Disclaimer—Don’t believe everything I say; much of this is my opinion folks. It’s like this—A guy was late for work and his boss got on him about it and asked him “how come you’re late”. Well, I got up like normal but I was about ready to leave when my wife said she needed the car today and said she would drive me to work. She said she would be ready in 10 minutes. Then we had 2 flat tires, not one but 2, then there was a funeral procession—the guy must have been popular as there was about 100 cars and we had to wait for them all and then there was construction and we had to follow this pilot car. The pilot car ran out of gas. Then there was an accident and we were sitting still so I got out and ran the last 2 miles in world record time to get here. His boss said—You expect me to believe you--Everyone knows that no woman can get ready in 10 minutes!
So there you go, that’s just the way it is! This “It’s Saturday” is in memory of a friend who died about a year ago. He would tell me stuff and then say—That’s just the way it is erv. He had the attitude of—I am not afraid of tomorrow, I have seen yesterday, and I love today. He was a peaceful man (i.e. had his head screwed on right it appeared). He loved the Lord but his fight with Parkinson’s disease wasn’t always easy. He always seemed to have this peace about himself. So there you go, that’s just the way it is! Joesixpack says---Peace depends less upon our circumstances than upon our thought…when we focus on negative aspects of life, we suffer needlessly and struggle with peace within. That’s just the way it is!
So are you peaceful within yourself? Where do you find your peace (i.e. this is multiple choice question)—1. liquor 2. drugs 3. golfing 4. movies 5. God 6. eating 7. money 8. stuff 9. working 10. all of the above? Stanley Ott suggests that all folks should be part of some type of a small group (i.e. a group of 3 to 14—generally on the smaller side the better but really no more than 8). It would be an hour and a half long with no food or very little (i.e. distraction). The first 45 minutes would be studying the Bible, the next half hour sharing and the last 15 minutes praying. That’s his opinion folks. I have been in many Bible studies/small groups. Some were very good, some okay and a few were not sooooo good (i.e. boring boring boring). Some times folks just argue about interpreting the Bible. Many years ago folks would go to the Synagogue and listen to the scripture being read by a Rabbi (i.e. the folks would sit and listen to the interpretation of the Rabbi—If they didn’t like this particular Rabbi’s interpretation, they would go and listen to a different one—like how far can you walk on Sunday). Folks would just believe what they were told. The early church manipulated this and used it for their financial gain in many different ways (i.e. forgiveness of sins and positions). Folks were told that they could not communicate directly to God—then uproar occurred with the Reformation. There were only a few Bibles during this time so they were owned and read by the elite so the majority of others couldn’t or didn’t have a Bible. Then the printing press came along (i.e. stopped the monopoly of interpretation by the hierarchy). Now everyone seems to be able to interpret the Bible (i.e. many different interpretations by individuals, churches, church denominations and folks in Bible studies). But one thing stays constant—Jesus Christ is Lord and reigns forever and forever. That is where my peace is! Yes, I read the Bible every day through my devotions while eating my oatmeal with some type of fruit on it. Do I always understand it—I don’t know. Some other person interprets it for me and I always don’t agree with their interpretation. It’s like I read in the current book I’m reading—Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsic (i.e. it’s not about Buddhism and not about motorcycle maintenance but about trying to understand life)—A person is sitting somewhere, minding his own business, and suddenly—flash! —He understands something he didn’t understand before. For me, thoughts, meanings and opportunities just fall into my lap. That’s just the way it is. MissPerfect says—God’s gift is never bought, hidden, wrapped, exchanged, but stored in your heart. If you have that, you will find peace. That’s just the way it is!
Albert Einstein had said—Man tries to make for himself in the fashion that suits him best a simplified and intelligible picture of the world. He then tries to some extent to substitute this cosmos of his for the world of experience, and thus to overcome it….He makes this cosmos and its construction the pivot of his emotional life in order to find in this way the peace and serenity which he cannot find in the narrow whirlpool of personal experience….The supreme task…is to arrive at those universal elementary laws from which the cosmos can be built up by pure deduction. There is no logical path to these laws; only intuition, resting on sympathetic understanding of experience, can reach them…. So there you go, that’s just the way it is folks according to Albert to find peace.
The more I think and ponder and mediate the more I get different feelings (i.e. sometimes even more confused). GeorgeTheCrook says—All these things gradually engender a feeling of wonder, humility, and gratitude to God. These in turn are followed by a more sure and abiding faith in God and His purpose (i.e. that stuff seems to stick with me like dried oatmeal sticks to my breakfast bowl). I just hope that I’m pursuing the right stuff. It’s like a guy climbing the ladder of success by one rung at a time. Its hard work, time consuming and sometimes ugly. Then he gets to the top and finds out he has his ladder against the wrong wall. Ouchy ouchy!
