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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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| The Story of a Great Doctor by Marilyn Mackenzie Today, there was a memorial service for a man from our church. He wasn't someone that I - or many of us - knew very well. He took care of the sound board during our worship services. Sometime soon, I'll have to share more about Andy and the memorial service. But I wanted to make sure that I first told the story of a great doctor. Almost two years ago, Andy was diagnosed with end stage 4 cancer of the pancreas. One day he was fine. Then his back hurt badly, and he went to the emergency room, thinking that he might be having an appendicitis attack. They kept him overnight, then told him the next day that what he had was cancer. Andy was fortunate that his cancer didn't take him as quickly as it was predicted. Usually, stage 4 pancreatic cancer takes the patient in 2-4 months. Luckily for all of us - and for his family, since he has a 10 year old son - he survived for almost two years. During that time, he had treatments. And he was a member of a support group, termed a Wellness Group. I love that the support group for cancer patients and survivors is called a Wellness Group. That alone offers hope to those needing it most. In such groups, people like Andy who know that eventually they will die of their disease, often make up their own "Bucket List" (things to do before they kick the bucket). On Andy's list was "driving a convertible." When Andy's doctor found out that was one of the things he wanted to do before he died, the doctor handed Andy the keys to his car - a Mercedes convertible with a V12 engine. He told Andy to drive it for as long as he wanted. And Andy did. One of the first outings Andy had was with one of his Wellness Group friends. They drove around in that convertible for 3 hours. (And later that friend told Andy that his trip to Florida was not as much fun as that 3 hour ride had been.) Today, that convertible still sits at Andy's house. He's gone now, so someone will need to make sure that the good doctor gets his car back. Andy had that car for many months, enjoying the last months of his life. I wish the doctor had been at the service today. Perhaps he was and just didn't speak up when the pastor talked about how great it was that he allowed Andy to cross off one of the things on his "Bucket List." Makes you cry, doesn't it? The world lost a good man this week. But God welcomed him home. And for the months preceding his death, he happily tooted around town in a gas guzzling Mercedes convertible, letting the wind blow through his patchy (from cancer treatments) hair. And, surely, driving that car was one reason that Andy hung around as long as he did. Who wouldn't, when given the opportunity to drive the car of his dreams? Thanks, doc. You are a true healer. We need more like you. ********************************* To my friends who are prayer warriors: Obviously, Andy's wife and 10 year old son will need our prayers. They're happy knowing that they will meet Andy one day in Heaven. But, still, losing a father at that young age will be difficult. Pray, too, for the Wellness Group friend who drove around with Andy for those 3 hours and had such fun. He, too, is having his cancer problems reappear. His name is Jim. And don't forget to celebrate that awesome doctor who handed the keys to his car to Andy to drive for many months. I don't know his name, but I'm sure God does.   "My Favorite Neighbor"  "Sharing Sunshine...It's What I Do!" "Admirable Women" "Whose Work Are You Stealing?" "The Potter's Cup and Saucer" |
| Two Liberal Myths By Marilyn Mackenzie There are two liberal myths (or lies – take your pick about which you prefer) that drive me crazy every time I hear them. Liberals have learned that the more repeat a myth (or lie), the more you’ll believe it and the better the chance that others around you will believe it as well. These are the two myths/lies that bother me the most. 1) Clinton left Bush with a surplus. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! You can find the numbers at the U.S. Treasury web site. Clinton was President from 1993 to 2001. Fiscal Year Year Ending National Debt Deficit FY1993 09/30/1993 $4.411488 trillion FY1994 09/30/1994 $4.692749 trillion $281.26 billion FY1995 09/29/1995 $4.973982 trillion $281.23 billion FY1996 09/30/1996 $5.224810 trillion $250.83 billion FY1997 09/30/1997 $5.413146 trillion $188.34 billion FY1998 09/30/1998 $5.526193 trillion $113.05 billion FY1999 09/30/1999 $5.656270 trillion $130.08 billion FY2000 09/29/2000 $5.674178 trillion $17.91 billion FY2001 09/28/2001 $5.807463 trillion $133.29 billion Here are some of the web sites which explain what happened to the economy during the Clinton years. http://media.www.sbstatesman.com/media/storage/paper955/news/2008/11/24/Opinion/... The Clinton Surplus Myth This writer assumes that liberals don’t understand economics and that’s why they continue to perpetuate the myth that Clinton left a surplus. I’m not so sure about that assumption. Even if some do not understand, I think that most liberal Democrat politicians know that there was no surplus and choose to continue to pretend there was to fool the public. http://www.craigsteiner.us/articles/16 The Myth of the Clinton Surplus This writer that ever since he posted his document, people have said that the CBO numbers differ with what he posted. Here is some of what he says about that, “We can discuss the meaning of the different columns of the CBO documents and what they do and don't include, and we can argue about the accounting tricks that the federal government uses for political reasons. But the fact remains that the Bureau of the Public Debt is responsible for the daily reporting of the total national debt. Regardless of how politicians play with the budget numbers, the current national debt reported by the Bureau of the Public Debt is what we owe. If, at the end of each year, we owe more than we did the previous year, politicians can call it a surplus until the cows come home--but the fact remains that we owed more money than we did the previous year. Playing accounting and political games to call it a "surplus" doesn't change the fact that we're even more in debt than we were the year before. During the Clinton years, the total national debt increased every year. Only in Washington D.C. would that somehow be considered a "surplus." http://www.theneweditor.com/index.php?