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 |  Fibro fog, pain, writing sandwiched in between. Quotes. Sermon notes. Encouragement. |
A Texas Sunrise  A friend, William Taylor, took this picture. He visits Surfside Beach with his dogs almost every morning, watching the sun rise while the dogs prance about at the water's edge. This is only about ten miles from where I lived in Lake Jackson, Texas. Sadly, I only visited this beach about four times in the six years I lived nearby. Each day is a challenge. A challenge to get by without thinking about the fibromyalgia pains. A challenge to stay awake when chronic fatigure wants to take over. And a challenge to navigate through fibro fog. I haven't been writing as much as in the past. For years, I wrote at least 500 words a day. Now, I'm lucky if I write 500 words in month. Sigh. For more information about what my day (or life) is all about with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic pains, IBS, depression and everything else thrown in, check this out:
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| So...I put decided to do a Google alert for my name. I know there are other Marilyn Mackenzies out there, but I figured I wouldn't get a tremendous number of the alerts and I was just curious. Well, sure enough, I got an alert. And don't you know, the alert was about this Marilyn. Cool. Someone decided to use one my articles at ezinearticles.com. That's cool. It's a free content site, and folks are free to use anything for their newsletters as long as they keep my name attached and link back to ezinearticles.com. Way cool. Look at the article they chose to use! "If So Many Believe in God, Why Doesn't it Show?" The words should be familiar to y'all because they started as a blog entry.  http://ezinearticles.com/?If-So-Many-Believe-in-God,-Why-Doesnt-It-Show?&id=3655...So...I clicked on the URL to see where my words had ended up.  There were my words - about God - and with my name attached to them.....right next to a woman's naked buns. Well, not totally naked buns. She had a teeny, tiny thong thingy on. I think she was topless too, but everything was covered up by her pose. Yikes.I have to 'fess up. I didn't just back out of there. But I didn't do any exploring either. What I saw right there was enough. I didn't want to see anything else. But I was curious about why my writings ended up THERE! So I explored that one page only. Turns out it was a blog and my article was this woman's blog entry for the day. At first I didn't know what to think. I didn't know if I should ask her to remove my writings, or what. Then I decided that God has quite a sense of humor. There beside this woman's almost naked body are the words, "If So Many Believe in God, Why Doesn't It Show?"  Isn't that a hoot?I decided not to say anything. People going to this bimbo's site are going to be quite surprised at getting a touch of God. |
| This continues our pastor's series from James. Faith Works (Part 4) Taming Temptation James 1:12 NIV Bless is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  Don't panic.† James 1:13 NIV When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." † 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. † Hebrews 4:15 NLT This High Priest (Jesus) of our understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same temptations we do, het He did not sin. You will be tempted. Being saved does not keep temptation away. It is not a sin to be tempted; the sin is giving in to temptation. Don't pass the buck.† James 1:13 GW When someone is tempted, he shouldn't say that God is tempting him. God can't be tempted by evil, and God doesn't tempt anyone. Quite blaming other people, God, the government, even the devil. Be prepared.† James 1:14-16 NCV But people are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them. This desire leads to sin, and then the sin grows and brings death. My dear brothers and sisters, do not be fooled about this. † 1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. † 2 Corinthians 3:11 GW I don't want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan's scheming. What we can count on:  It begins with me.† James 1:14a MSG The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us... God's plan is not about me. Satan's plan is all about me. He exposes my weaknesses.† James 1:14 NRSV But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it. † James 1:14b MSG We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Any out of control urge is wrong. He moves me from attention to action.† James 1:15a NIV Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin... We go from imagination to fantasy to action. We are like fish. We think we can nibble and nibble and nibble at the bait. But... There is a price.† James 1:15b GW When sin grows up, it gives birth to death. We have the freedom of kicks but not freedom from kick-backs. Re-prioritize (change focus).† James 1:17 NLT Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. † Philippians 4:8 NIV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. If you're in the car and in a bad mood, don't listen to the Blues station. Turn on a contemporary Christian or Gospel station! Get power to live.† James 1:18 NCV God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things he made. † 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT But remember that temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Be born again! Salem's answers to taming temptation. Small groups. (Being accountable.) Bible reading plan. (Learning and growing and understanding.) |