It’s never as bad as it looks and never as good as it looks folks. I hope not. What I read in the paper doesn’t give me much peace! Oh no! This is what I read—GEEZ—IT’S NOT THAT BAD. We know the Iowa men’s basketball program has struggled in recent years, but Reggie Hayes of the Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel newspaper landed a big shot in a column last week. Under the label “Cheaper by the Dozen,” Hayes wrote…”Butler men’s basketball coach Brad Stevens signed a new 12-year deal to remain at the school. This provides Stevens some security from every coach’s biggest fear: Taking the Iowa job.” Ouchy ouchy!
This blows my mind (i.e. no peace)—The Chicago-Cubs have the highest priced tickets for regular seats in the major leagues, overtaking the New Your Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Tickets at Wrigley Field for non-premium sections average $52.56 this season, edging the Red Sox (52.56) and the Yankees (55.83). The overall average in the big leagues was $26.74. It’s all about money folks. The newspaper says (i.e. so it must be right) that the price of taking a family of four to a game at Wrigley Field is $329.74. San Diego is the lowest at $120.60. Huh, interesting. It’s supply and demand folks. That’s just the way it is!
My friend Aaron (i.e. a fifth grader) and I went for an 11.6 mile bike ride on the Cedar Valley trails last Saturday. We averaged 11.4 mph (i.e. pretty good for him on his little bike). ANYWAY as we were going under a major road, there was a lot of graffiti on the bridge supports. I usually can’t read them very well but this one I could and it really stuck out to me. It was in large letters and done very nicely. It read--Religion is slavery! I kept thinking about that as I rode and it has come up in my mind several times since—Religion is slavery! Many world religions might be slavery (i.e. ya gotta earn your salvation by good works). It appears that many Christians think the same but the reality is you don’t—It’s a gift and you don’t have to do anything for it but just ask (i.e. the price has been already paid by Jesus). That’s hard for many folks to understand in our capitalistic culture. Christians should do things not because they have to but because they want to! There is a huge difference here folks (i.e. my opinion). Soooooooo can religion be slavery? It think it can and is for some (i.e. even in Christian churches). But, it shouldn’t be. That’s just the way it is.
Peace can be hard to find for some or at some times in our life. Our school district is A-P which stands for Aplington and Parkersburg. I live in Aplington but my Insurance and Real Estate office was (i.e. before I retired) in Parkersburg. We are basically one trade community. Watch this video ~ http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5082690&categoryid=3060647
That’s just the way it is folks! SusieQ says—To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others use your heart! That’s just the way it is.
Peace oh that peace. AverageJoe says--Life is not about what you have, it's about what you appreciate. So, what do you appreciate? Oh, when Aaron and I got done on our bike ride, we each wrote a little something on back of a picture we bought on a deck sale. It was sorta kinda in memory of the day. He wrote -- You can’t have a bike ride without pretty scenery! That’s a truism folks. He learned this from his language teacher Mrs. Koch. That’s a good observation folks. That’s just the way it is.
I heard Jim Furyk’s interview after the third round of last week’s PGA golf tournament, which he ended up winning. They asked him how it felt coming off a poor performance at the Masters the week before. He said—I first was mad, then I felt sorry for myself and then decided I had to figure out what I needed to do to get better (i.e. he and his dad got together and worked on his swing). I’m afraid many folks don’t get past the getting mad phase or feeling sorry for themselves phase. If we want to improve anything we have to change (i.e. physically and mentally). I practice my golf swing but if I do everything the same, I will get the same result. I must tell you that I can change on the practice range but when on the course, I regress back to my old way many times (i.e. it’s comfortable but not effective—much like a lot of traditions in churches {my opinion}). So there you go folks! ItchieBitchie says—You can find the world’s shortest sermon on a thousand traffic signs “KEEP RIGHT”. "You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong." --Warren Buffett-- That’s just the way it is!
This old man, he played one; He played knick-knack 'on my drum. With a knick-knack, paddy whack, Give a dog a bone; This old man came rolling home. My hiking and golfing buddy from the Valley (i.e. retired GM engineer who when young sang on the American Bandstand and who knows about a thousand songs) told me many years ago GM had a seminary for some of its folks using hypnosis. They offered post seminar sessions for any folks who wanted to pay $20 on “quitting smoking”, “improving your golf game” and I can’t remember the other one. He took the quitting smoking hypnosis session and immediately quit smoking. When we were playing golf one day, he said—I sure wish I would have spent another $20 and took the “how to improve you golf game” hypnosis session! That’s just the way it is! Bytheway—This is the guy who suggested the book I’m reading.
