set up and indicated it has more than just objects in it. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I had to make sure I carried even a change of clothes in my bag, computer, books, power cords, food, or anything else I might need for the next 18 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I looped the shoulder bag over around my back so it sat just about the middle, I mounted my faithful Mountain Bike and glided over the push password box and entered my code. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Slowly the gate would slide open and I would peddle my bike through and then make a sharp right to get to my first destination, Starbucks, without much notice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">To get out with as little notice as possible, I was usually heading to Starbucks around 6:30 AM and today, my baptism does not start until 9:00 AM, so I have a little time to myself. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Today, as most days, I start by reading the Bible, writing in my journal and responding to potential job offers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Around 8:30 AM, I mount my bike again, which I hid around the corner by the trash bin at Starbucks, and throw my bag over my shoulder, but this time it does not sit right on my back, it hits the bike seat and causes it so swing right or left when I stand to mount the seat. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>This causes two challenges, firstly I am off balance and two it gets in the way of riding. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>With effort, I try to swing it back to where it should be without causing me to swerve into something stationary or cause the swaying of the bag to throw my balance off enough to where I have to start over getting going again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The ride to the church is uneventful. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>As usual, I am the only bike on the road, an odd feeling in a town with sidewalks, young people and great weather one might think they would be filled with them. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I have my routine down. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I cross the street back towards Starbucks then ride behind the RaceTrack gas station, then dart back across the street in a free break in traffic and charge up the sidewalk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Down to the Town Square, where the multitude of shops, restaurants and the movie theater are, then back across the street. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I will stay on this side of the street for the remaining part of the ride. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The sidewalks are partial here; I know I have to cross four thresholds of grass before I will arrive at the church driveway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Some mornings everything goes very well across these tracks, but it depends on the path, speed and how much they water the night before to whether it is a clean crossing. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Today, even though my day to be baptized, one patch of grass has been watered and a bit sloppy lake like, so I get a spraying of water and mud all over me, but it's not to think and appears to have the ability to dry without a mark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The parking lot of the church is full, there are a total of 5 services available, thus the parking lot is continually full until after the last service and people are always around. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I am somewhat self-conscious riding my bike to church, thus come to the exit and enter from the sidecars don't usually drive through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I found a great spot for my bike, to hide it from being noticed, thus limited embarrassment and for protection from being possibly stolen. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>In front of the church, there is about a 5' white brick wall, it hides the AC units for this section of the church. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>There is enough room between the wall and the A/C units to put my bike, so I gently slide it between the two. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I grab my bible from one of the compartments of my bag and place it gently next to the front wheel of my bike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I head over to the sanctuary I am to be baptized. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>In my pass over, I stop in the main lobby and grab a donut and a quick cup of coffee and then I run into Ed. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Ed is a member of the church and is part of a group called "Stephen's Ministry" and he has been there to counsel and listen to me and to help guide me for the last several months. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>As I shake hands with him and embrace in a hug, he asks me, "Did you ride your bike?" <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I smiled and said of course!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">That was about a year ago. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Today, I went to church. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I work up to the same alarm I did a year ago, but I did not have to get up and leave because of the lurking possibility of being discovered, in fact, I ignored the alarm and continued to sleep a bit longer. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>My bed is soft and my blanket and comforter soft and clean. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I have a selection of clean clothes to choose from, but wonderfully more is I get up and get into a warm shower and shave with ease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I walk down the few stairs from my loft of a bedroom; admire the artwork of my younger children abound on the walls and the floor. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I open my front door of my warm, carpeted apartment and get into my 1995 excellent running and reasonably kept Lincoln Continental and drove to Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Today I still wonder how my life has been changed by my renewed relationship with Christ. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Even though a tremendous amount has changed, I still <span class="apple-converted-space">this</span> question, I ask this question because I do not feel as though I can have a close enough relationship with Jesus Christ and never feel like I want to be content with the relationship I have. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Each day, I want to try harder to server Jesus Christ even more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Even though, with all my honesty I could tell you I feel as close to Jesus Christ today as I did last year the day I was baptized, my life, my outlook, my faith, and love have all changed for the better. