Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Maybe Tidbits
I have been asked to continue this blog and am considering it; but, if I do it will not be a daily posting; but, postings as something of merit occurs. I will absolutely consider it. Perhaps I can make a post each week and include news of the week, we shall see.
As the blog ends
ANYONE who has followed this blog, anyone can ask me via comment for the new blog's address and I will send it to them if they include their e-mail address in the comment. The comment will not be published unless you request it and I still moderate.
There are people who read this blog for the non-religious stuff and I want them to know the new blog is only religious, I seek to trick no person. I am not into tricks and lies. Those who wish to read my words in the future need to know that it is spiritual only. I do not wish to trick anyone into reading about religion.
I have over 800 posts on this blog, the vast majority are not about religion and continue to be found on searches. I feel a responsibility to leave this blog up and not destroy it, primarily because of Pastor Daniels; but, also because of those who chose to read it. I just don't choose to keep it current, I cannot do so in a fair way. I have a "mission" and it is more important to me. I love you all.
There are people who read this blog for the non-religious stuff and I want them to know the new blog is only religious, I seek to trick no person. I am not into tricks and lies. Those who wish to read my words in the future need to know that it is spiritual only. I do not wish to trick anyone into reading about religion.
I have over 800 posts on this blog, the vast majority are not about religion and continue to be found on searches. I feel a responsibility to leave this blog up and not destroy it, primarily because of Pastor Daniels; but, also because of those who chose to read it. I just don't choose to keep it current, I cannot do so in a fair way. I have a "mission" and it is more important to me. I love you all.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Goodbye
I have started my new blog. I will not post it's address here. Anyone who has been a reader of this blog is more than welcome to request the new address and I will provide it; but, the new blog will be about God. I may discuss current events; but, it will always be with a spiritual framework.
I am leaving this blog up; however, I will not be posting here often or possibly at all. I send my best to all who have come here over the years and truly appreciate the experience.
This blog has been a true blessing to me. Everything has it's time and it's time has passed. Thank you for having shared this journey with me and may God share his love with you. Be well.
I am leaving this blog up; however, I will not be posting here often or possibly at all. I send my best to all who have come here over the years and truly appreciate the experience.
This blog has been a true blessing to me. Everything has it's time and it's time has passed. Thank you for having shared this journey with me and may God share his love with you. Be well.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
I Learned a Lesson Today
For a number of reasons, half of the people who had planned to attend our service today were unable to come. It was a good thing because I needed to learn a lesson. I needed to commit myself and I hadn't, I was reluctant and I need to be committed 100%.
A young man came in who we did not know. He stayed longer than he should have because he had a prior engagement. For some reason he just decided to come in and listen (he had been in the room next door). I had said that if just one person came then I would come. I never want to walk into an empty room, I always want their to be two or more.
Today was the day that I thought of Pastor Carol Daniels. I thought about how she did just that, came in not knowing if anyone else would come. I cannot compare my talking to a few people to her lifelong commitment; but, if she could drive as far as she did on the chance that someone might come then I guess I can do the same and I don't have to drive far.
A young man came in who we did not know. He stayed longer than he should have because he had a prior engagement. For some reason he just decided to come in and listen (he had been in the room next door). I had said that if just one person came then I would come. I never want to walk into an empty room, I always want their to be two or more.
Today was the day that I thought of Pastor Carol Daniels. I thought about how she did just that, came in not knowing if anyone else would come. I cannot compare my talking to a few people to her lifelong commitment; but, if she could drive as far as she did on the chance that someone might come then I guess I can do the same and I don't have to drive far.
Not a Day of Rest for Me
It is Sunday again and I have work to do. I did all my housekeeping activities yesterday so that I would have only one thing to do today. I have spent all week thinking about what I will say today and still am unsure. I have about 15 different discussions in my head that I might have.
I read the news today and came across an interesting article. Warren Buffet has called on more taxes for the rich. He complained that the rich, including himself, have been coddled long enough and that most don't even pay the same percentage as the middle class. One sleazy politician has said that if Mr. Buffet wants to pay more he should just send a check. I wonder how much money that politician has received from wealthy friends?
We are living in the worst economic times in our nations history and people are in very bad situations, our friends and neighbors are out of work and our children have little to look forward to if we don't give a little. Why would any politician want to see us into a third world country, because all they care about is themselves. I commend Mr. Buffet because he does not wish to see that happen and neither do I.
I read the news today and came across an interesting article. Warren Buffet has called on more taxes for the rich. He complained that the rich, including himself, have been coddled long enough and that most don't even pay the same percentage as the middle class. One sleazy politician has said that if Mr. Buffet wants to pay more he should just send a check. I wonder how much money that politician has received from wealthy friends?