/archives/3063-The-5-Trillion-Surplus-The-... The Myth That Refuses to Die The claims that we had erased the federal debt and had gone on to a surplus were based on long-range projections that were totally inaccurate, and had never been realized. Why then do the Dems continue to repeat this myth? There are many other sites that debunk the myth of the Clinton surplus. It is a myth or a lie, whichever you choose. Or, more simply, and without having to choose whether people are misinformed or choosing to perpetuate a lie, IT’S JUST NOT TRUE. 2) Bush only gave tax relief to the rich. Again, this is something that the liberals say over and over and over. AND IT ALSO IS NOT TRUE!!! Everyone received benefits and tax relief under George W. Bush, and those benefits will not be carried on by President Obama. Obama told us that he would let these tax benefits expire during his administration. He also told us that he would not raise taxes on anyone making under $200,000 (although it was first $250,000). I suppose that’s sort of true. HE isn’t raising taxes. He’s just letting them get higher by letting the benefits expire. (To me, that’s like him raising taxes, but I can see where he wouldn’t want to admit that.) Here are some of the benefits that everyone received under Bush. http://www.heritage.org/Research/Taxes/wm486.cfm When Would the President’s Tax Cuts Expire? This article was posted during Bush’s administration and explains the tax cuts that he proposed and Congress approved in 2001 and 2005. Some of them expired already this year – taxes on capital gains and on dividends. The others are set to expire on January 1, 2011. These are the tax benefits about which everyone seems to forget. Child Credit: It is now $700 per child and it will revert to the old number of $500 per child on January 1, 2011. This affects all Americans with children, not just those in upper incomes. Income Tax Rates: All brackets will increase between 3 and 4.5 percentage points in each bracket on January 1, 2011, unless Obama extends this tax relief. He has said he would not extend the tax benefits of Bush, so we must assume that all income taxes will rise. The 10 Percent Tax Bracket: This bracket will be eliminated on January 1, 2011, raising the income tax burden by 5 percentage points. The 15 Percent Bracket for Joint Filers: On January 1, 2011, the upper limit of this bracket will change from 100 to 167 percent of the upper limit bracket for single filers, meaning that the marriage penalty will be put back into place. (Remember? Bush fixed that marriage penalty!) Standard Deduction for Joint Filers: On January 1, 2011, this will also change from 200 to 167 percent of the standard deduction for single filers, putting that marriage penalty back into place. (How could people forget that it was Bush who gave us this break?) Estate Tax: The top rate of estate taxes will increase to 60 percent on January 1, 2011. Also, the value of an estate exempt from taxation will shrink to $1 million. Here, people think, “Great. Stick it to the rich guys.” But people don’t realize that every day folks can have to pay this. Sometimes poor folks are the recipients of a rich relative’s estate. Also, it’s not that difficult to have a $1 million estate. That could include two $250,000 life insurance policies, a $350,000 home and $100,000 in other assets. Still, this is not an increase that most will or should worry over. http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/summers_bush_tax_cuts/2009/01/25/175083.html Bush Tax Cuts Won’t Be Extended This article – an interview with Lawrence H. Summers – seems to be saying that the tax cuts won’t even make it to January 1, 2011 but will be repealed earlier than that. http://americaswatchtower.com/2009/02/23/obamas-backdoor-tax-increase-letting-th... Obama’s Backdoor Tax Increase (Letting the Bush Tax Cuts Expire) This article points out that the ones who will really be hurt on this are those now in the 10% bracket, which will disappear. The article says, “The people in the lowest tax bracket will have their taxes increased by five percent. The largest increase of all tax brackets. Yet it is Obama who claims that he is a man of the people. He claims that it is he who will protect middle class Americans. The great lie about the Bush tax cuts has been repeated so often that now people believe it is true. People believe that only the rich got tax cuts under the former president. Every American got tax relief in the Bush tax cuts and when Obama lets those cuts expire it will amount to a backdoor tax on all Americans. And the hardest hit will be the people who can least afford it.” There you have it folks. Two myths or lies that get told over and over again by liberal Democrats. They are not true. Clinton DID NOT leave a surplus and Bush DID give tax relief to all Americans. I don’t expect any liberal Democrats to remember these things. But if you’re an Independent, a conservative, or a Republican, please make a note of this article so you can send people who perpetuate to this article and the links within.  "My Favorite Neighbor" "Sharing Sunshine...It's What I Do!" "Admirable Women" "Whose Work Are You Stealing?" "The Potter's Cup and Saucer" |
| Click here for a list of Christian relief organizations in Haiti that have been vetted by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. http://www.ecfa.org/ServantMatch.aspx?Type=Haiti As the current and past presidents have reminded us, it's important to know the organization to which you give or know that someone has done research on them. From the ECFA web site: ECFA is an accreditation agency dedicated to helping Christian ministries earn the public’s trust through adherence to Seven Standards of Responsible StewardshipTM. Founded in 1979, ECFA provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, fund-raising and board governance. Members include Christian ministries, denominations, churches, educational institutions and other tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. Collectively, these organizations represent more than $18 billion in annual revenue. ECFA’s Seven Standards of Responsible StewardshipTM focus on board governance, financial transparency, integrity in fund-raising, and proper use of charity resources. For more information on ECFA or to find a Christian relief organization, click the link at the top of the page. **************************** So many of our Christian brothers and sisters have died or are missing in Haiti because that's one place that Christians in the US go to do mission work. I just learned today that the top executive of UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) died before rescuers could free him from the wreckage of the Hotel Montana. Reports had first said he was pulled out alive, but now eyewitnesses are saying otherwise. Rev. Clinton Rabb was also trapped with Dixon, but he is said to be in critical condition in a hospital in Florida. Four others who were there as part of the group - Rev. James Gulley, Sarla Chand, Rick Santos and Ann Varghse have already returned to their homes. Another group, the Convoy of Hope, feeds 7,000 children every day in Haiti. They had just restocked their warehouse there. And, as Jeff Nene, Convoy of Hope's senior director of communications and technology said, "Some people may call this a coincidence," Nene continues, "we call it Holy Spirit intervention." In the background, Fox News just talked about two stories coming up. One is about the miraculous story of the woman who was saved after being buried in rubble for days. The other story is about an orphanage where the children are in desperate need of food and water and no help has yet arrived. What a horrible tragedy happened at Haiti. Let us hope and pray that the officials there will finally establish some building codes and that those who are going to help them re-build will be able to put up buildings that will not be crumbled so easily.  "My Favorite Neighbor" "Sharing Sunshine...It's What I Do!" "Admirable Women" "Whose Work Are You Stealing?" "The Potter's Cup and Saucer" |