We went to the Shell Rock Swing Show. I sat next to Melba from Hampton (i.e. seemed to be a very nice lady). I said to her—that’s a different name—my dad said I was named after a opera singer—so you like music—ya I do; I have squared danced all over Iowa and really had a good time—are you computer savvy? —I spend a lot of time on the computer—how old are you—you sure ask a lot of questions! —I’m 79—my family helps me a lot with the computer; I have a daughter who has a blog where she puts a new recipe on each day. Can I share it with my readers? She checked with her daughter and she said yes. Sooooooo maybe some of you might be interested. Her blog can be found at http://www.goodeats365.wordpress.com That’s just the way it was.
As it says in the Book—Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be trouble, nor let it be fearful. That’s just the way it is folks!
Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:
erv
KR’s thought of the day—You don’t get harmony when everybody sings the same note.
TheProfessor’sPithySaying—The human mind has 3 keys opening all locks: knowledge, reflection and imagination—in these three, everything is obtainable ~ Victor Hugo
April 24, 2010
April 17, 2010
Hurts
Yah-da, yah-da, yah-da, yah-da, yah! Disclaimer—I got a call from a friend who reminded me in January I said I thought the stock market would go down 15% (i.e. I didn’t say when folks). It just has been going up and went over 11,000. But I will predict the course of the stock market for 2010 accurately (i.e. you can put it in stone)—It will either go up or it will go down! Sooooooo, don’t believe much what I think (i.e. it’s only my opinion and you get what you pay for—don’t forget that)! "Markets are constantly in a state of uncertainty and flux and money is made by discounting the obvious and betting on the unexpected." -- George Soros-- Such is life.
A missionary friend wrote this in his email newsletter--All of us deal with difficult times in life. If you haven't yet, you are either lying, delusional, or will be experiencing some in your future. It is a part of life and there is nothing wrong with that. The key is how we choose to deal with these times. Do we get discouraged and give up or retaliate? Do we simply shut down? Or do we lean on others and lean on God for direction and help in carrying us through it? There truly are benefits to the last option. Even Christ Jesus Himself grew discouraged, but dealt with it in the right way.
Change hurts sometimes! Churches are struggling with change. People always have struggled with change. Gary Player quipped during the Masters Par 3 Tournament on 4/7/10, "Change is the price of survival." So do you think church small groups might provide an opportunity for folks to share their hurts in a comfortable setting? Does your church have small groups that do this? Maybe you don’t have any hurting folks in your church—ya right! GeorgeTheCrook says—Being vunerable with each other produces strong relationships.
You ever feel like you are on a treadmill that you can’t get off or in a squirrel cage you can’t get out or you’re on a merry-go-round you can’t get off of (i.e. we live in a manic world and it hurts sometimes). You can't control the outer circumstances of your life but you can control how you react to them. That makes you dominant over circumstances.—My father, Chester, said to me many times—Everybody has problems. It’s just that people handle them differently. I was reminded again this week by a friend about what my Mom, Anna, always told me—ERVIN, always do what is right. My friend was working on a business situation and he was sharing it with me on several occasions. Then he called and told me what he decided to do—He told me his decision and then said—I’m doing what is right! GeorgeTheCrook says—Sometimes the right thing hurts but…! MissPerfect says--Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.
SusieQ says--We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come. Ouchy ouchy! That hurts sometimes SusieQ. Oh yes! Marriage can be difficult (i.e. it must be as about 50% of all marriages end up in divorce). I read this: Men want--1. Sexual fulfillment 2. Recreational companionship 3. An attractive spouse 4. Domestic support 5. Admiration and Women want--1. Affection 2. Conversation 3. Honesty and openness 4. Financial support 5. Family commitment. Sooooooo do you think those are accurate? It hurts when you don’t get what you want! Such is life.
I got a telephone call at 12:45 (i.e. I was eating my lunch). I said hello but there was no response. I could hear some background noise of people talking. I said hello again and the guy said—I’ll take two double cheeseburgers, my usual. I said—hello again. The guy said—Ervin, are you thinking about new siding and new windows? No! Okay then and hung up. So what do you think this guy looks like? You already have him pictured in your mind; I do. LuckieEddie says—now that hurts!