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Is my life easier, no it has not if anything it has gotten harder? Harder because I have greater wisdom, faith, and love I did not have before. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>So why is my life harder, it is because I struggle with my own vision of my limitations and the ones God has for me. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>And constantly, when I feel I am out of capacity, I continue to have more. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>And having more love, faith, forgiveness, argues against my personal self-logic of why I should extend myself anymore. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>But I realize, I am not extending anything, it's is God's will and if God can do it and ask me to do it, then I can do it, but it does not always make it easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I guess it's no different than a coach believing the student can do more than the student believes themselves they can do as well as the teacher knowing the why the student needs to learn the lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I look forward to my next year. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I know I still have so many obstacles to overcome, I know I will feel like I did this last year, that I was making no progress, my relationship with God and Jesus Christ needs even more work, but in the end I can say I learned even more lessons and been able to extend my love, grace, faith, and forgiveness even more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">With All My Prayers and Blessings,</span></div>
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Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-70288288467800570512010-05-14T10:24:00.001-05:002022-03-09T12:35:49.428-06:00The Battle to Death<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> The second scenario was when two people were battling it out face to face, the future of their lives rode on who won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my enemy wins, then of course they take whatever I possess, if I win, I simply get to live my life in peace and harmony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But instead of it being a fight to the finish and the stronger wins, my nemesis falls and puts himself into a vulnerable position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I must do is not do anything and my enemy falls to his death, I win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, I have a few challenges with this action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, I would not have won nobly, meaning I really did not beat my opponent, to me knowing I won because I was the 'better' more 'talented' is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I am sure, a person who ends up winning the Gold on a technicality does not feel as noble as winning it straight out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, this would give me the same feeling as not trying to save the person from the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the third part is different, this situation has contemplation built in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My enemy is not going to drop to his demise right now; in a few moments, in a little while, but I have time to think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was fair and this was his fate, accept it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have the chance to consider this person as a child of God as I am a child of God, if my Father, Jesus Christ, was standing right there, would he say, "let your brother drop, for he is evil and deserves it."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, would he say, "Save your brother for he is my child as you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"But Father, if I try and save my brother, I could easily slip and fall to my own death or my brother, who is evil, might use this as a way of saving himself and bringing my own demise."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">My decision is to try and save my enemy, God's son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why even though it may cause me my own life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thought comes to mind Jesus Christ said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mt 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. "</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Because I am ok with my relationship with God, and because I trust in God, Love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind, I don't have a problem putting my life in jeopardy to save my brother, what my brother does depends on his relationship with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he decides to take advantage of me and save himself and throw me to my death, I am ok, because I have already made my peace with God, Jesus Christ is my savior, and my enemy will have to deal with God directly for his actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my enemy decides to return the grace I have offered, that is not in my hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, my decision would reach out my hand and allow the other person the action they want to take, but by me not reaching out my hand, I have then decided the fate of my enemy for him, this is not what I believe is within my realm of being a servant to Jesus Christ.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-41659126289984032722010-05-14T10:22:00.002-05:002010-05-14T10:22:49.740-05:00The Bus of my dreams<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I promised to answer respond to the dilemmas I posted a week ago or so ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first dilemma was the event of an oncoming bus was about to hit and kill an emotional enemy of mine or yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I respond or how do I respond.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">In the bus scenario, my relationship with the person would not matter, it would be automatic for me to do my best to elude the fate of the person in peril.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would react without thinking, but with hope and prayer I could cause this person not to have their fate ended by this bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My concious would be the greater evil, my faith, belief and love of God would drive me to WANT to save this person, I don't believe the danger I would be putting myself into would come into mind, I would only be thinking about how I would feel if I did not do what I believed is the right thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So thinking would not occur; only my true inner nature.