| As I was searching for a particular video at YouTube, I came across this video. It's one that everyone should watch, I think. Wanted: God's Character, is 12:43 minutes long, so be sure you're ready to spend that much time watching it. Then, kick back and enjoy. The blurb at YouTube says: An old man mourning the loss of his wife finds part time employment as a gardener for a church. Harassed by a group of kids, his attitude of unconditional forgiveness wins over the heart of one of the kids and transforms his life . Oh, if we all had this much unconditional love and forgiveness in our hearts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mfkfk1PMyU |
| Here's what I wrote today: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977969010 |
| I saw this yesterday: "Members of congress should have to do like Nascar - put the names of their sponsors on their clothes." -Robin Williams I like that idea. At another forum, the question was raised about whether or not we would be surprised. No, we probably would not be surprised. But having the information out in the open all the time might help. Plus...there might be those who would stop taking money. Something I posted at Gather.com yesterday: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954894 |
Feel free to comment and add your own thoughts about growing old. You know you're getting old when... Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face. Hmmm. Wonder if that really works. Your back goes out more than you do. You wake up, looking like your driver's license picture. It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired. The pharmacist has become you new best friend. You're suffering from Mallzheimer's disease. You go to the mall and forget where you parked your car. I don't think you have to be old for this one. In fact, I think there are mall gremlins who move cars around in the lots. Have you ever seen how many people wander around saying, "Here car, here car." That's why they invented those car finder thingies that come with new cars. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac. Things you buy now won't wear out. You light the candles on your birthday cake, and a group of campers form a circle and start singing "Kumbaya." I love this one...except that I don't know anyone who sings Kumbaya anymore. I asked some kids about that a few years ago - teens who had been to camp - and they thought I had gone nuts. Your new easy chair has more options than your car. You find yourself beginning to like accordion music. This made me giggle. When I married my first husband - you know, the abuser - our only music at the reception was an accordion player. He was actually pretty good. Played both old classics our parents wanted to hear and many of the newer things. And of course, the Pennsylvania Polka and lots of other polkas. Back then, we listened to Lawrence Welk, for pity's sake. Of course we listened to accordions. And every year at the county fair, there were students showing us how easy it was to play and accordion music instructors trying to recruit new students. You begin every other sentence with, "Nowadays..." Or with, "back in the day" or"when I was a kid" or... Your childhood toys are now in a museum.  The car that you bought brand new becomes an antique. You know... When my sister was married back in September, hubby and I wandered through a car show. (We had no choice, since it was blocking the street in front of our hotel for 2 days.) How surprising it was to see an 86 and 89 Monte Carlo. Then I got to thinking....my 1992 Chevy Cavalier isn't too far from becoming a classic herself. You sing along with the elevator music.Nah. Never. Well...maybe if it's something from the Beatles. I heard "Hey Jude" in the elevator one day. Sure was glad I was alone.Neighbors borrow your tools. People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?" And they might have? You have a dream about prunes. You send money to PBS. You get into a heated argument about pension plans. You got cable for the weather channel. You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it. This one got to me too. I feel sooooooooooooooooo old when the neighbors around us party until 2 a.m. and it keeps me awake. Why don't I join them? For one thing, I was never asked. For another, by then they are pretty drunk. And when you're the only sober person at a party, it's not fun. That doesn't mean I don't take a drink now and then. But getting drunk? Nah. I already have enough problems with pains and nausea. And I take enough medications that it looks like a pharmacy at our house. If I want to drink, I have to plan in advance to not take meds. But, yes, if we threw a party, our neighbors would definitely not realize it...since, to them, parties are LOUD. Everything that works hurts, and what doesn't hurt doesn't work. Your mind makes contracts your body can't keep. You know all the answers, but nobody asks the questions. You don't remember being absent minded. You get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster. "My Favorite Neighbor" "Sharing Sunshine...It's What I Do!" "Admirable Women" "Whose Work Are You Stealing?" "The Potter's Cup and Saucer" |