It hurts when I miss the obvious! When we got home from the valley the light going down the basement didn’t work (i.e. it’s a three way switch to the lights above the pool table (i.e. two lights with each two bulbs). They worked when we left. How can that be—how can a switch go bad when we weren’t there! So I get my little tester out and took the switches out. I couldn’t tell anything. Arlene said to me--could all the bulbs be burned out (i.e. no way Arlene—da!)? So I put a new bulb in and bingo, it worked. What! To rub insult to injury, as I was taking one of the switches out, I hit my bald head on the sharp edge of the door jam and now I have wound on my head again (i.e. you bald headed guys understand that). It hurt! Chet said—You look like Gorbachev dad! “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” ~Einstein~
ItchieBithcie says--Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely. WildWille says—A person who is nice to you but rude to someone who is less than them (i.e. by their judgment) is not a nice person (i.e. this is very important). Pay attention, it never fails! I was hurt ‘cause I heard of a situation in our community of a gal who made a mistake and all her friends abandoned her. What kind of friends were they anyway. When you are hurt is when you need support. I don’t get it. I’m quite disappointed in those gals who thought maybe they were better. Ouchy ouchy!
I thought Tiger was a Buddhist! He sounds more like he believes in God than a Christian. I heard him say on the 6th tee box Saturday—God damn it! Son of a bitch! It sorta kinda hurts to hear that I think but I have said it already. So…! But I think Tiger should have said—Buddha damn it! Then on the 13th after hitting a poor shot, Tiger said Jesus Christ! Shouldn’t he have said—BUDDHA! Well! I’m not a great huge fan of Phil but how could anyone not root for Phil over Tiger! FYI, you guys who don’t follow Phil and the PGA, Phil’s wife and mother both are going through breast cancer treatment. See, one of the best gofers in the world has hurts in his life’s story—it’s just ain’t you. A friend sent me this link about Phil. http://www.augusta.com/stories/040107/mas_122384.shtml
I had the opportunity to go to church with a friend Sunday. We heard “a story from the seats” (i.e. a person from the congregation sharing his story). He said, we all have a story and in our story we all have hurts. Saturday question—Do you have hurts in your story?
Diplomacy…the art of letting someone have it your way! I’m confused…maybe I’m not! Oh it hurts when you make a mistake (i.e. I have made many and will make more). Soooooo, everything new in church will not work (i.e. some will fail). Ya just gotta try something else that does work. A person (i.e. seemingly a successful business person) in a small group years ago expressed that his greatest fear was that of failure. Yet, Abe Lincoln failed miserably many times and ended up a great man of our country. Yabut erv, failure hurts, it hurts terribly. Maybe and maybe not. I was talking to a friend this week and he told me that he and a partner bought a business. After they closed the deal, his partner got cold feet. He said—I have made many bad business decisions and this is just another. See how past failures affect our internal computer. SusieQ says—I don’t let others affect my decisions and I don’t care what others think; is that okay! AverageJoe says—You can’t make footprints in the sand if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to make butt prints in the sand of times! CadillacJack says—After all is said and none, more is said than done! Such is life.
We went to Mayo Clinic at Rochester this past week for our annual physicals. The test results were good—we were happy about that. The only thing is Doc wants Arlene to gain some weight (i.e. now that is a problem that most Americans would like). I would suggest that all of you have an annual physical. ANWYAY we think that there were less folks at Mayo (i.e. our observation and opinion). Joesixpack says—Toooooo many times we take a handful of sand from the endless landscape of awareness around us and call that handful of sand the world (i.e. think about that folks—do you see the big picture or only a snippet which is Butler County Iowa or your church denomination). Maybe our thinking of less folks was ‘cause it was a certain day or the season, we don’t know. Or maybe it was about money. If you have to pay a large deductible, you might just go without medical work. JoeThePlumber says—I’d rather spend the $500 to $1,000 on fishing and drinking beer unless the government pays for my medical care then it’s different (i.e. plenty of pigs at the trough)! So there you heard it from JoeThePlumber a.k.a. the average American. I talked to a college friend from good ol’ Northwestern College when in Rochester (i.e. he lives there and is a real estate developer, landlord, entrepreneur, etc.). He said business is bad. With no jobs there is nothing happening (i.e. it’s all about money). He said it really hurts right now. He asked me if I was a Democrat or Republican—I asked him what he was—he said I was a Democrat when I was in education (i.e. he has a doctorate degree in education) ‘cause it was best for me and since I am in business I’m a Republican ‘cause it’s best for me (i.e. it’s all about money and how it affects a guy personally). Such is life.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself!" It's what "they" told you. For some of you, they told you that years ago and it has remained as a burning indictment seared across your soul and spirit. You feel ashamed (i.e. it hurts). Ashamed for something that happened in the past that God has forgiven and forgotten. It is time that you realize that you are no longer that person. It's time to realize that you should no longer be ashamed. It's time to let it go and raise your head. It's time. Now ~ That is what I read this week. This past winter in the valley at a production, they poked fun of one of my defects. We try to put those behind us but…it hurt again. I thought about it some again and it was amazing what I discovered. I discovered that the defect really maybe, probably gave me the opportunity of life. It also gave me joy in a way that I would have never had without that defect (i.e. it’s really unbelievable, really). Soooooo maybe, probably that defect was really a blessing but I never really realized it before. Think about your defects in a different way and see if this makes any sense to you. Such is life.