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">If I saved this person, my reward would only be for doing the right thing and I would walk away feeling exactly that, I did what I had to do, which was the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No difference than stopping to help someone along side the rode.</div>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-87141117195620885032010-05-04T13:07:00.002-05:002010-05-04T13:07:45.771-05:00Ethics, Morality, Love, Faith?<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; margin: 0in;">I was walking down the street and struck with this dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming across the street was someone who is causing my life pure misery, hell to be blunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sigh, man just cannot get away from this person, it seems like they haunt me everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sight of the person causes my heart rate to rise, a sizzle of intensity, just a plain dislike for this person to be named or be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I ponder these feelings and wish I had them not, I see a bus coming down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I gaze and follow it's path, I realize it is going to hit this person who emotionally I wish did not have to be in my presence, ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; margin: 0in;">I quickly calculate the speed of the bus, the guess of the burst of my speed, voice and capability, can I move this person who I despise out of the way of the bus and yet not put myself in jeopardy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn't that just be great, I end up in the hospital while they still are running around<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>free and causing harm to others and maybe<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even laughing at my misfortune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I do, what would you do?</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; margin: 0in;">It's another day, another battle with a sworn enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fight is very intense, challenging and maybe evenly matched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My opponent struggles with me and in his release looses his balance and puts himself in a precarious position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A position which seems to say "I won the fight"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I did not win, it was an accident from the result of another action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not pin him, force him to say uncle, regardless though, his mistake is my opportunity, isn't it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I evaluate my opponents position, I realize death is evident for him, he will slip from his precarious position, I want to walk away, knowing this person and their grief will never effect me again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, I know if I reach out to help him, pull him to safety I will then put myself in a precarious position and be vulnerable to my enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meaning, my enemy could save himself while at the same time causing me to fall to my demise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I do, what do you think you would do.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; margin: 0in;">I will post my thoughts to these questions soon.</div>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-21953437210798478862010-04-24T13:47:00.000-05:002010-04-24T13:47:32.567-05:00Ever Feel This Way?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<center><span class="txt_1" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none;"><div class="KonaBody"><div id="div_customCSS"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Sunshine go away today, I don't feel much like dancing<br />
Some man's come he's trying to run my </span></span><a class="kLink" href="http://www.lyricsdownload.com/jonathan-edwards-sunshine-lyrics.html#" id="KonaLink0" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial !important; -webkit-background-origin: initial !important; background-attachment: initial !important; background-image: none !important; background-repeat: initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">life</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">, don't know what he's asking<br />
When he tells me I better get in line, can't hear what he's saying<br />
When I grow up, I'm gonna make him mine, these ain't dues I been paying<br />
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How much does it cost?<br />
I'll buy it!<br />
The time is all we've lost<br />
I'll try it!<br />
He can't even run his own </span></span><a class="kLink" href="http://www.lyricsdownload.com/jonathan-edwards-sunshine-lyrics.html#" id="KonaLink1" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial !important; -webkit-background-origin: initial !important; background-attachment: initial !important; background-image: none !important; background-repeat: initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">life</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">,<br />
I'll be damned if he'll run mine--sunshine...<br />
<br />
Sunshine, go away today, I don't feel much like dancing<br />
Some man's come he's trying to run my life, don't know what he's asking<br />
Working starts to make me wonder where fruits of what I do are going<br />
When he says in love and war all is fair, he's got cards he ain't showing<br />
<br />
How much does it cost?<br />
I'll buy it!<br />
The time is all we've lost--I'll try it!<br />
He can't even run his own life,<br />
I'll be damned if he'll run mine--sunshine...<br />
<br />
Sunshine, come on back another day,<br />
I promise you I'll be </span></span><a class="kLink" href="http://www.lyricsdownload.com/jonathan-edwards-sunshine-lyrics.html#" id="KonaLink2" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial !important; -webkit-background-origin: initial !important; background-attachment: initial !important; background-image: none !important; background-repeat: initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">singing</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
This old world, she's gonna turn around,<br />
brand new bells will be ringing</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">by </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Jonathan Edwards</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">This was a song I heard when growing up and I felt it had value then and even more now.</span></div></div></span></center>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-60317126409316238082010-04-12T15:51:00.004-05:002010-04-12T15:54:56.504-05:00Looking for Rip-Roar Moments in your life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal">The definition of a rip-roar moment is when you recognize a unique moment in your life and take advantage of it and it becomes a great moment, a memory, in your life, rather than a moment you wished you could have back. Would you share yours with us? <br />
