Sickness causes your world to change
Your attitude goes from cheery to blah
A friend's sense of humor has no effect
You try so hard but you just can't relate
The light seems to fade when you don't really care
The sun keeps its distance, apparently, just in case
It's brightness would falter if your grayness was catching
So now your eyes grow dim, and your body grows cold
You don't care if life gets accomplished or not
Let someone that feels better take care of those things
You just want to focus on sleep, and more sleep
And finding more blankets, and a place to lie down
Sickness is one of those things that you dread
You know that it's coming, you just don't know when
Like death, it creeps up when you least expect it
Its' twinge, an unwanted feeling on the edge of your soul
Once on you, lest it defeat you, you fight it
The natural reaction of a weakened defense
No matter the cost, you give all you've got
Win or lose, you've done all you can do
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Memories
I was thinking about memories today. Memories are funny things. It's one thing when you stop and think about events in your past, but when they pop up unexpectedly, it can be a little unsettling. I think of those kind as screen savers for the mind. When I'm not really thinking of anything in particular, suddenly, I'm back in my childhood, or on an old family vacation, or whatever. I'm guessing God put them there to keep us from completely shutting down, or slipping into a coma. I could be wrong though.
The memories that baffle me though, are the little snippets of the past that don't make any sense. I have several that are recurring. I'm still no closer to figuring them out. There's one with a baby in a diaper, looking out a storm door, crying loudly. I have no idea what this means. It could be something that was very traumatic at the time, and burned itself into my mind. I wish the rest of it would've hung around. I have several more that are a little disturbing, from my childhood, but I won't go there right now. I'm pretty sure I had an undiagnosed mental disorder as a child.
I love to think back on all the good things that have happened in my life. I also try to forget the bad stuff, but memories aren't always so easily forgotten. Some bad memories can actually be helpful. We can learn from our past mistakes.
As good as memories are, we can't live in our past. We have to stay focused on our present, and prepare for our future.
As the Bible says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Past, present, and future.
The memories that baffle me though, are the little snippets of the past that don't make any sense. I have several that are recurring. I'm still no closer to figuring them out. There's one with a baby in a diaper, looking out a storm door, crying loudly. I have no idea what this means. It could be something that was very traumatic at the time, and burned itself into my mind. I wish the rest of it would've hung around. I have several more that are a little disturbing, from my childhood, but I won't go there right now. I'm pretty sure I had an undiagnosed mental disorder as a child.
I love to think back on all the good things that have happened in my life. I also try to forget the bad stuff, but memories aren't always so easily forgotten. Some bad memories can actually be helpful. We can learn from our past mistakes.
As good as memories are, we can't live in our past. We have to stay focused on our present, and prepare for our future.
As the Bible says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Past, present, and future.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
A Simple Man
I am a simple man. Some people would say I'm simple in more ways than one, and they would probably be right. But, I live a simple life, with few distractions.
Goodwill is my favorite store. 99% of my clothes come from there. Almost all of those were bought on a Sunday for 99 cents apiece. As a matter of fact, I don't remember the last time I bought NEW clothes. The Bible says to be content with what you have. I TRY to do that. Like I said, I'm a simple man.
I don't keep up with all of the newest technology, so I don't worry about getting the next BIG THING. The only thing we have right now that's not SO simple, is an iPhone 4. Used iPhone 4's. The only reason we got them was to get rid of our home Internet. Now we're not tied down to a desk. We carry the Internet around with us. The cool thing is, the $60 a month for the data plan, for both phones, is the same amount we were paying for our Internet at home. Simple.
Next on our agenda is getting rid of our satellite TV. We don't watch much TV as it is, but we've kept it this long for local weather, but the funny thing is, whenever the weather gets bad, we lose our channels. We will still have a DVD player, and with a $20 cable running from our phone to our TV, we can watch Netflix. That's only $8 a month. Simple.
This lifestyle is not for everyone, so I'm not saying we're better than anyone else. It just WORKS for us. If you read John 6:26-29 it says, "Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (New Living Translation).
That is a good philosophy. Enjoy life. Live SIMPLY for God.
Goodwill is my favorite store. 99% of my clothes come from there. Almost all of those were bought on a Sunday for 99 cents apiece. As a matter of fact, I don't remember the last time I bought NEW clothes. The Bible says to be content with what you have. I TRY to do that. Like I said, I'm a simple man.