| I'm not sure how I missed this one, since it was reported in 2008. http://oddee.com/item_92594.aspx 15 Craziest Personal Names</a> Top on the list is a guy who changed his name to all of the James Bond movie titles. His name is now James Dr. No From Russia With Love Goldfinger Thunderball You Only Live Twice On Her Majesty's Secret Service Diamonds Are Forever Live And Let Die The Man With The Golden Gun The Spy Who Loved Me Moonraker For Your Eyes Only Octopussy A View To A Kill The Living Daylights Licence To Kill Golden Eye Tomorrow Never Dies The World Is Not Enough Die Another Day Casino Royale Bond. I wonder how he signs his name. Then there were the parents who tried to name their child Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 (pronounced "albin"). Next on the list is: John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood Then: Thursday October Christian I wish I still had the list of names that my ex tried to name our son. There were 15 or 16 names we loved, and my ex wanted to name him all of them. He arranged them so that they sounded poetic. For the life of me, I cannot remember most of them, but they ended with Wade Bruce John Scott Mackenzie Wilkerson. Thank goodness, when the clerk came to the hospital room asking me what name to put on our son's birth certificate, his dad was not in the room. To appease him, I did give him a first name, three middle names, and his last name. I told him that's all the birth certificate had room for, which was not really a lie. That was all that could fit on the form I filled out. Of course, a few years ago, there was a family on the Oprah Show (I think it was on Oprah...pretty sure) that named their child 26 names - one for each letter of the alphabet. And don't you know that my ex called to remind me that it was my fault that our son didn't get his proper name. ************************ Right Brainers Rule! And in October, we celebrate that. Hooray! At this web site http://www.leesilber.com/HTML/Free_Right_Brainers.htm Right Brainers Rule Month it says: The goal is to bring awareness that although we may do things differently than most of the world (who are left-brain dominant) we are highly creative, exceptionally innovative and wonderful just the way we are. Sadly, right-brainers are often ridiculed and reprimanded for their unorthodox ways of doing things. The month of October is a chance to show how the right-brained person can survive and thrive in a very left-brained world. Click around on that site and you'll discover a way to get a free PDF file -Day Planners for Right Brainers. This site http://rightbrainorganizing.blogspot.com/2008/10/celebrate-right-brainers-rule-m... Celebrate Right Brainers Rule Month shows some ways to celebrate. One is, "write a song about how great it is to be RIGHT all the time." Be sure to check this out: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22492511-5005375,00.html The Right Brain vs The Left Brain Test Supposedly, people who are right brain dominant see the dancer dancing clockwise and left brain dominant people see the dancer dancing counter-clockwise. I definitely see her going clockwise. That site also reminds us of some right brain functions: uses feeling "big picture" oriented imagination rules symbols and images present and future philosophy & religion can "get it" (i.e. meaning) believes appreciates spatial perception knows object function presents possibilities impetuous risk taking Here's a book that lefties might want to read. Why right Brainers Will Rule The Future The author, Daniel Pink, says that "We are rapidly moving from an economy and culture built on the logical, linear, computer-like capabilities of the Information Age to one built on the creative, empathic, big-picture capabilities of what’s rising in its place: the Conceptual Age." And, "The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind—computer programmers who could crank out code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who would crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind—creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers. As we transition from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age, these people—artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers—will now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys." If you're not sure if you're right brained or left brained, here's a test: http://web-us.com/brain/braindominance.htm Hemispheric Dominance Inventory Test For me, of the 18 questions, 15 of them indicated right brain dominance and 3 indicated left brain dominance. I think that's because, while I do write and eat with my left hand, I had to learn to adapt to the right-handed world, and I most other things with my right hand. Interesting stuff, huh? Now check out how many have been left-handed presidents. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?grpId=3659174697250511&articleId=281474...  "My Favorite Neighbor" "Sharing Sunshine...It's What I Do!" "Admirable Women" "Whose Work Are You Stealing?" "The Potter's Cup and Saucer" |
| Check out this video, then come back and read. Please? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjSnE0VzBYg&feature=player_embedded Way back when I was a kid, my grandmother was the one who told me about the importance of tithing. But she told me that it wasn't just money that we should gladly give to Jesus, but our time and our talents as well. As far as she was concerned, if we were awake for 16 hours a day, then we should gladly give the Lord 1.6 hours. (She did say think that if one could not give the full 1.6 hours each day, that serving and worshiping Him for 4+ hours on Sunday - between private Bible reading and prayer time and Sunday school and worship time - helped even the scales.) Many people say that they don't attend or belong to a church for many reasons. Some have been hurt by "organized religion". Some think churches beg for money too much. (Actually, most are trying to get their members to realize the blessings that come from cheerfully giving the tithe. I have never met anyone who has been sorry that he/she tithed.) But what I've wondered of those individuals who claim whatever reasons for not attending or belonging to a church are... Have you studied the parts of the Bible about the Gifts of the Spirit? Each one of us has a gift or gift mix that is supposed to be used for the glory of God. If you're not using your gifts, are you stealing from Jesus? I'm convinced that the reason we have so many kinds of churches is that we are unique and different people. We're also in different places in our spiritual journey, a personal journey that doesn't really mirror the journey of anyone else, and at other times in our lives we need seeker churches or churches more inclined to serve up meat than milk. It's great if we can find a church that meets our needs from the time we've accepted the Lord onward, but that is not always the case. Then again..rather than church hopping or staying home, were we supposed to help the church learn how to change and grow? That's one of my other thoughts. We're all supposed to be a part of the Body of Christ. What if the church where you're supposed to attend needs and "eye" and you're the only "eye" available? Are you cheating the church and the Lord by staying home? Or what if you have the gift of discernment and the church needs that? Are you cheating yourself out of the awesome experience that comes from serving the Lord in the way he designed? Are you cheating the Lord out of your service? Are you cheating the church out of your help? I sang in the kids' choir as a kid, then in the intermediate (teen girs' choir) and finally in the adult choir - because I had a good singing voice and could read music. I taught my first