Oh yes, those physicals really don’t hurt. I had my chest x-rayed, wired for a EKG, poked, stuck, thumped, and even had the Doc shove his finger up my butt for the prostrate exam (i.e. I have no idea what you gals go through). ANYWAY it really doesn’t hurt but it’s just unpleasant.
You won’t believe the opportunity I had the other night (i.e. it just fell in my lap). We stayed over at Rochester as Arlene needed to see another doctor the next day early. I went for an evening walk and a guy asked me if I knew where this address was. It was I think 703 1st Street. I didn’t but asked him what he was looking for—a place to sleep tonight (i.e. a shelter)—are you homeless—yes I am—how long—a week and it really hurts. He showed me the paper and it had a phone # on it so I called and found out it was about 8 blocks away. You have no place to sleep or any money do you—no I don’t. I asked him if I could walk with him—sure—so why are you homeless—my wife and I separated—how come—I guess it was a process but mainly ‘cause she has a job and I don’t (i.e. all about money folks)—how long have you been married—19 years—how old are you Lewis--57—have a family—5 children—where do they live—St. Paul—why don’t you go and live with them—I don’t want to impose; this being homeless really sucks—so why are you not working—I lost my job ‘cause I had health issues (i.e. he pulled up his pant leg and showed me a huge massive hole in his leg)—what’s that from anyway—hardening of the arteries from smoking; I almost lost my leg—Are you a Christian Lewis—yes I am—we all have hurts in our life and we don’t much care for them—it’s a lot easier when it is someone else erv. We got there and I gave a $20—It’s not much Lewis but maybe it will help a little—thank you erv, now I can least eat tomorrow. What’s so ironical about this is that Dr. Kuipers and I just talked about him thinking he got scammed by a beggar in Houston this winter. He ended up giving him $60 but still thought it was a hoax. Dr. Kuipers is a Christian man and we talked about how hard it is to know when to give and when not to give (i.e. it’s all about money folks). We wonder sometimes if we are just being taken advantage of. So was I taken advantage of? I don’t know and never will (i.e. I really don’t care). But hey, I feel good! Lewis never asked for money and I didn’t have to give him any. Sooooo why did I—just ‘cause I could. Such is life.
I said to the phlebotomist who drew my blood at Mayo Clinic, you seem to have a good attitude—I tell my children, their day is how they decide they want it to be; it’s all about attitude—you sound like a good mother—I try!
MissPerfect says—Make sure before you tell a man you love his company…make sure he owns one!
Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:
erv
KR’s thought of the day—It’s not the number of hours you put in, but what you put in the hours that count.
TheProfessor’sPithySaying—The educated person possesses the greatest wealth within himself--Menander
A missionary friend wrote this in his email newsletter--All of us deal with difficult times in life. If you haven't yet, you are either lying, delusional, or will be experiencing some in your future. It is a part of life and there is nothing wrong with that. The key is how we choose to deal with these times. Do we get discouraged and give up or retaliate? Do we simply shut down? Or do we lean on others and lean on God for direction and help in carrying us through it? There truly are benefits to the last option. Even Christ Jesus Himself grew discouraged, but dealt with it in the right way.
Change hurts sometimes! Churches are struggling with change. People always have struggled with change. Gary Player quipped during the Masters Par 3 Tournament on 4/7/10, "Change is the price of survival." So do you think church small groups might provide an opportunity for folks to share their hurts in a comfortable setting? Does your church have small groups that do this? Maybe you don’t have any hurting folks in your church—ya right! GeorgeTheCrook says—Being vunerable with each other produces strong relationships.
You ever feel like you are on a treadmill that you can’t get off or in a squirrel cage you can’t get out or you’re on a merry-go-round you can’t get off of (i.e. we live in a manic world and it hurts sometimes). You can't control the outer circumstances of your life but you can control how you react to them. That makes you dominant over circumstances.—My father, Chester, said to me many times—Everybody has problems. It’s just that people handle them differently. I was reminded again this week by a friend about what my Mom, Anna, always told me—ERVIN, always do what is right. My friend was working on a business situation and he was sharing it with me on several occasions. Then he called and told me what he decided to do—He told me his decision and then said—I’m doing what is right! GeorgeTheCrook says—Sometimes the right thing hurts but…! MissPerfect says--Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.