| This continues our pastor's series from James. Faith Works (Part 3) Winning at Life's Mind-Games "We make our decisions and then our decisions make us." - Frank Forham AGGRAVATION: Waivering indecision.† James 1:8 NIV He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. Levels of instability.Emotional instability. "The most miserablel person in the world is the person who is habitually indecisive." William James Some people use more energy deciding than doing. Relational instability. Spiritual instability. † James 1:7 GW A person who has doubts shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord. Spiritual instability blocks our prayers and our blessings. We need to be believers 24/7, not Christians on Sunday and AWOL on Monday. ANSWER: Wisdom of God.† James 1:5-6 NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. The world is not about wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. Steps to the answer:See the need. † Proverbs 11:2 NIV When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Seek the wisdom. † Proverbs 2:6 NCV Only the Lord gives wisdom; he gives knowledge and understanding. Secure your faith. † Hebrews 11:6 NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Doubt is there every day. We have to ask for wisdom every day - BELIEVING. ASSURANCE: Willingness of God.Wisdom is in the Word.† Psalms 119:105 NIV Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Having a light on your path means you won't stub your toes. It's my choice.Free will is both a blessing and a curse. If God doesn't answer and you say, "I knew He wouldn't", well DUH. You have to believe. Focus on Him not on the circumstances. God gives continually, generously an cheerfully. There is grace for all of our mistakes. |
Remember? I gave the sermon at our church on July 15. I wrote the sermon, but my pastor created a sermon notes page to give out to the members. He figured they're so used to having them that they would be lost without them.  He also provided a power point presentation while I spoke. It was these Bible verses on screen. Nice of him, huh?I'll put my sermon in a static sometime soon. But here are the notes... Date: 7-15-2007 Message by: Marilyn Mackenzie Williamson Take Note: † John 13:35 NIV By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Romans 12:10 NIV Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 13:8 NIV Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 1 Peter 3:8 NIV Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Loving in practical ways 1. DEALING WITH EXCUSES: I Samuel 17:42 NIV He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV …"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Exodus 4:10 NIV O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue. 2. PREPARATION: John 13:35 NIV By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Matt 28:19 NIV “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… “ Matt 25:34-40 NIV Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 3. ARK Almighty. Go to http://www.arkalmighty.com/church/ and go to "look for my church" enter “Salem Community Church” and click “Find”. “Act of Random Kindness.” “You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.“ - Robert Louis Stevenson Luke 6:38 NIV Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Daily Doses: For those with extremely busy schedules: Take just a minute a day to start out with a Word from the Lord. Read it! Listen Again! Write down how it applies to you. Finally pray about it. [ ](Monday) John 13:35 [ ](Tuesday) Rom 12:10 [ ](Wednesday) Rom 13:8 [ ](Thursday) 1 Pet 3:8 [ ](Friday) 1 Tim 4:12 [ ](Saturday) Mat. 28:19 [ ](Sunday) Mat 25:40 Through the Bible in One Year "Parson Larsen's Quiet Time Notebook" or “Through the Bible In 1 Year” brochure study guides are available in the lobby of the church. This free resource should help you to develop a Bible reading plan that will certainly bless your week. |
| ...cleaning the house and sermon notes. Both at the same time? Well, not really. Cleaning, then writing, cleaning, then writing. Remember the Wergle Flomp contest I entered. Well boo hoo, I didn't win.  There were 901 entries. As a reminder one had to write a bad poem and submit to one of the vanity poetry sites. You know the ones...that try to sell you expensive books, want you to pay hundreds of dollars to attend an awards ceremony and pay for your own awards. After submitting to the vanity sites and being accepted, then one could enter the same poem at the Wergle Flomp contest. Here's the list of winners with links to their poems. http://www.winningwriters.com/contests/wergle/2007/we07_pastwinners.php If you're interested in entering the 2008 Wergle Flomp contest, here's the info. http://www.winningwriters.com/contests/wergle/we_guidelines.php Entries from August 15, 2007 to April 1, 2008. |
| Tomorrow I'll work on all those semon notes. I said I would. I spent some time at the church today. Besides being co-chair for the ArkAlmighty ministry, and being asked to help with 40 Days of Community, I'm now working on doing job descriptions for all of the volunteer positions in the church. And trying to write up some things for bulletins and newsletters about different upcoming events. The ol' body didn't want to cooperate this morning, though. Almost didn't make it to the church, and by the time I came home a few hours later I was feeling rather puny (as mom always said). I found a really cute dog on Petfinders.com at a shelter in Northern Kentucky. That's just a hoot and a holler from us and I decided to put an application in at the shelter. I figured by the time they got around to checking my app, the dog I thought was cute would be gone. Guess not. The application was huge. The things they asked...including 3 references they couldl call. They did. And a vet they could call. Ditto. Then they emailed me a few times clarifying incidences with previous and current pets. My, my. I'm glad, actually, that they're taking this seriously. Today a worker called to say she'd like to come by on Saturday to do a home check. I told her that with my fibromyalgia I'm not a very good housekeeper. She insisted it wasn't about the house, per se, except to see if I was truthful on my application. And she wanted to see what kind of person I am (and Jim is and Derek if he's around). The dog may or may not come with her, depending on whether he's occupied with his foster family. So you know what I'll be doing after doing the sermon notes tomorrow. Cleaning house. Can't over do too much, 'cause I need to be up to having visitors on Saturday. And then going to the church picnic and baptism party on Saturday afternoon and evening. And still being able to get to church on Sunday. Somewhere in there I have to do some resting. Hmmm. Hey, check it out. I've shared some pictures of Pittsburgh with you before. I found another Pittsburgh native here, and she has a picture of the Bridge to Nowhere in her port. Wish I had one...