Sunday school class when I was in high school - a wild group of 9-11 year old boys - because there were no adults stepping up to take on the job and I felt the Lord urging me to do so. The Bible doesn't say anything about Christians being able to stop working for Him. It doesn't say anywhere that we're allowed to retire from serving Him. In fact, the Bible gives us many examples of how God used people in their later years. Why should we be any different? When I lived in Texas, I met a wonderful woman who showed that God can use people into their senior years. Helen was a real prayer warrior. She's the only person I've ever met who could sincerely say - and mean it - that she prayed about four hours each and every day. When she was young and had children, she woke up much earlier than her spouse and kids so she could pray for them before they awoke. She prayed during the day, and she prayed at night. That was her gift to the Lord and to the world around her. She was over 80 when I met her and still praying for hours each day. Perhaps she couldn't kneel anymore, but that didn't matter. I helped her make up prayer calendars for everyone to have that listed a few members' names on each day of the calendar year so that we could all be praying for specific members at the same time. We had about 600 members and about 75 other regular attendees, so we put 2 names per day on the calendar. We also listed birthdays and anniversaries on that calendar. And for the days toward the end of the year that had no specific names on them, we suggested praying for church staff and community and US and world leaders. Even when Helen got to the point that she could not make it to church each Sunday, her prayer ministry continued. She prayed for a good 30 minutes or more about each individual on the calendar for the day. Then she wrote a short note or letter to each person for whom she prayed and sent it to him/her. What a blessing it was to get those cards and letters from Helen, and knowing that someone was definitely praying for you! Helen also wrote down many of her prayers and had done so for over 50 years. Her basement held trunks of her prayer diaries. What a legacy she was leaving for her family. From those prayer journals, the family could look back and see what was happening in her life, in their lives, and in the world around them. Not every ministry, not every task for Jesus, has to be a difficult one. In fact, if we're finding one of our Jesus tasks to be too difficult, it might not be the one He would have us do. When you're working for Jesus and using the gifts and talents that God provided for you, it can still be tiring. But it's a satisfying exhaustion, not a frustrating one. As we head into Fall, with a time of beautiful colors, perhaps it's time to ask God what we should be doing for Him. At Christmas and at Easter, more unbelievers come to know Jesus than at any other time. Shouldn't all believers want to be in a church at that time, so they can greet the people who are afraid and shy and wondering what being a Christian and attending and belonging to a church is all about? ********************** This is the only place in the Bible, I believe, where God asks us to test Him. Yes, there are those who will tell you that the tithe is mentioned in the Old Testament. But as I've said before, I have never known anyone who tithes and says they are sorry they've done so. Malachi 3:10 NIV Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. We are supposed to be in fellowship with one another, to study together, to pray together, and to keep each other accountable. We're supposed to find our strength from God and from each other. Hebrews 10:25 TLB Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. And each of us are given spiritual gifts to use to His glory. Are you using the spiritual gifts and the natural talents God provided for you? Are you using them to advance His kingdom, to reach out to others in love? 1 Corinthians 12:4-13:1 NIV There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. "My Favorite Neighbor" "Sharing Sunshine...It's What I Do!" "Admirable Women" "Whose Work Are You Stealing?" "The Potter's Cup and Saucer" |
| I don't spend much time here anymore - with my chronic illness and needing to earn some money online. So, I just noticed that Lifewriter is now "invalid". Anyone know what happened? |
| I found another networking site. It's free and some say a bit complicated. But if you figure out how to navigate it, you can use it to link back to your portfolio here or to specific articles or poems as a way to find new people to read your work. (You also might end up with referrals that way.) The cool thing is that you get points for everything - posting, commenting, sharing links - and at the end of the day, those points turn into the number of entries you have for a drawing for $50. At the end of each week, there is a $150 drawing. And at the end of the month there is a $400 drawing. Meanwhile, you also get money (mostly pennies) for having others notice your posts there. If you're featured, you get more. For one picture I posted, I got over $5. And once you have $25, you can take that money out of your account. I figure that I can use whatever money I get there to help keep up my membership here. Of course it would be really cool if I won the $50, $150 or $400. Two of my friends have gotten $50 winnings and one got $150, so they do give it out. Here's the link: http://www.redgage.com/?refby=kenzie4k5230 |
| Someone sent an email to me asking if I ever write anything new - here or elsewhere. My response was yes...and no. I used to write - sometimes dozens - of articles each and every day. Some I put on the internet at places like here, others I submitted to publications and I did get published. The most I ever made from a story or article was $500; the least was $10. But once my fibro fog hit (as part of fibromyalgia), I found myself less and less able to write in that same way. Sometimes I can write now, but I cannot meet deadlines. I still make notes in my notebook and in my online notebook, but most of those notes go unattended and unwritten anywhere. Here's a list of what I have shared most recently at my other hangout. A Reason To Have a Land Line http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977725529 Christians...Do You Know Your Neighborhood? http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977725512 Daily Whine & Shine - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977725462 And Still Another Death - Fred Travalena - Master of Impersonations of the Stars http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977725038 Daily Whine & Shine - Monday, June 29, 2009 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977724771 I Want To Speak To A Human! http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977723903 Former GITMO Detainee Accused of Killing 3 