SusieQ says--We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come. Ouchy ouchy! That hurts sometimes SusieQ. Oh yes! Marriage can be difficult (i.e. it must be as about 50% of all marriages end up in divorce). I read this: Men want--1. Sexual fulfillment 2. Recreational companionship 3. An attractive spouse 4. Domestic support 5. Admiration and Women want--1. Affection 2. Conversation 3. Honesty and openness 4. Financial support 5. Family commitment. Sooooooo do you think those are accurate? It hurts when you don’t get what you want! Such is life.
I got a telephone call at 12:45 (i.e. I was eating my lunch). I said hello but there was no response. I could hear some background noise of people talking. I said hello again and the guy said—I’ll take two double cheeseburgers, my usual. I said—hello again. The guy said—Ervin, are you thinking about new siding and new windows? No! Okay then and hung up. So what do you think this guy looks like? You already have him pictured in your mind; I do. LuckieEddie says—now that hurts!
It hurts when I miss the obvious! When we got home from the valley the light going down the basement didn’t work (i.e. it’s a three way switch to the lights above the pool table (i.e. two lights with each two bulbs). They worked when we left. How can that be—how can a switch go bad when we weren’t there! So I get my little tester out and took the switches out. I couldn’t tell anything. Arlene said to me--could all the bulbs be burned out (i.e. no way Arlene—da!)? So I put a new bulb in and bingo, it worked. What! To rub insult to injury, as I was taking one of the switches out, I hit my bald head on the sharp edge of the door jam and now I have wound on my head again (i.e. you bald headed guys understand that). It hurt! Chet said—You look like Gorbachev dad! “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” ~Einstein~
ItchieBithcie says--Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely. WildWille says—A person who is nice to you but rude to someone who is less than them (i.e. by their judgment) is not a nice person (i.e. this is very important). Pay attention, it never fails! I was hurt ‘cause I heard of a situation in our community of a gal who made a mistake and all her friends abandoned her. What kind of friends were they anyway. When you are hurt is when you need support. I don’t get it. I’m quite disappointed in those gals who thought maybe they were better. Ouchy ouchy!
I thought Tiger was a Buddhist! He sounds more like he believes in God than a Christian. I heard him say on the 6th tee box Saturday—God damn it! Son of a bitch! It sorta kinda hurts to hear that I think but I have said it already. So…! But I think Tiger should have said—Buddha damn it! Then on the 13th after hitting a poor shot, Tiger said Jesus Christ! Shouldn’t he have said—BUDDHA! Well! I’m not a great huge fan of Phil but how could anyone not root for Phil over Tiger! FYI, you guys who don’t follow Phil and the PGA, Phil’s wife and mother both are going through breast cancer treatment. See, one of the best gofers in the world has hurts in his life’s story—it’s just ain’t you. A friend sent me this link about Phil. http://www.augusta.com/stories/040107/mas_122384.shtml
I had the opportunity to go to church with a friend Sunday. We heard “a story from the seats” (i.e. a person from the congregation sharing his story). He said, we all have a story and in our story we all have hurts. Saturday question—Do you have hurts in your story?
Diplomacy…the art of letting someone have it your way! I’m confused…maybe I’m not! Oh it hurts when you make a mistake (i.e. I have made many and will make more). Soooooo, everything new in church will not work (i.e. some will fail). Ya just gotta try something else that does work. A person (i.e. seemingly a successful business person) in a small group years ago expressed that his greatest fear was that of failure. Yet, Abe Lincoln failed miserably many times and ended up a great man of our country. Yabut erv, failure hurts, it hurts terribly. Maybe and maybe not. I was talking to a friend this week and he told me that he and a partner bought a business. After they closed the deal, his partner got cold feet. He said—I have made many bad business decisions and this is just another. See how past failures affect our internal computer. SusieQ says—I don’t let others affect my decisions and I don’t care what others think; is that okay! AverageJoe says—You can’t make footprints in the sand if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to make butt prints in the sand of times! CadillacJack says—After all is said and none, more is said than done! Such is life.