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| Here's a story that hit my inbox this morning: "PFC Brendan Schweigart was helping retrieve a tank in Iraq when he was shot by an enemy sniper. The bullet missed his vital organs, however, because he kept a Bible over his heart." http://www.thecronline.com/news_article.php?nid=2899&ndate=12/08/2007 Sounds like a miracle. Have you heard about this one? "The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the United Methodist Church filed a federal lawsuit Saturday against New Jersey officials. The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights has threatened to prosecute the Camp Meeting Association for adhering to its deeply held religious beliefs. State officials launched an investigation after the Christian organization refused to allow a same-sex civil union ceremony at one of its worship facilities." http://www.thecronline.com/news_article.php?nid=2903&ndate=14/08/2007 What do you think? Should this religious organization have the right to decide who is married on its private property? When I worked at a church in Texas, the priests and ministers in the area had an agreement with each other - a covenant, actually - that they would not marry anyone without first insisting the couple go through at least six pre-marital counseling sessions. Often times, we would get phone calls from couples in a panic because their own church would not marry them in a hurry. I had to explain that all of the area churches were in agreement on this. It made some couples mad. One couple tried to get around these requirements by just calling to ask if they could rent our facilities. I asked what the purpose of their meeting was, since our churh would not rent the facilities for something that went against the church beliefs. They explained that they wanted to have a wedding, but they didn't want or need our pastor for the ceremony. I explained that even if they were going to use another pastor or a justice of the peace, the requirements were the same. The couple had to go through six counseling sessions in order to use our church for a wedding. They were not pleased. Here are some more questions. Do you think the state would have gotten involved in this if it was just a case of the church requiring pre-marital counseling? Would they have gotten involved if the church's doctrine said it would not marry anyone who had not been baptized? Or did the state only get involved because the church refused to allow a wedding of a same-sex couple? "To read Jesus is to see one who was intolerant of empty religion and self-righteous hypocrisy and treated with tenderness the sinful and broken. The modern church has been far too tolerant of sin, hypocrisy and corruption among its leaders while proclaiming judgment on the masses." http://www.thecronline.com/mag_article.php?mid=1108&mname=August Boy that's the truth. In our church in Florida, there were quite a few active leaders whose children were living with their partners. One leader's son and girlfriend got pregnant, and they made no plans to get married. But they did expect their church friends to celebrate with them. A few months after their son was born, I was asked to substitute for the 20-something Sunday school teacher for a few weeks while she vacationed. Before she left, she explained that there were parts of the lessons that she was skipping because they would upset the class. Know what one of the lessons was that she intended to skip? It was all about the fact that God intended intimate relations to take place in a marriage only. I do think that couple should have still had the love and support of the church members, but not as if they had done nothing wrong. They had, but God forgives and so should the church. The part that was wrong was that no one ever confronted them about what had happened. No one suggested that they should make things right by getting married either. And what's worse... There was a neighbor girl who was not a member of the church who also ended up having a baby out of wedlock. One day, I was in the church picking up some supplies when I heard a group of older women talking about that neighbor girl. They were talking downright nasty about her. Well...most of you know me by now. I had to put my two cents worth into that discussion. I simply asked why it was a sin for someone outside the church to err in that way, and not for someone within the church. Later on, one of the more gentle ladies admitted that she struggled with that very question, but she also knew that the father and mother of the young man with the new baby gave lots and lots of money to the church and she didn't want them to get angry and take their tithes away. What?!?!?!? I guess I've always been vocal about things of this sort. I was probably only about 20 myself when I asked a preacher why the church preached a message that the rich folks in the church could be comfortable with, instead of preaching truth. By the way... Here's what I wrote at Gather.com today: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977085661 |
| I drove Derek to the store last night and waited for him in the car while he got just a few things. As I flipped through the radio dial, I stopped on a Christian station that was talking about "tweens." Tweens? It used to be that pre-teens were defined as eleven and twelve year olds. They were a bit too old to be just kids and not yet teens. I could understand that. Last night, a children's ministry worker and children's author explained that tweens are now defined as 8 to 12 year olds. Okay....??? And...??? She also explained that these "tweens" are now doing what teens of the past used to do. Huh? She also spoke of this group - 8 to 12 year olds, mind you - as young adults. WHAT???? She explained that "tweens" have to have the "right" cell phones, IPods, clothes, shoes and hair styles. They tell their parents what cars are cool to drive and which ones are just not acceptable. Two 10 year olds were interviewed briefly. When asked what was important as they enter school this week, they both said that their clothes, shoes and hair style had to be just right or they would be never be popular. The interviewer asked what would happen if they wore the wrong clothes, and they explained that MOST kids don't usually say anything to your face. They just talk behind your back and decide as a group that you are to be avoided at all cost. Then the author explained tween life a bit more. She said that these kids (remember 8 to 12) are exposed to sex and violence in the ways that teens of the past used to be. Parents allow them to watch PG13 movies, and sometimes even R rated movies. She said that, fortunately, they are not usually pressured into having sex or doing drugs at that age, but they are most likely exposed to it - on the school grounds. Perhaps they're not pressured. But not long ago there was a 19 year old interviewed on TV who had just gone through drug rehab. She explained that she first started doing Crack because it colored pink and tasted just like bubble gum. That same show revealed some drugs that were disguised in what looked like famous candy bars. You know what I'm wondering? How did we - the adults of this world - allow this to happen to our kids? Are we really too busy in our own little worlds that we don't see these things? Do we - collectively - think it's okay for our kids to be exposed this way? I remember being teased - to my face - for wearing knee socks to school when I was in the 7th grade. My best friend was teased even more because she was in the 8th grade and wore ankle socks. We were both