Missionaries http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977723721 Pelosi at Work Again - The Cap & Trade Bill http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977723402 Probe Of ACORN Stopped By 'The Powers That Be' http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977723286 The President and Fox News http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977723249 Check It Out! A Chance To Win $1000 Grocery Card http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977723149 Giggle, Giggle, What's In A Name? http://www.gather.com/viewPostsByMember.action?memberId=223207 More About Michael's Music http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977721861 Don't Let the Democrats Tax Your Lights Out http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977721750 What Was Your Favorite? http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977721670 "My Favorite Neighbor" "Sharing Sunshine...It's What I Do!" "Admirable Women" "Whose Work Are You Stealing?" "The Potter's Cup and Saucer" |
| Someone asked the other day how they could keep track of me if I forget to update my blog here. Here's one way: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977713979 |
I pulled into the parking lot at Walgreens and parked my car. As I got out, I could see that there was some change on the ground on the sidewalk in front of my car. I looked around to see if there was anyone walking on the sidewalk who might have dropped some change. Not seeing anyone, I reached down and put the 12 pennies in my pocket. Then I went inside. As I made my way to my car after picking up a few things, I looked down and was surprised to see some more change on the sidewalk at almost the same place where the pennies had been. Was this some kind of trick? Was there a "Candid Camera" crew nearby? Not that I could see. I reached down and picked up the change. This time there was one quarter, two dimes and three nickels. That's 60 cents! My trip to the store had netted 72 cents. Again, I looked around to see if there might be someone missing some change. As I did, a young man of about 14 stepped out from behind a truck and said, "May I have my change back?" "So this is yours?" "Yes, may I have it back?" "Of course. Were the pennies yours as well?" "Yes, ma'am." I reached into my pocket and brought out the 72 cents to give to the young man. He took it then tried to give me a $5 bill. "What is this?" I inquired. "It was a school experiment, ma'am. Please keep the $5. I was supposed to give a $5 bill to anyone who picked up the change. I have a pocket full of change and of $5 bills. I have been here for 3 hours and you're the first one who reached down to pick up the change." The young man insisted that I keep the $5 bill, so I did. As I walked away, though, I thought that I would love to be a part of that young man's school class when they discuss all of the people who walked by and did not pick up the lost change. I know that when my son and I lived in Texas, the tweens and teens always dumped their pennies on the ground as they came out of stores. It's what they did. Obviously, they would not have been caught dead picking up pennies. But because they regularly threw them out outside stores and fast food joints, the poor and homeless could usually be seen there after the stores and restaurants closed. They were not too proud to pick up change. Some people may still think that pennies are not worth stooping to pick up. But I have always picked up loose change that I find. I don't believe my son ever participated in the ritual of throwing away pennies. He knew that I kept them in a jar and often times when we had were struggling until the next pay check those pennies put a few gallons of gas in our car or a loaf of bread in our breadbox. Today, we're told that the economy is so bad that everyone is struggling. Still, the young man said that 22 people - of varying ages and of varying appearances of wealth (based soley on the types of cars they drove, since he was not cognizant of clothing brands or styles) did not pick up the change. I wonder how many people didn't even look down and see the money. And if they did, I wonder what they thought of there being change on the ground. And, I wonder why no one else bothered to pick it up. Would you have picked up the change? |
| May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month and May 12 is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Someone you know probably has fibromyalgia, even if she (or he, but it mostly hits females) has not yet been diagnosed. For years, fibro sufferers were left to doubt themselves as doctors struggled to understand and diagnose the disease. What a difficult task that was, since fibromyalgia symptoms can change by the hour! Fibromyalgia sufferers make up as much as 4% of the entire population! According to the National Foundation for Fibromyalgia, as many as 12 million Americans suffer from FM but remain undiagnosed. While fibromyalgia is most common in women, especially between the ages of 20 and 50, it does affect men, the elderly and children. Kids are often mistakenly diagnosed with growing pains or behavioral problems. And often times, FM is mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome, since the symptoms are similar and the two often go hand-in-hand. Each year around this time, I try to write something to explain at least what I go through with fibromyalgia. Some of what I experience is similar to what others experience. Some of my experiences differ from other fibro patients. Before I get into the symptoms of this malady, perhaps we should discuss what causes fibromyalgia. Researchers are not sure. They think that trauma - emotional and/or physical - can trigger fibromyalgia syndrome, or fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome. (Some choose to link the two syndromes together because they usually are linked and the symptoms mimic each other.) When my fibro started is a mystery to me and to my doctors. I had a back injury in 1997 (possible physical trigger) and I left my husband because he was being abusive to our son (possible emotional trigger). I had two rear-end automobile collisions in the span of three months in the year 2000. In one, I had whiplash (a possible physical trigger) and in the other my car was damaged so much that it took 8 weeks to get it repaired (a possible emotional trigger). I had a knee injury and arthroscopic surgery in 2002 (a possible physical trigger). A year later, my worker's compensation pay was cut off because I had reached "maximum medical improvement", but my doctors would not release me to work because they determined that I was not capable of working (a possible emotional trigger). In 2003, I moved from one Texas town to another, then to northern Michigan, then to central Michigan, then ended up women's abuse shelter for 30 days, then moved in with