We went to Mayo Clinic at Rochester this past week for our annual physicals. The test results were good—we were happy about that. The only thing is Doc wants Arlene to gain some weight (i.e. now that is a problem that most Americans would like). I would suggest that all of you have an annual physical. ANWYAY we think that there were less folks at Mayo (i.e. our observation and opinion). Joesixpack says—Toooooo many times we take a handful of sand from the endless landscape of awareness around us and call that handful of sand the world (i.e. think about that folks—do you see the big picture or only a snippet which is Butler County Iowa or your church denomination). Maybe our thinking of less folks was ‘cause it was a certain day or the season, we don’t know. Or maybe it was about money. If you have to pay a large deductible, you might just go without medical work. JoeThePlumber says—I’d rather spend the $500 to $1,000 on fishing and drinking beer unless the government pays for my medical care then it’s different (i.e. plenty of pigs at the trough)! So there you heard it from JoeThePlumber a.k.a. the average American. I talked to a college friend from good ol’ Northwestern College when in Rochester (i.e. he lives there and is a real estate developer, landlord, entrepreneur, etc.). He said business is bad. With no jobs there is nothing happening (i.e. it’s all about money). He said it really hurts right now. He asked me if I was a Democrat or Republican—I asked him what he was—he said I was a Democrat when I was in education (i.e. he has a doctorate degree in education) ‘cause it was best for me and since I am in business I’m a Republican ‘cause it’s best for me (i.e. it’s all about money and how it affects a guy personally). Such is life.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself!" It's what "they" told you. For some of you, they told you that years ago and it has remained as a burning indictment seared across your soul and spirit. You feel ashamed (i.e. it hurts). Ashamed for something that happened in the past that God has forgiven and forgotten. It is time that you realize that you are no longer that person. It's time to realize that you should no longer be ashamed. It's time to let it go and raise your head. It's time. Now ~ That is what I read this week. This past winter in the valley at a production, they poked fun of one of my defects. We try to put those behind us but…it hurt again. I thought about it some again and it was amazing what I discovered. I discovered that the defect really maybe, probably gave me the opportunity of life. It also gave me joy in a way that I would have never had without that defect (i.e. it’s really unbelievable, really). Soooooo maybe, probably that defect was really a blessing but I never really realized it before. Think about your defects in a different way and see if this makes any sense to you. Such is life.
Oh yes, those physicals really don’t hurt. I had my chest x-rayed, wired for a EKG, poked, stuck, thumped, and even had the Doc shove his finger up my butt for the prostrate exam (i.e. I have no idea what you gals go through). ANYWAY it really doesn’t hurt but it’s just unpleasant.
You won’t believe the opportunity I had the other night (i.e. it just fell in my lap). We stayed over at Rochester as Arlene needed to see another doctor the next day early. I went for an evening walk and a guy asked me if I knew where this address was. It was I think 703 1st Street. I didn’t but asked him what he was looking for—a place to sleep tonight (i.e. a shelter)—are you homeless—yes I am—how long—a week and it really hurts. He showed me the paper and it had a phone # on it so I called and found out it was about 8 blocks away. You have no place to sleep or any money do you—no I don’t. I asked him if I could walk with him—sure—so why are you homeless—my wife and I separated—how come—I guess it was a process but mainly ‘cause she has a job and I don’t (i.e. all about money folks)—how long have you been married—19 years—how old are you Lewis--57—have a family—5 children—where do they live—St. Paul—why don’t you go and live with them—I don’t want to impose; this being homeless really sucks—so why are you not working—I lost my job ‘cause I had health issues (i.e. he pulled up his pant leg and showed me a huge massive hole in his leg)—what’s that from anyway—hardening of the arteries from smoking; I almost lost my leg—Are you a Christian Lewis—yes I am—we all have hurts in our life and we don’t much care for them—it’s a lot easier when it is someone else erv. We got there and I gave a $20—It’s not much Lewis but maybe it will help a little—thank you erv, now I can least eat tomorrow. What’s so ironical about this is that Dr. Kuipers and I just talked about him thinking he got scammed by a beggar in Houston this winter. He ended up giving him $60 but still thought it was a hoax. Dr. Kuipers is a Christian man and we talked about how hard it is to know when to give and when not to give (i.e. it’s all about money folks). We wonder sometimes if we are just being taken advantage of. So was I taken advantage of? I don’t know and never will (i.e. I really don’t care). But hey, I feel good! Lewis never asked for money and I didn’t have to give him any. Sooooo why did I—just ‘cause I could. Such is life.
I said to the phlebotomist who drew my blood at Mayo Clinic, you seem to have a good attitude—I tell my children, their day is how they decide they want it to be; it’s all about attitude—you sound like a good mother—I try!
MissPerfect says—Make sure before you tell a man you love his company…make sure he owns one!
Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:
erv
KR’s thought of the day—It’s not the number of hours you put in, but what you put in the hours that count.