new to the neighborhood and the other girls all wore hose, not socks. I was teased even more because I carried my violin to school and back each day and because I actually brought books home to study and got good grades. Carol and I never let that bother us. Perhaps it helped that there were two of us who were "different". But I think it had more to do with how we were raised and how our parents reacted to these "problems." It didn't matter to our parents at all that we were being teased; we weren't going to wear stockings to school. Period. And you know...in the winter we relished the fact that we were quite warm (Carol wore knee socks in winter) as we waited sometimes 45 minutes for our bus as it struggled through the snow. Those girls with their skirts rolled to expose more leg and stockings, and cutsey mid-weight coats (because they wouldn't be caught dead in an ugly, heavy winter coat or wearing gloves or mittens) froze while we were quite comfy. In high school, we were not allowed to wear pants until I was a senior, and then the pants had to be part of a pant suit. Jeans were something you wore in your leisure time, not at school. There, my group of friends wore a variety of outfits. One, who took secretarial classes, wore what would have been appropriate in an office. The two who were going to vocational school half days wore clothing that was appropriate for the jobs for which they were training - a hair stylist and a nursing assistant. The rest of us - in the academic crowd - wore whatever dresses or skirts we pleased. Sometimes we wore something short; sometimes we wore long skirts and knee-high boots. It didn't matter what everyone else was wearing. We just didn't care. What has happened? Why do kids think they have to be copycats of each other? Why do they think they all have to own the same game systems, cell phones, etc. Something has changed dramatically, and not for the good. Think it's possible to go backward? Probably not. So...what would you propose? How do you or will you help the kids around you learn that their value is not in the clothes they wear or the electronic devices they own or the cars their families drive? I just found this quote that I think applies here and in many parts of life as it's becoming... “All that is neccesary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” ~ Edmund Burke |
| I missed church this morning. I did pick up Derek from work at 6:40 a.m. and was up maybe 30 minutes after that. But I finally crawled back into bed. I sort of remember hubby getting up and getting ready for church. I imagine he left around 10:30 as usual. I didn't wake up until 11:10 a.m. Looks like hubby took some good sermon notes, though, so I should be able to follow along in the sermon series. Sometime this week, I need to catch up on posting sermon notes. Y'all remind me if they don't show up by.....well, how about Thursday? Had a bit of a confrontation with a newbie the last few days. She has posted something that she found (or received?) at myspace.com. Although the words were nice, the work was not hers and she really cannot share it here. She can send a link to where we can read it. Y'all know that, right? When we post anything here a copyright notice appears at the bottom of our writings saying that it's ours. We can certainly post something that belongs to someone else if we have their written permission to do so - like a relative that will never open an account - but we cannot share works that belong to others, even if we don't know who that is. (anonymous or unknown) If you ever get confused about the copyright policy here or about copyrights in general, there is a link at the top of the page. See it? It's in a column next to the last on the right, third item down. Under "Our Store" and "Self Publish." Check out Mothering Magazine. Pays $200-$500 per article: http://www.mothering.com/sections/submission_guidelines/submission_guidelines.ht... Here's a contest that ends soon - August 15, 2007. Entry fee $1. http://www.somanystories.com/contests.htm |
| I have done lots of sleeping today. I guess the reasons are twofold. For one, I went to the chiropractor yesterday. If all I need are the heat massaging units (which I love!) and then the doc herself works on the huge knots in my back, I come away feeling fine. But sometimes the muscles in my back are sooooooooooo tight that my back requires some stretching. That doesn't hurt (although if anyone watched I'm sure it would look like torture!). But maybe, just maybe it zaps my strength a bit. Could be. The second reason I'm so tired is that I had to take a muscle relaxer last night. Boy, oh boy, if I took the prescriptions as they are written, I wouldn't spend much time here. Or time awake. I'm allowed to take two muscle relaxers per day. That's for skeletal muscles. I also have a muscle relaxer that helps relax stomach muscles. And pain pills. If I took them all as prescribed, I'd be a total zombie. (And, sadly, I would still not be pain free. The only thing that takes away all of the pain is anesthesia when I'm about to be operated on or put to sleep for tests or something. That, and morphine, which I had a few years ago when I was experiencing bad chest pains. Both of these take away all of the pain. That's when I realize how much pain I live with day after day after day.) So I choose not to use these drugs unless they're absolutely necessary. Why be in a totally drugged state or sleeping life away if they really don't take the pains completely away anyway? Sigh. I did need the muscle relaxer last night. I slept 7 1/2 hours straight after taking it, was up and groggy for about 6, then slept for another 3+ hours. I told hubby that I could - it feels like, anyway - sleep for about 3 days just because I took one muscle relaxer. The script says I can take 2 a day. Can you imagine???? Anyway. Enough whining. Not much going on here. First we were supposed to have Tiff again this weekend. Then Friday was scrapped and hubby was going to pick her up after soccer game this afternoon. He went, but she chose to not come so she could spend more time with one of her friends. Confused me. This is the same friend who just spent the whole week sleeping at Tiff's house. Oh well. Tiff should have been with us next weekend, but someone is having a 50th wedding anniversary and, I guess that takes precedence over us having her here. Shot my plans. I was figuring we'd celebrate hubby's birthday next weekend. It's the weekend before it, but with Tiff here it would have been a good time to do that, especially since it will be a payday weekend for hubby. Grrr. Supposedly she'll be here the weekend following his birthday and the one after that. We'll see. Have you been wondering about those doggone laptop battery problems? Here's an article that addresses that: http://pcpitstop.com/news/rob/rcheng0707.asp Here's a link telling where anyone can go in the U.S. for free health care. Good link to have handy, just in case. http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/ You know that I've been at issue with my doc since she prescribed some cholesterol lowering drug, even though I had been told previously not to take them. Since then, I've been reading lots of articles and studies about cholesterol. Did you know that many of those studies claim that cholesterol should be high, not low? Or that when they study patients who have heart attacks, the only things they can find that are consistent are that they CoQ10 is deficient and they were under unusual stress (emotional and/or physical). Some folks with high cholesterol have heart problems, some with low cholesterol have them. That's not what we're being told by the FDA and the drug companies, is it? Grrr. When I have finished the book I just got today about curing things without drugs, I'll let you know what I've discovered about this cholesterol thing. You know what I'm doing instead of the drug? I'm adding the CoQ10, B6, B12 and folic acid - in addition to the vitamins and minerals I already take. Trying to do a bit more walking, at least around the house. (Walking outside in this heat and humidity is miserable!) These things combined should make a difference in cholesterol - if it's higher than my level should be. Big if. Here's something Dr. Mercola had on his site: Cholesterol is NOT the Cause of Heart Disease http://www.mercola.com/2005/may/28/cholesterol_heart.htm Guess that's all for now. Have to decide if I want to sleep some more or read more of the book... |