my elderly parents. My Dad had Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and my Mom, although we didn't know it then, was beginning to show signs of alcohol-induced dementia. (emotional triggers?) Also in 2003, my only son moved in with his girlfriend and her mother in Memphis, TN. (emotional trigger?) Social Security Disability personnel decided that I was not disabled, although Michigan did think I was and paid me $283 per month and $100 in food stamps. The income was not enough to live on my own, obviously. Even renting a room costs more than $283 per month in most parts of the country. And in 2003, I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. In 2005, I married my hubby and moved again - to Ohio. The Michigan disabilty stopped and there is nothing like that in Ohio, and with him working I don't qualify for food stamps. Even with his work provided insurance, our medical bills are quite high. Doctors are forever wanting to do tests about digestive problems or what look like heart or chest problems, only to realize/discover that it's another aspect of fibromyalgia or a result of fibro. When web sites start to explain fibromyalgia, one of the first things they usually mention is that with fibro, the pain receptors are confused and forget to turn off. That leads one to believe that fibro is merely a pain issue, but there is so much more than pain involved. Often times, when people are trying to explain fibro, they say that it's like having the flu all the time. It is, but that doesn't quite explain it either. But to begin with, imagine a time when you had the flu. You were aching all over, tired, irritable, perhaps coughing, cold and shivering. Imagine living like that every day of your life, with no hope - right now, at least - of ever being cured. Like with the flu, there are medications for fibro sufferers that can lessen or eliminate some symptoms, but the syndrome is not cured by those medications. Now, before you think that's all that fibro is about, imagine this exercise. One fibro site suggests that you take one of those old spring-loaded clothespins and attach one to your arm and imagine living with that pain all the time. They say that's what it's like to have fibromyalgia. I would take both of these explainations and put them together. It's like having the flu all the time, and it's like having dozens of those clothespins attached all over your body all the time. Sometimes they're pinching a lot and sometimes not so much, but they're always there. Official fibromyalgia web sites list these symptoms: Pain - The pain of fibromyalgia has no boundaries. People describe the pain as deep muscular aching, throbbing, shooting, and stabbing. Intense burning may also be present. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning and you may hurt more in muscle groups that are used repetitively. Pain can also appear in bones and joints, as well as in muscles. Fatigue - This symptom can be mild in some fibromyalgia patients and yet incapacitating in others. The fatigue has been described as "brain fatigue" in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Many patients depict this situation by saying that they feel as thought their arms and legs are tied to concrete blocks, and they have difficulty concentrating, e.g., brain fog. Sleep disorder - Most fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly. This condition was uncovered in a sleep lab with the aid of a machine that recorded the brain waves of patients during sleep. Researchers found that the majority of fibromyalgia patients could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. Patients appeared to spend the night with one foot in sleep and the other one out of it. Sleep lab tests may not be necessary to determine if you have disturbed sleep. If you wake up feeling as though you've just been run over by a Mack truck-what doctors refer to as unrefreshing sleep-it is reasonable for your physician to assume that you have a sleep disorder. Many fibromyalgia patients have been found to have other sleep disorders in addition to the alpha-EEG, such as sleep apnea (as well as the newly discovered form of interrupted breathing called upper airway resistance syndrome, or UARS), bruxism (teeth grinding), periodic limb movement during sleep (jerking of arms and legs), and restless legs syndrome (difficulty sitting still in the evenings). Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas, and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in roughly 40 to 70% of fibromalgia patients. Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) also occurs with the same high frequency. Chronic headaches - Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are seen in about 70% of fibromyalgia patients and can pose a major problem in coping for this patient group. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome - This syndrome, sometimes referred to as TMJ or TMD, causes tremendous jaw-related face and head pain in one-quarter of fibromyalgia patients. However, a 1997 published report indicated that close to 75% of fibromyalgia patients have a varying degree of jaw discomfort. Typically, the problems are related to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the jaw joint and not necessarily the joint itself. Other common symptoms - Premenstrual syndrome and painful periods, chest pain, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the feeling of swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, dizziness, and impaired coordination can occur. Fibromyalgia patients are often sensitive to odors, loud noises, bright lights, and sometimes even the medications they are prescribed. Aggravating factors - Changes in weather, cold or drafty environments, infections, allergies, hormonal fluctuations (premenstrual and menopausal states), stress, depression, anxiety and over-exertion may all contribute to fibromyalgia symptom flare-ups. Source: Fibromyalgia Network - Symptoms I have the pains in my muscles and joints (which, in my back and knee is also arthritis). I have constant pain. Sometimes I have aches, sometimes shooting pains, sometimes burning pains, sometimes pulsing pains. I also have chronic fatigue, depression, IBS. I have chemical sensitivities. I have thinned skin, which results in bruising and bleeding at the slightest bump. I'm totally intolerant of latex. If I wear latex gloves myself, it results in each of my fingertips bleeding within 10 minutes. Hopefully, people taking care of my medical needs will never slip up and use latex gloves during any tests or procedures, because we don't know what will happen if they do! I get brain (fibro) fog, and I have what I call a "dyslexic mouth". I get migraine headaches. I have a skin condition called "palmaplantar pustulosis". My ears frequently feel like they've been frostbitten, even in the midst of summer. It's quite painful and my doctors