<br />
I am putting together a talk about how so many people miss these type of moments and how we can begin to capture them so when we look back instead of seeing moments we missed, we see the moments we had.<br />
<br />
Some examples:<br />
- Friend and I in college played racket ball at 1:30 in the morning.<br />
- Stopping in the middle of my workout to listen to my son's issue.<br />
- My son sharing his popsicle with me without me even asking.<br />
- Taking the day off of work to see my daughter sing at her pre-school graduation.<br />
<br />
Would you mind sending me some of your rip-roar moments, I would love to be able, which your permission to use them in my talk.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div></span>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-74498519231076094212010-04-12T12:58:00.002-05:002010-04-12T12:58:21.709-05:00Are you afraid of the Atheist?<w:sdt contentlocked="t" id="89512093" sdtgroup="t"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdt docpart="972117BE9AB54EA7B37EE34015C7996B" id="89512082" storeitemid="X_DD225439-12D1-45AD-9661-DD3D6C80ACF8" text="t" title="Post Title" xpath="/ns0:BlogPostInfo/ns0:PostTitle"></w:sdt></span> </w:sdt><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Monday, April 12, 2010<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12:37 PM<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There seems to be a building concern about the movement of atheism, an assault on us Christians lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would say it has grown to a point of fear, a fear to the point where I am seeing Christians thinking we need to defend ourselves, strike out, write nasty letters, feel like victimizing the person, or group trying to minimize Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I understand these feelings. Just last Sunday in Church I was shown a clip of a documentary demeaning religion and Christianity; it flared up in me without want, but I was mad at the person narrating the movie, I wanted to write him a letter, I angered he should have something horrible done to him AI felt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The instant these feelings hit me, I stopped and wondered why, what do I have to worry about, who cares who believes him, is it really an assault on Christianity or Religion as a whole or me personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even if it is, so what, is may desire to strike out because I am afraid he might be right, because others will think I am wrong, will I not have justification for my belief?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Christianity has become defensive; the movie "Davinci Code" came out and Angles and Demons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians were outraged and even the Churches 'investigated the movies to see if there was anything offensive - but even if there was - so what, why are we so afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Shouldn't our faith be our faith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And are we not already forewarned this would happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The best way to respond is to not acknowledge and not to justify but to stand strong in our faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not have to justify our faith, faith is not logical this is why we are called on it to have it and thus rewarded for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">If you are afraid of Atheism it might be because you are afraid atheism might catch on and we will be outcasts, then what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, we were forewarned of this and my prayer is you have had your faith tested and your character strengthened so when the time comes when our faith is put at the will of the guillotine, we use these moments to demonstrate our faith, not prove it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Words don't prove faith, it's how we show it!</span></div>Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-15879343496179794032010-03-12T16:38:00.003-06:002010-03-12T16:46:07.582-06:00I am 48 almost 49...I am 48 almost 49…<br />
<br />
<br />
When I get up from lying on the carpeted floor, I sense my weight and my lack of conditioning. I rise to one knee, I pause to balance, I shift my weight forward and exert both legs to lift my torso upward. The pain! Not too severe, jolts through my knee. I grunt to help with the effort, I waver slightly in my ascent, and again I was able to overcome the immense gravitation pull on my body.<br />
<br />
Getting to the floor is easier, but I am not sure with less effort or potential damage to my knees. I stand erect and position myself in the approximation of where my torso will land; I slowly bend my knees which turn into buckling. They cautiously but forcefully hit the carpeted floor with a slight skid. I can feel the compression in my knees from the impact, then the thud of my torso hitting my target.<br />
<br />
Shortly after comforting myself, the aching my right shoulder starts. It is not the type of aching which is annoying but can be ignored. It is more like a grind aching – maybe even pain, the type which cannot be ignored – kind of like the pain one feels with a toothache. If I leave my arm in this position the high pitched ache gets worse. Over the years I have learned how to lodge a pillow under my arm in such a way which brings down the screeching pain to a low monotone bass. Something I can withstand for a reasonable amount of time. My favorite way to watch TV, read a book, or write is on the floor on my stomach – well it used to be.<br />
<br />
When my right should developed the ache, I attributed it to an accident I had while riding my bike. I crashed and the brunt of the fall was directly on my right shoulder. When I got up, I could not move my shoulder, it hurt and I knew it was badly hurt, but luckily at this point it was one of the low wave pains. Ironically, I was on my way to a Chiropractor appointment.<br />
<br />
The Chiropractor made sure my arm was not dislocated and took a couple x-rays, which revealed I had a hairline fracture in my shoulder blade. Since the accident, I have been limited to how much I could use my right arm – I am right handed too. I could not throw baseballs or footballs for very long and exit swimming practice early before my arm would flair up It was a long time before my right shoulder felt close to normal, but it never recovered fully.<br />
<br />
My shoulder was never examined by a MD. I never had a follow up appointment to make sure my shoulder healed correctly. I simply learned to live within the limitations I had developed.<br />