| At a forum on another site, one of the participants talked about blogercizing. Blogercizing? She said that's what she calls her blogging experience when she really doesn't feell like writing her blog. I guess she's not thrilled with real exercise either, but forces herself to do so. Same thing goes with blogging. And when she doesn't feel like blogging, she calls it blogercize. Strange? Perhaps. Then again, we all should writercize, shouldn't we? Write when we don't feel like it? Know what I've found? Sometimes the words you force upon the page end up being a great beginning to something that really should be written. Oh sure. There are the times that every writer loves the most, the times when we sit down with pen and paper or at the keyboard and we cannot keep up with the words pouring from our brains to our fingers. Everyone has those times - sometimes. But there are also drier times, and it's then that we should force ourselves to write - ANYTHING! Sometimes when I'm not up to writing anything profound, I'll merely add to my list of writings that need to be born, to take life, someday. I have such a list on my computer. Perhaps you should too. A list of things that should be written. When you're having a dry period, adding to that list makes sense. But so does perusing the list to see if something jumps out and says, "Write me - NOW!" It could happen. I think sometimes writers have "writer's block" because they have come to expect having it. What? Well, sure. Take me, for instance. I started writing as a child. For me, there was an endless supply of writing subjects around me. You know...the wonder of a child. I filled up notebooks with my writings. I wrote and wrote and wrote. No one had ever told me that there might be times when there wasn't anything to write about, or that I wouldn't be able to find something about which to write. I never read any biographies or autobiographies about writers, just about other kinds of people. So I didn't know there was any such thing as writer's block. Through the years, I continued to write and write and write. I can honestly say that I never experienced writer's block. Yes, there were times when my pen did not race across the page as fast as it had the day before, but I could always find something for my pen to do or say. During times when I needed six hands because there were so many thoughts trying to escape onto the page at the same time, I started writing lists of things to ponder later. I learned to add to those lists when my writing mind slowed down a bit. And if I had a day when I started out thinking, "I wonder my words should be today?" then I might peruse that list of things that were screaming at me earlier, "Write me! Write me!" There's another writer's site that has categories for stories listed at the size of the page. One suggests character traits, and if you click on that link you'll find this list: aggressiveness, alertness, appreciation, commitment, complacency, courage, dependability, disappointment, fidelity, forgiveness, honesty, insight, iIntegrity, kindness, loyalty, mercy, morals, passion, patience, playfulness, resiliency, respect, sensitivity. I copied those words onto my "topics to cover someday" page to use as suggested topics. That other site also has these topics: contexts (arts & crafts, holidays, miracles, etc.), feelings (anger, confusion, delight, etc.), self-skills (self-awareness, self-esteem, etc.), skills (achieving dreams, communicating, creating, etc.), transitions (adoption, illness, death, etc.), and values (control, faith, innocence, knowledge, etc.). With that list of topics, how could one not find something about which to write? Since most of what I write is non-fiction and about people and happenings, I also have a list of my closest friends and family and notes about some incident that deserves being told. Maybe. Someday. If my lists don't spark any interest, then I know that if I sit on the porch - no matter what time of day - that I will see God's creatures all around me, enjoying their existence. I'll hear those birds singing and watch the squirrels romping. I'll observe the ants carrying heavy loads to their hidden homes. Something will surely trigger thoughts that get my fingers anxious to write. Reading the Bible is a daily adventure for me, and sometimes a verse will cause me to ponder something that should be written. Or in my discussions with God the Father, something important might come up in our talks that really should be shared with the world. To keep a good stream of future writing topics at hand, one must also read, read, read. I am always amazed at the so-called writer who claims, "I don't have time to read." Balderdash. The only way a writer can become a better writer is by reading the works of others. Remember...just living is a continuing education program. Writing certainly has to be that as well. I love Mark Twain's quotation, "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them."If you had never heard the term "writer's block" do you think you would really be able to claim it and use it as an excuse? Or would you find a way to write at every opportunity? Writers write. They write in their dreams, they write in their minds as they drive to their "real work", they write in their minds as they shop for groceries, clean the bathroom, walk the dog. Long ago, I made it perfectly clear about what I think defines a writer. Kenzie says: "I don’t think true writers ever write anything bad, not if we allow the heart and soul to be the writer of our words." Kenzie says: "If you dream of being a writer, you already are one! The words are merely being held prisoner in your mind. Release them!" But I think as I learn and grow, I have realized something else. The real writer never accepts writer's block. Oh sure, you'll hear famous writers talking about it once in a while. (Someone told them it was a reality too!) But if you listen closely, they were still trying to write even when they claimed they had writer's block. What have you tried to write today? Nothing? Then get out your list. Don't have one? Then start one. There is so much about which to write. Actually, there are not enough hours or days or weeks or months or years available to each one of us to write all the words that we have to write. Know what I think? A real writer has writer's frustration about all those words and whether or not they will ever be written. There's no time for writer's block! |