We are living in the worst economic times in our nations history and people are in very bad situations, our friends and neighbors are out of work and our children have little to look forward to if we don't give a little. Why would any politician want to see us into a third world country, because all they care about is themselves. I commend Mr. Buffet because he does not wish to see that happen and neither do I.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Forgiveness
I am preparing for what I will discuss tomorrow. I prepare, partially, by thinking about the subject I want to discuss and the point that I wish to make. I read as much news as I can to find examples. One subject matter I have been considering is forgiveness. A real tricky thing to describe.
I had a song on my mind by Don Henley of the Eagles called "Forgiveness". I searched on YouTube and came across this video. "Venia (Forgiveness)". The word venia can be used to mean forgiveness, grace and other such things. The video tells the story of a young lady who was killed in the Virginia Tech shootings, her name was Mary Karen Read. Her last writings in her journal were, “When deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive… Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”
We tend to get angry with people when they either prevent us from getting what we want or intentionally do something to harm us. Once we perceive harm to us we then foster anger at the other person. The emotion is completely within us, it does not impact the other person unless we return the harm. The harm the anger does is really towards ourselves.
Here is the odd thing about it, if someone harms me and I forgive them, the one who benefits is me. In fact, if I forgive someone they may not even know it and believe that I am still angry with them. Someone harmed me very badly and I told them that I forgave them, they told me that they did not want any of my so called forgiveness. Heck, I will take all the forgiveness I can get.
Forgiveness does not come all at once, we have to accept that what has happened has happened and that we cannot undo it. The next step is to just let it go, that gets easier over time. The trick is to look forward rather than look back, the trick is to be headed somewhere.
I don't know how you have been hurt and I don't need to. I can tell you this, when you are lying on your deathbed, how do you want to go out? Last week I was talking to someone who has made a very big mistake in his life and there will be penalties for it. Like most people, his first thought was that he would never make the same mistake again, I asked him to think about where he was going because if you are not headed to a better place then you will go back to the old place.
We should learn from our past and consider it; but, you have to be more concerned about where you are going, what you want your life to mean. I have learned so much in the last four years as a result of betrayals that were done to me. I don't have the time to think about much of what is past as I am building my life and am focused on where I want to go, what the rest of my life will mean. I would much rather it be about love than about loss and those are the choices we all have. Be well.
I had a song on my mind by Don Henley of the Eagles called "Forgiveness". I searched on YouTube and came across this video. "Venia (Forgiveness)". The word venia can be used to mean forgiveness, grace and other such things. The video tells the story of a young lady who was killed in the Virginia Tech shootings, her name was Mary Karen Read. Her last writings in her journal were, “When deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive… Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”
We tend to get angry with people when they either prevent us from getting what we want or intentionally do something to harm us. Once we perceive harm to us we then foster anger at the other person. The emotion is completely within us, it does not impact the other person unless we return the harm. The harm the anger does is really towards ourselves.
Here is the odd thing about it, if someone harms me and I forgive them, the one who benefits is me. In fact, if I forgive someone they may not even know it and believe that I am still angry with them. Someone harmed me very badly and I told them that I forgave them, they told me that they did not want any of my so called forgiveness. Heck, I will take all the forgiveness I can get.
Forgiveness does not come all at once, we have to accept that what has happened has happened and that we cannot undo it. The next step is to just let it go, that gets easier over time. The trick is to look forward rather than look back, the trick is to be headed somewhere.
I don't know how you have been hurt and I don't need to. I can tell you this, when you are lying on your deathbed, how do you want to go out? Last week I was talking to someone who has made a very big mistake in his life and there will be penalties for it. Like most people, his first thought was that he would never make the same mistake again, I asked him to think about where he was going because if you are not headed to a better place then you will go back to the old place.
We should learn from our past and consider it; but, you have to be more concerned about where you are going, what you want your life to mean. I have learned so much in the last four years as a result of betrayals that were done to me. I don't have the time to think about much of what is past as I am building my life and am focused on where I want to go, what the rest of my life will mean. I would much rather it be about love than about loss and those are the choices we all have. Be well.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Today in San Bernardino
Is this a sign of the times? This article from the Los Angeles Times discusses how the FBI and IRS searched the offices and homes of many politicians in San Bernardino.
We have county politicians agreeing to a $103 million dollar settlement in a case with a developer when their own legal counsel told them not to. You can legally move a lot of money that way. You see, cities and counties can vote behind closed doors to settle a case, any case, even one that they will probably win.
Look at how your city or county has settled cases, who the opponents were and how valid the cases were. Bell and Vernon got nothing on how the bigger game is played. Why do we let these things go on? How much longer can we afford this?
We have county politicians agreeing to a $103 million dollar settlement in a case with a developer when their own legal counsel told them not to. You can legally move a lot of money that way. You see, cities and counties can vote behind closed doors to settle a case, any case, even one that they will probably win.
Look at how your city or county has settled cases, who the opponents were and how valid the cases were. Bell and Vernon got nothing on how the bigger game is played. Why do we let these things go on? How much longer can we afford this?
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