<br />
Up until the last few years, I had attributed this chronic pain to my bicycle accident. But I noticed something about my body. I noticed if I slept on either side, the shoulder I slept on ached. I also noticed when I raised my hands and put them behind my head, my favorite TV watching position, both shoulders felt like they were glued in place. <br />
<br />
Family history. Oh my goodness, my memory revealed to me. My mom – it’s her fault I say in jest, but apparently I did inherit some of her genetics, one being arthritis. I remember my mom having significant should issues throughout my childhood. In fact, she was told not to do anything physical which caused her to raise her arms above her head for any duration. Today, this is when my own shoulders seem to act up – interesting coincidence. <br />
<br />
After years of believing my accident on my bike was the cause of my suffering, this new revelation has redirected my blame from the accident or lack of quality care to that of inheritance. The accident may have escalated the onset of arthritis, but it was not the catalyst.<br />
<br />
We Jump years ahead into history. I am a dad of five children. Two of my children have been harmed by genes in part from me. In both cases, there were events in their lives which I believe escalated the early onset of their illness.<br />
<br />
As I worked through my shoulder injury from seventh grade, the accident was not recognized as the initial cause, but it became a problem of my own and by some peoples my own inhibitor which I just needed the fortitude to work through.<br />
<br />
This very same attitude is being attributed to my son and daughter. Those around look at them as the source of the problem and they put all the pressure on them to correct ‘their’ problem and just learn to be ‘normal’. Yet, they have no more control over these issues than I do with the ache in my shoulder. The can as I have, recognize their limitations and work around them, find ways to cope and improve, these won’t heal, they won’t go away, and every time I lie down on the floor, my shoulder will ache too.<br />
<br />
I am 48 almost 49 and I often sit down at a table and a numbness creeps into my right arm, from the shoulder down. It hurts, like a low hum, you know it’s there but not bothersome enough to do something about. It’s kind of like the how your foot feels right before the pricking pin feeling kicks in. I operate just fine, but I have to admit there is a small nuisance which comes with it.<br />
<br />
I get a pinched nerve in my ankle every once in a while. It is so severe I cannot walk, although sometimes I can walk if I do so on the side of my foot. And from time to time, when I lay down on the floor without shoes, my foot rolls over and puts pressure on the outside edge of the ball of my foot, this causes it to inflame. Last year, twice, something in the heal of my foot became inflamed and I could not tell you even with a wild guess how it happened. The doctor joked seriously maybe I should just stay on anti-inflammatory medicines!<br />
<br />
And a couple years ago, I was running on my treadmill and a flash of heat went across my ‘good’ knee. Within a few days I could not move without sever pain to myself. I slept in a chair for several nights because it was the only position the pain would reduce to low enough to allow for periodic sleep. I went to the doctor, he had no idea. He sent me to a specialist, he had no idea, so he sent me to have a special x-ray taken of my knee. This all took several weeks. By the time I got back to the doctor to review the results of the x-ray, my knee had healed itself. The result, I had arthritis in my knee – or did.<br />
<br />
So I am 48 almost 49 and getting up and down from the floor is strategic. I have a tail bone with a cracked or broken vertebrae, thanks to a dumb event at five years old, my right shoulder aches and goes numb, both shoulder grin with pain if I raise them above my head for a period of time. I get inflammations for what seems to be no apparent reason. My knees feel as though they will explode while squatting, I have to wear 1.5x reading glasses which sometimes make everything look better! <br />
<br />
I am 48 almost 49, I am down to my last dollar and I am starting my life over. I still carry the wounds from the past, but just as I have always done, I will work around them and/or strengthen them, but they will not stop me from moving forward, this I write.Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-76259863555940171372010-03-09T12:37:00.002-06:002010-03-09T12:37:33.227-06:00I write therefore I am...Today, I am writing as if it is for my life, like someone who might be exercising to keep themselves alive after they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. I have a terminal illness it’s not a physical one but a mental one, it called fear and procrastination, lack of faith.<br />
<br />
My concern is not doing what I need to do before it becomes too late! I have to question – am I just a complete failure? I scream YES because how would I get myself into this situation in the first place, yet again? But then again, how did I get this far if I was a complete failure? I guess having three women loving me enough to marry me is a compliment rather than I have three failed marriages. Or, maybe I can like Alexander Graham Bell and say I did not fail three times, I simply found three relationships that did not work. Regardless of my situation, I have something to say, I have the ability to say it, yet I let each day go by with the thanks it is over. Yet, then I fear sleep even though I long for it, the warm comfort of the bed the sweetness of my dreams, I know I will awake tomorrow with the same cancer I had yesterday.<br />
<br />
The difference between me and terminal cancer, I can cause terminal cancer to withdraw, go into submission and cure myself just by doing what I need to do. In fact, every word I write here is one word towards my cure.<br />
<br />
So what is wrong with me I cry. And even my family and friends condemn me for my cancer, but to me it is no difference than being confronted with a deadly situation, the mind and body freeze, thus I am the deer in the head lights.Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20349838.post-86046689245760585462010-02-23T11:26:00.000-06:002010-02-23T11:26:47.660-06:00You have it or not and it growsWould you agree with me. One either has faith or they don't. You believe or you don't. It's like you are pregnant or not. Love however; seems to be a continued growth. Each day I learn to love more and when I feel like I've reached my max, I still can love even more. What are you thoughts, are continually challenged to find even more love in your heart, more compassion, more empathy?Disciple of Christ in Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706573726891366258noreply@blogger.com0