| Do you seek news other than what is available on the TV? Where do you look? I get a newsletter each day called CR Daily, News, Commentary and Opinions for Christians from the publisher of The Church Report Magazine, Jason T. Christy. That's just one of the "other" sources I use to find out what's happening all around us. http://www.thechurchreport.com Some stories from yesterday: "The Army and Air Force are considering disciplinary action against seven officers — including four generals — who violated ethics rules by assisting a Christian group in the production of a fundraising video." http://www.thecronline.com/news_article.php?nid=2873&ndate=08/08/2007 "The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) scored two important victories in Louisiana this week, protecting school board prayer “in Jesus name” and protecting a courthouse painting of Jesus holding the 10-commandments, when two judges dismissed frivolous lawsuits by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)." http://www.thecronline.com/news_article.php?nid=2872&ndate=08/08/2007 From today: "GodTube.com today announced its official launch and is already attracting more than 500,000 unique visitors per month -- connecting with millions of young people online as their traditional church attendance plummets. In this powerful new online migration of Christians, dubbed "Jesus 2.0" by GodTube.com CEO, Christopher Wyatt, GodTube.com has become a leading online community -- bringing together Christians from around the world -- to upload, share, watch and comment on Christian content. The fast-growing video sharing site, GodTube.com is tapping into one of the largest underserved markets in the world and through its Christian-centered video content is empowering a new generation. GodTube.com has more people visit its website on an average Sunday than attend the largest mega-church in America, tele-evangelist Joel Osteen's 35,000-member Lakewood Church located in Houston, TX." http://www.thechurchreport.com/mag_article.php?mid=1127&mname=August I also get a newsletter called News with Views. I'll be the first to admit that some of the views are rather....out there. Still, I think it's important to get news from sources other than the liberal media. Remember, I worked for a newspaper and discovered how news is created. "Last week I saw a story in the local paper that made me squirm. It seems that a public library was putting up a fight over the placement of sexually-suggestive books in the children’s section of the library. When a politically incorrect parent complained about the placement of such materials in an area that was open to the perusal of young eyes, it seems that the local librarian got all bent out of shape over the attempt of the parent to “censure” from children “educational” materials that the library board had deemed “appropriate.” http://www.newswithviews.com/Daubenmire/dave79.htm "Funny what makes the brain start ticking and inspires internet surfing! Featured on the TODAY show today was a purported study coming from Harvard no less. It showed that children favored food wrapped in McDonald’s packaging – even carrots. " http://www.newswithviews.com/Cumbey/constance10.htm By the way... Did you see that report on the Today show? I didn't, but our local news mentioned the study. Can you believe??? I also get a health report from Dr. Mercola. He's definitely not a main stream kind of medical professional. Most recently: "In May 2007, it was reported that over 1,600 adverse reactions, including three deaths, had been linked to Gardasil, Merck’s new vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). Among those reactions, 371 were classified as serious, and, of the 42 women who received the vaccine while pregnant, 18 experienced side effects including spontaneous abortion and fetal abnormalities. It appears those reactions, and deaths, are steadily rising. A review of the National Vaccine Information Center revealed the following statistic about this vaccine: 2,207 adverse reactions to Gardasil have been reported. Among them: 5 girls died 31 were considered life-threatening 1,385 required a visit to the emergency room 451 of the girls have not recovered as of July 2007 51 of the girls were disabled" http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/24/gardasil-reactions... You know what my pastor called me yesterday? A rebel. Can you imagine? Guess I'm a rebel for Jesus...and that's gotta be a good thing. |
| Oh heck, let's just concentrate on the good, shall we? So what would that be??? Well, my pastor said today that he and the prayer warriors at church are praying for a quick Social Seciruty ruling in my favor. He also said that he's claiming the fact that I'll feel so much better once that is over and done with and I'll be able do some more volunteering at church. I have a new project, which, thankfully doesn't have to be finished until November. Descriptions - like "job" descriptions - for the volunteer opportunities in the church. Could be quite a project.And he said that he's praying that I can become a paid staff member at church at some point in the future. Well, that made me feel good. Right now, there's no money in the church budget for additional staff and I'm not much good about even getting in for a few hours a week. So...y'all start praying on these things too, ya hear? In case you noticed that, although I am trying to blog each day, I'm not really spending lots of time reading and rating...well, I've been exploring somewhere else. In case you're curious: http://www.gather.com/inviteLanding.jsp?parentMemberId=223207&tc=14 |
| Nope. No trash here. Just needed a blog entry title that was new and different. So, let's see...How about a few quotes. From my notes. From today? No way. Yesterday. Hey, hey. Okay... I'll stop. With the rhymes anyway. Oops. "Never permit a dichotomy to rule your life, a dichotomy in which you hate what you do so you can have pleasure in your spare time. Look for a situation in which your work will give you as much happiness as your spare time." - Edward L. Bernays Hmmm. Perhaps that's why people start writing, at least writing with the intention to share and sell it. We humans want to have meaningful work that we enjoy. A pastor put sanitary hot air hand dryers in the rest rooms at his church – but after two weeks requested they be taken out. When asked why he confessed that they worked fine but when he went in there he saw a sign that read, "For a sample of this week's sermon, push the button." “Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.” -- Gail Sheehy from Passages Oh, think about that one. "Growth demands a temporary surrender of security." Wow. No wonder people just moan about life rather than doing something about it. Growing and changing means that we have to step out of that comfort zone that every motivational speaker mentions when they try to get us, well...motivated. While we ponder that one, maybe we need Gloria Estefan's song, "Get On Your Feet" playing in the background. Don't know that one? "Get on your feet. Get up and make it happen. Get on your feet. Stand up and take some action." “Creativity, when not used, turns to depression.” -- Joey Reiman -- from Thinking For A Living I never thought about it that way, but I think this is a pretty wise thought. Don't you get a bit down in the dumps when you're not being creative. I think writers experience that...when they're complaining about writer's block. The longer the block, the more we're feeling blue. Here's something different. This link will take you to a YouTube video about health care problems. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPI7zdGdqo4 |