I don't keep up with all of the newest technology, so I don't worry about getting the next BIG THING. The only thing we have right now that's not SO simple, is an iPhone 4. Used iPhone 4's. The only reason we got them was to get rid of our home Internet. Now we're not tied down to a desk. We carry the Internet around with us. The cool thing is, the $60 a month for the data plan, for both phones, is the same amount we were paying for our Internet at home. Simple.
Next on our agenda is getting rid of our satellite TV. We don't watch much TV as it is, but we've kept it this long for local weather, but the funny thing is, whenever the weather gets bad, we lose our channels. We will still have a DVD player, and with a $20 cable running from our phone to our TV, we can watch Netflix. That's only $8 a month. Simple.
This lifestyle is not for everyone, so I'm not saying we're better than anyone else. It just WORKS for us. If you read John 6:26-29 it says, "Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (New Living Translation).
That is a good philosophy. Enjoy life. Live SIMPLY for God.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Your Purpose
You've got to love fall weather in Indiana. It's cold, rainy, windy, and the leaves just seem to fall off the trees all at once. Maybe you're struggling to find something that you actually LOVE about it, but here's what I love. It makes me THINK. There's something about how the shadows hit everything at different angles, the overcast days, just the overall BLAHness of the season. I can't really explain it, but I just love it.
Today, I'm standing here at work, wondering about my purpose in life. Why am I here? Am I doing the right things? Am I making a difference? During the summer, when life is so busy, I don't really have time to think about things like that a lot. Now that the weather keeps me inside, without much to do, it forces me to stop and contemplate my existence. I don't like to stop, and I don't like to be forced to do anything, but I do like to think. It drives my wife crazy. I'm ALWAYS thinking up new ideas; most of which never see the light of day. Oh well.
Anyway, like I was saying. My purpose. Anybody that knows me well, knows that I enjoy taking pictures. Anywhere, anytime, of almost anything. But, is that my purpose, to be the best photographer around? I like to write, but is that my purpose? I also like to play guitar, sing, laugh, and make other people laugh, and lots of other things. But are any of these things the reason that I was put here? In this place? At this time? In this life? The answer, I think, is a big YES. Yes to all of them.
To make a long story short, I believe our purpose, is to use all that we are, wherever we have been placed, to help those that need help, and most of all, to bring glory to God, The One that gave us all that we have;
Including our purpose.
Today, I'm standing here at work, wondering about my purpose in life. Why am I here? Am I doing the right things? Am I making a difference? During the summer, when life is so busy, I don't really have time to think about things like that a lot. Now that the weather keeps me inside, without much to do, it forces me to stop and contemplate my existence. I don't like to stop, and I don't like to be forced to do anything, but I do like to think. It drives my wife crazy. I'm ALWAYS thinking up new ideas; most of which never see the light of day. Oh well.
Anyway, like I was saying. My purpose. Anybody that knows me well, knows that I enjoy taking pictures. Anywhere, anytime, of almost anything. But, is that my purpose, to be the best photographer around? I like to write, but is that my purpose? I also like to play guitar, sing, laugh, and make other people laugh, and lots of other things. But are any of these things the reason that I was put here? In this place? At this time? In this life? The answer, I think, is a big YES. Yes to all of them.
To make a long story short, I believe our purpose, is to use all that we are, wherever we have been placed, to help those that need help, and most of all, to bring glory to God, The One that gave us all that we have;
Including our purpose.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Not So Funny Picture Of Life
I found some funny pictures on Facebook yesterday. They made me laugh, so I went to their website to see some more. From what I could see, about half of the pictures had some form of profanity, or women showing WAY too much skin. Unfortunately, no matter where you go on the Internet these days, you'll find that.
I got out of that website and decided to look for other websites advertised as 'funny pictures'. I found more of the same. Now, just to let you know, I don't make it a habit to look for 'those' kind of pictures. Just the opposite is true. As a Christian man, I do my best to stay away from them. The sad truth is, there are hardly any 'safe' places left on the Internet today. How many relationships have been ruined by someone going to the wrong place , out of curiosity. So sad, but true.
After thinking about what all I'd seen, I was even sadder. The way that women are portrayed everywhere today is disturbing. Their true value is diminished, and they are seen only as a collection of parts, to be ogled at, and drooled over. I personally think outward beauty CAN be appreciated, but the beauty inside of a woman should be much more treasured, and appreciated. Without that, she really has no beauty.