don't have an explanation for that other than it must be part of my fibromyalgia. I also get soooooo sick with most prescriptions I take, so I have do take a prescription for nausea every day. Any and all of these might be part of having fibromyalgia, or they might be the result of having a weakened immune system because of the fibro. If someone you know says that she/he has fibromyalgia, take a minute to try to understand. Today, your friend or relative might be able to function fairly normally, and you'll naturally expect that your friend can do the same thing tomorrow. It isn't always so. Click this link to see The Spoon Theory. http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf Basically, the spoon theory says that each person is given a certain number of spoons each day. The "normal" person might use one spoon in the process of waking up, getting ready for work, eating breakfast and driving to work. The person with fibromyalgia (or other invisible illnesses) might use up one spoon for each of those activities, so by the time lunch time comes around, the fibro patient may have used up all of her/his spoons. I've been doing a lot of writing about fibro. At Gather.come, I have shared articles with these titles: What in the world is fibro fog? Please Understand What is Fibromyalgia? How Dare You! Understanding Fibromyalgia (or other chronic) Pain Fibrmyalgia and Chest Wall Pain Fibro Symptoms Linked to a Brain Chemical Being a Christian with Fibro Fog A New Fibromyalgia Drug Comes With Warnings Sufficient Grace One Doctor's Take on Fibromyalgia Reducing Pain My "Friend" Fibro My Dyslexic Mouth It's My Body! Oh Fibro, You Rascal Oh Fog, You Devil Ears That Go "Owwww!" The Skin(ny) On Me Drugs and the FDA Your Will, Lord, Not Mine It's a New Day Speaking of Pain... I'm So Tired Some of those I shared here as well. Here are some good fibro resources: Fibromyalgia Netwodk http://www.fmnetnews.com/ National Fibromyalgia Association http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer |
| Since 1952, we have had a National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday in May. I won't repeat the history of this day. You can check that if you wish. Here's the official National Day of Prayer web site. http://www.ndptf.org/home/home.html They're having an online prayer rally today, in case there are not any local events which you can attend. This year, there has been quite a stir about this day, and that's the very reason why we need to pray for our country. As it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Here is the prayer from Prime Time With God today: Dear Heavenly Father, my God and Creator, my source of strength and provision, lover of man's soul...I come to you today to pray on behalf of my country, my home, and the people who make up this nation. Oh how we need your help! Please have mercy upon us. I'm sorry for my failures and ashamed of the sins of this nation. May all that is good and every person who is called by your name bow before you in repentance and rise up to follow you as shining lights and examples of your love. May we live godly lives and be pleasing to you. May we look to you for our answers, for our help, for guidance. May we lift up the name of Jesus and proclaim his saving grace. I pray for our nation's leaders, that they will seek your face and make their decisions based on biblical values and that you will protect them in their daily lives and often overwhelming duties. I pray for our Christian leaders, that they will receive wisdom and anointing for the day as you give them power and protection from harm and evil. I pray for families, that they would pull together and support one another-with Christ at the center. I pray for individuals, that we each will take responsibility for our thoughts and actions, that we may allow you to minister to others through us and do great and mighty things according to your will. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken"(Ecclesiastes 4:12). May we stand together as your children. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Click here to see the devotional from Prime Time With God today. http://msg1svc.net/servlet/Pv?c=703d63676926733d3738313236266d3d31323926743d4826... The title is, "Witchcraft in the Workplace." No matter what you're doing today, I do hope you'll pray for our nation. |
Some time ago, Marsha Musselman   gave me the gift of the signature below. For some reason, I didn't receive it then. But I did receive an email from her recently with the signature, and it arrived on the day when I was being attacked on another site - for my faith and my beliefs.I have noticed that when I am attacked - in the real world or in this cyber-world - two things happen: 1) I'll receive friend requests at some of my stomping grounds, because people have seen my responses to attacks and (they say) I have responded with grace. 2) Existing friends and connections will stop by with some kind of affirmation or validation. This is the signature that Marsha sent. ![A signature given to me by [Link To User sha4852]](https://www.writing.com/main/images/action/display/ver/1240582621/item_id/1553174.jpg "A Sig Given to Me [#1553174]
A signature given to me by [Link To User sha4852]") |
| People Are So Rude...and So Impatient by Marilyn Mackenzie I went to the grocery store today and as soon as I drove into the parking lot, I knew it would be crowed inside. I drove around for a while trying to find a parking place fairly close to the store. My pains were great today, and I didn't want to walk too much, since I would be walking in the store. (You know...I've come to love shopping carts. They act like my very own "walker" to help me navigate. Even when I'm only picking up a few things, I make sure I lean on a shopping cart.) When I got to the door, I saw a real mess. Some dear, sweet older lady had dropped one of her shopping bags and spilled food all over the floor just inside the door. Her blueberry packages opened up and there were blueberries everywhere! The woman was near tears and apologizing for making such a mess. (I'm sure she was also upset about possibly losing some of the foods she had just purchased, but store personnel replaced them for free.) Three store employees were down on their knees picking up blueberries. And about a dozen or more people were getting loud and angry about being inconvenienced while they waited for the blueberries to be picked up. They could have easily used the other door to leave, but they preferred getting perturbed. Finally, one of the managers decided that they could not keep the customers waiting any longer. He told his employees to just let the people pass. And pass they did. It appeared that some of them purposely ran over the blueberries with their carts so they would be ground into the carpet. What is wrong with people? |
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