| I heard today that a Yale survey showed that anger in men is rewarded in the work place - by promotions and pay raises. Do you think that anger in women is seen in a positive light? Of course not. Anger in women is penalized in the work place. Women who exhibit anger are thought to be out of control. Women who exhibit anger will not get promotions and pay raises. Figures, doesn't it? So...my entry yesterday must have made someone mad. I'm like everyone else. I don't mind a less than perfect rating if the individual doing the rating can explain why my writing is less than perfect. I do mind if our opinions are different and I'm being punished for that. But, I understand, even so...and don't get upset about that either - if the rater will 'fess up.What infuriates me - as I'm sure it does you - is when a coward pops in and gives a low rating as a "drive by" without commenting or reviewing or letting you know who you've offended. Up until yesterday, this crazy blog had mostly 5s, 4.5s and 4s. There was one 3.5 that was given by a newbie who thought my "book" was written well but really confusing and changed topics waaaaaaaaay too much. When I explained that this isn't a book, but a blog, said newbie said, "Ooops. My bad." But he/she didn't change the 3.5. But in the wee hours of the morning, someone came by and gave my blog a 2. Like I said, if that's what the rater thought, then that's okay with me...if he/she would just drop by and tell me what I could do to improve. I figure, since it was done anonymously, that it's someone who just didn't like yesterday's entry. Figures, doesn't it? |
| You know, something has been bothering me. Back when all the drama was going on and allegations were made about a certain member not actually being sick, some things were said that have me bothered. A few people have made comments since then, too. If you feel that you have been wronged, mistreated, harassed or otherwise unjustly bothered by someone with a blue or purple case, would you drop me a line? Or if you reported another member (any case color) for harassment and the issue has not been resolved, drop me a line as well. A few people mentioned not knowing which moderators they could trust because they don't know if they're in a clique. I'm not, and I've always had a heart for newbies. Some of you can attest to that, since I was among the first to welcome you to the site. I thought about putting up a survey, but that would probably get way too much attention. I thought if I quietly offered my support, you could just pass the word. I cannot promise that I can help anyone, but I will listen. It may be that you don't understand the workings of the site or the what the position of moderator can and cannot do. But if you have truly been unjustly wronged, I will do what I can to help. It may not be much, mind you. Since...I'm not in any cliques. |
| What a fast food world we live in. Where did that thought originate? Well... On one of the free content sites where you can find some of my writings, there are numerous articles about how to write good free content. These sites are used mostly by people advertising an idea or service, because their real product and/or service web sites can be listed in the article. It's free advertising for them. The articles, then, are used by newsletter editors who can use the articles for free, and those links to the web sites that are selling something tag along every time the article is used. Get it? Anyway...about those "how-to" articles... Time and again, they advise that the best way to write one of these articles is to list "10 ways to do such and such" or "The 5 best so-and-so's". People want sound bites for their news and small lists to read instead of real articles. That's the world where we live. Those same kinds of articles are popping up everywhere. Just pick up any woman's magazine today and you'll see right on the front cover, "5 Quick Meals", "7 Best Decorating Ideas", etc. You know what that means to us as writers? We have to learn to think that way, in small chunks and in lists. I wonder if I'm just too old to think that way.  I always hated making outlines, and lists were something you used for two things - chores "to-do" or groceries.Crossing off items from your list - to-do or grocery - made you feel like you had accomplished something. Every time I read an article that is not much more than a list of items, I'm tempted to take out my pen and cross out the items as I read them. That confuses the heck out of my brain, I think, because I'm also one who never wants to write in (or deface) a book or magazine.  Grrr. I have always embraced change - when it makes sense or when it enhances life or the world around us. I'm just not sure that reducing every complex thought to a few items on a list is good for us. Must we have a fast food mentality about everything??????********* These are a few of the web sites I visited yesterday about high cholesterol. Just needed a place to tuck them away. I am going to go to the library today or tomorrow to see what books I can find about this topic. It seems that the only medical studies being published are those that agree with the taking of Statin drugs. Others are being ignored, but I'm not sure that means they're all bunk. It could just mean that the drug companies are in charge, as many suggest. http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm http://www.healthmyths.net/cart/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16143&categor... Another link to keep and read again later. http://www.newswithviews.com/Ellison/shane28.htm |
| Two things today... Who should I (we) believe????? Remember the arguments I had with the nurse at my doctor's office? I was reminded of that this afternoon and started searching the Internet for information about high cholesterol and prescription drugs. What I found just was not pretty. There are hundreds of books - at Amazon.com and other sites - that claim that high cholesterol does not cause heart disease. I would love to buy one or two of the books I discovered, but my plan is to visit the library on Monday to see what I can discover there. Meanwhile, if you're curious, just go to Amazon and search for yourselves. I am certainly aware of how "easy" it is in today's world to write a bunch of words and have them published. So, I will be cautious in believing everything I read. However...Why should I believe what the doctor is saying...if she's been fed bad information from pharmaceutical companies? Hmmm. Sadly, I am more apt to believe anything that goes against what the drug companies claim. He had a dream (well, nightmare?) My son told us about what he called a nightmare he had a few weeks ago. It was the night here a few weeks back when the power went out. Most likely - although none of us can attest to this - there were probably "boom-booms" and streaks of light in the sky that night too. We all slept through it. Well, until...Derek had quite a dream. When he first woke up, he remembered the whole thing and wanted to wake me. But he didn't. And, now, of course, that he remembered to share what he did remember, it wasn't much. What is still left in his memory banks (where he can easily access it, anyway) is that there was an old woman in the room with him. Her back was away from him. And she was telling him in a raspy voice, "Pray for your children. Pray for yourself. Pray for your children. Pray for yourself." He finally made his way across the room and was able to see the woman's face. That scared him. He said her eyes were white. (I asked it they might be like the eyes of the zombie type people who were in The Omega Man with Charelton Heston back in the 70's.) Her face was scary too, although I'm not sure he can tell why now. As he looked at her face and eyes, she shouted, "Pray for man!" That's when Derek woke up. I wish