There is much more about this subject that I could discuss, such as: body issues in general; the 'Barbie effect', where society and the media are convincing younger and younger girls that they need to have the 'perfect' body; etc., but I want to end with this.
If a woman respects herself, she won't show her body off to anybody and everybody. And if a man respects her, and himself, he won't look.
I got out of that website and decided to look for other websites advertised as 'funny pictures'. I found more of the same. Now, just to let you know, I don't make it a habit to look for 'those' kind of pictures. Just the opposite is true. As a Christian man, I do my best to stay away from them. The sad truth is, there are hardly any 'safe' places left on the Internet today. How many relationships have been ruined by someone going to the wrong place , out of curiosity. So sad, but true.
After thinking about what all I'd seen, I was even sadder. The way that women are portrayed everywhere today is disturbing. Their true value is diminished, and they are seen only as a collection of parts, to be ogled at, and drooled over. I personally think outward beauty CAN be appreciated, but the beauty inside of a woman should be much more treasured, and appreciated. Without that, she really has no beauty.
There is much more about this subject that I could discuss, such as: body issues in general; the 'Barbie effect', where society and the media are convincing younger and younger girls that they need to have the 'perfect' body; etc., but I want to end with this.
If a woman respects herself, she won't show her body off to anybody and everybody. And if a man respects her, and himself, he won't look.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Walking By Faith - 6 haikus
You're walking by faith
Baby step, by baby step
Trying not to fall.
A lifelong journey
One turn after another
It can seem so long.
The cares of this life
Can start to get on your nerves
But don't give up yet.
There is a new life
It begins when this one ends
If you have been saved.
That's where faith comes in
Faith in One who died for you
And paid for your sins.
All because of Him
You can walk confidently
Praise His Holy Name.
Baby step, by baby step
Trying not to fall.
A lifelong journey
One turn after another
It can seem so long.
The cares of this life
Can start to get on your nerves
But don't give up yet.
There is a new life
It begins when this one ends
If you have been saved.
That's where faith comes in
Faith in One who died for you
And paid for your sins.
All because of Him
You can walk confidently
Praise His Holy Name.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Who I Am
you say you want me
to be a part of you?
you say i'll fit in just fine?
you hardly ever see me,
but you think you know all about me.
don't look at me
through gray-colored glasses,
my colors run deep,
you'll miss the real me.
look at me as my Creator does.
He sees me for who i am.
don't see me
in someone else's clothes,
they won't fit.
don't see me
with a different attitude,
it's who i am.
my words may not always come out
just the way you like,
but my thoughts
and my ideas
are all mine.
they're who i am.
you say you want me?
be careful what you ask for.
because what you see
is what you will get.
to be a part of you?
you say i'll fit in just fine?
you hardly ever see me,
but you think you know all about me.
don't look at me
through gray-colored glasses,
my colors run deep,
you'll miss the real me.
look at me as my Creator does.
He sees me for who i am.
don't see me
in someone else's clothes,
they won't fit.
don't see me
with a different attitude,
it's who i am.
my words may not always come out
just the way you like,
but my thoughts
and my ideas
are all mine.
they're who i am.
you say you want me?
be careful what you ask for.
because what you see
is what you will get.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Circle
The leaves are starting to fall,
The season of change has begun;
Just like their Creator,
They have tasted death on a tree;
Except, their bodies will decay
And go back to the earth,
To be scattered by the wind;
Their places taken, next spring,
By new life, full of hope,
And awaiting their inevitable outcome.
But, until then,
They serve their purpose,
Faithful to the tree.
The season of change has begun;
Just like their Creator,
They have tasted death on a tree;
Except, their bodies will decay
And go back to the earth,
To be scattered by the wind;
Their places taken, next spring,
By new life, full of hope,
And awaiting their inevitable outcome.
But, until then,
They serve their purpose,
Faithful to the tree.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hope Concert
We had a great time of praise and worship Sunday night at Bundy Auditorium. The Buchannon Unity provided the most powerful singing and playing that I've been a part of in a LONG time. The Lord was in our midst the whole night. There was a young girl saved, which is what it's all about.
I took this picture from behind the band while we were singing in the choir. What a great night. I'm glad I was there.
I took this picture from behind the band while we were singing in the choir. What a great night. I'm glad I was there.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
New Blog
I have started a new blog to use with my new iPhone 4. My wife and I have just gotten used phones, and we are going to cancel our home internet, and satellite TV. We are unplugging our home from any outside media. We are now mobile.
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