he had wakened me when this happened, since that's all he remembers now. He got out of bed and all the lights were out. Spooky, huh? He went outside and realized that the entire street was also without power. That's when this thought came to his mind, "I wonder if everyone is gone. I wonder if they've all been raptured." Those of you who are close to me know that Derek struggles with matters of faith. He's not sure what he believes right now. He has quite a history as a young child - shouting "Amen!" in church when he was only 18 months old. Helping the ushers in church welcome people - at the age of 2. Showing new kids how to get to children's church after the children's sermon, then coming back to the adult church service, 'cause "he liked it better." Asking to be baptized at the age of 5 - and having the pastor assure us (after spending about 5 afternoons with him) that Derek knew what it meant and was ready. Writing a "church" song and singing it (while his Dad played piano) and teaching the chorus to the congregation - at the age of 5. Asking to attend confirmation classes at the age of 8, so he could be a full and real member of the United Methodist Church. Asking what job he could have after joining the church, since he had vowed to support the church with his time, his talent and his treasure. As a teen, he urged his youth group members to get involved in the community. Because of Derek, they participated in fixing up houses for the elderly about one weekend every 2-3 months. They cleaned the community food pantry every week in the summer. They went to Houston to feed the hungry, and also to Mexico to help in a food pantry. If they scheduled a fun event (like skiing in Colorado) Derek urged them to do a service project immediately afterwards. But...since he went to work with me every day at the church where I worked as secretary (and we both were members and attended), he learned about what often happens behind the scenes in churches across America. He saw how ugly Christians really can be. How disrespectful to the pastor and staff. How they can disrespect the church building - God's house he was taught - by putting off repairs. And the list goes on. At that age, although he was a bright kid, Derek just could not understand. (Who could?!) He did realize that we're all hypocrites. He understands the concept that none of us are perfect. But he did expect more from a church. He expected to see love and not hate. So? I wonder what faith struggles he's facing now. Interesting dream, don't you think? |
| ...or so I've been told. I was a pretty serious kid, I guess. I watched as the older folks made jokes. Maybe now that I'm one of those older folks, it's just my turn. Whenever someone said, "You're funny!" to my mother, she responded, "And funny looking too." Don't think I'll use that one. I have a question...about bridges or anything else, for that matter. I'm wondering why the officials can make immediate judgments that an event has absolutely nothing to do with terrorism, but then admit that finding the exact reason(s) will take as long as a year. Officials have said this about bridges and planes. Looking at the rubble at the bridge tragedy in Minneapolis, I'm wondering how they can give any kind of information at all until the under side is revealed at the bottom of the wreckage. Yes, they can show what information they have from past inspections. But until they can see what's underneath all that concrete and steel, how can they make absolute judgments? I'm just asking... One day last week, I had either the Science Channel or Discovery Channel on. I wasn't really listening, just keeping something on to keep me company. A show came on about dinosaurs, and while I didn't follow the whole thing, there were some comments made that interested me a bit. For instance, it was said that the dinosaurs ate all the time - and were fat - because they just couldn't get enough nutrients to feel full and nourished. That sounded a bit odd to me. Personally, I always figured God created a perfect world... Perhaps anticipating that kind of thinking from Christians and Jews, the show also said that after a huge flood, the soil became much more fertile, but by then there were no dinosaurs left. Interesting... But that got me to thinking about today. Is it possible that people who are obese and eat way too much (many not wanting to), do so because the foods they eat are not healthy and are lacking needed nutrients? We know lots of foods are just sugars. But, even when a person tries to eat well today, there's the problem of hormones in milk and meat products. We know that farmers don't rotate crops like they used to and the fields are not full of minerals. That's why so many foods have added vitamins and minerals. I don't know the answers. I'm just asking... Looks like we're back to normal with the number of folks stopping by here. During the time that I was writing about something...well contraversial...I had as many as 117 views per day. Yesterday it was back down to 40. Those 37 people who rated my blog are probably my regulars. Some idiot said on the news today that 1) there are hundreds of bridges in the U.S. that are as bad or worse than the one in Minneapolis AND that 2) Americans don't want to pay for the repairs. WHAT?!?! I really don't recall anyone asking me if I would like the bridges fixed so they wouldn't fall in and kill and injure people. I guess if they asked me about resurfacing that they do over and over and over, I'd be pretty vocal about that. I'd ask why in the world we don't use the same materials that were used 40 years ago...when the roads did not need resurfacing every time someone spit on them. I'm sure what they use now is cheaper. But if they have to use it again and again and again, doesn't that increase the cost? Yep, if they asked me about that, I'd have an opinion they probably wouldn't like. But fixing bridges? I'm all for that. Remember...I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. (Lots of bridges!) And I lived in Texas quite a bit. (Just heard today how many bridges there are in Texas and how many are in critical condition. Amazing.) Maybe those guys in Washington, D.C. need to start spending money wisely. If the entire interstate highway system is 40 years old, and most of those bridges are in the same shape as the one in Minneapolis, we're in for some major spending on bridge replacements and repairs. So...maybe we need to stop funding things like...comparing the number of love bugs that hit windshields this year as opposed to last year. Or...if it hurts to stub your toe. And...well, you know...that pork stuff that the feds pay for that should be local expenses, or - heaven forbid - costs of the local folks doing business.  . |
| I thought I had written something about yesterday, but I guess not. After picking up my son from work at 6:45 I came home and called the pastor to let him know I probably wouldn't be volunteering at the church. Then I went back to bed. I guess the pastor called around noon, but I never heard the phone. I woke up about 1:30, then finally forced myself out of bed after 2 pm. I really hate days like that... I added something new to my portfolio today, something I found at another writer's site, something I had completely forgotten about...
Have you seen the August Quotation Inspiration contest? The quotation being used this month is this: "Given the choice between the experience of pain and nothing, I would choose pain." ~ William Faulkner You know...I might just have to think about entering this month.
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