TheProfessor’sPithySaying—The educated person possesses the greatest wealth within himself--Menander
April 10, 2010
If I would have known that
If I would have known that! Saturday question—Do you think when your earthly death occurs, some folks they will say—If I would have known that? Easter morning Heather and I went to the sunrise service at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre (i.e. it overlooks the valley of Denver). The setting of the city lights at 5:15 was really neat only to be topped by the sunrise. The service was attended by about 10,000 folks. It was 30 degrees! The service was really awesome! The message was “A Call to Action”. Then we got back and went to the 8:30 service at The Rock of the Southwest. Another great service. I hope I can live what I believe. And I hope I can do it today. Ralph Waldo Emerson said—We are always getting ready to live but never live.
Joesixpack says--Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated. MissPerfect says--Yabut Joesixpack, you don’t know all the experiences I have had. Some are pretty ugly! I mean really ugly. If I had known before hand, I would not have those experiences. GeorgeTheCrook says—Think about all the positive experiences you have had that you tend to forget ‘cause you tend to dwell on the negative toooooooo much. All of those experiences make us who we are (i.e. as my mentor says—we are all programmed much like a computer—what you put in comes out). Such is life.
LuckieEddie says—You must learn to resist negative thoughts before they hijack your emotions. Oh those emotions! Some folks are very emotional and others are not. Some folks’ emotions range real close to a line (i.e. a little above the line and a little below the line). Some folks’ emotions range from very low to very high above a line (i.e. they are considered very emotional folks). My mentor tells me—Things are never as good as they look or never as bad as they look. Soooooooo sometimes it’s good not to get toooooooo excited about something (i.e. this too will pass). If I had known that, I would not have got that excited (i.e. I over reacted once again I think). Do you know any folks who over react? Do you know any folks who don’t seem to have any excitement (i.e. boring)?
MissPerfect says--Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself. If you keep doing the next five years what you have been doing the last five years you probably will get the same results.
If I would have only known! Because I am a businessman, inventor and pastor, people often ask me about business or product ideas. This is a basic summary of the general information and guidelines that I give…I don't intend to be pessimistic but realistic. Roughly 80% of new products that are introduced into grocery stores will be off the shelves in five years. There is a 20% success rate among the big boys because if you get a product into a big chain store, it usually means that you are one of the major players…I never forgot what one of the top entertainment attorneys in Atlanta told me. We were entering into the music business decades ago and he said, "95% of the music the majors record loses money; they make their profit off of 5%. Whatever you do, don't go into this business with money that you need because the independents have a higher failure rate than the majors." That attorney gave me some of the best and most realistic advice that I have ever received. Those figures are not only true for the music industry, but they ring similar in many other industries…In five years, most startup businesses will simply go under. The figure ranges from 50% to 95% that fail in the first five years depending upon which source you quote and which industry. The reality is simply this: business, product and novel ideas are difficult and risky…I served on a bank board for years. On the bank board, the figure that we were given was that 90% of restaurants would fail in the first five years. The figure was equally high for night clubs and other entertainment venues…Often I have people come to me and they say that "God" told them to talk to me. Most also say that their idea came from God and that they are absolutely sure that it is divinely given and thus cannot fail. That's what 90% of the people say. Really, 90% of the people say that! Now I'm not questioning anyone's hearing from God, but I do know that the statistics of success of those who come to me are about average. With most of the concepts I can simply see from natural logic and experience that they are not likely to work. Perhaps that's why God did tell them to talk to me. It's not that the idea is bad, but there are a lot of factors to consider if it is to work…Someone with experience will be able to give you a realistic idea of how to go about your project or if it is even practical to pursue it (i.e. you need a good mentor). ~A MountainWings Original~Forward this issue to a friend or send them the link below: http://www.mountainwings.com/past/10078.htm
When in CO we took Erin for a walk to the park. We went past many houses in which the yards were in a variety of conditions. It looks to me that some folks thought—If I would have known it was going to take this much work to keep it nice I would have not done soooooo much work to it or if I would have known it was going to cost this much to do my yard I would have done a different plan (i.e. only half completed and it looks like…). If I only knew!
LuckieEddie says—We become like whom we hang out with. If I had known that I would have emulated someone else! SusieQ says—Someone imitating you is the greatest form of flattery (i.e. someone is emulating you and you are emulating someone). Are you a lot like your parents? Our little Erin repeated the same words Heater used to discipline the dog. Erin hit the flashlight just like James did when it didn’t work. Huh, interesting. We had breakfast with Rach (i.e. our niece) and John her husband when in the Denver area. She sounds just like my kid sister (i.e. her mother) on the phone. Huh, interesting. A good life is one of love and sacrifice. Suggestion—Find someone who leads a life of love and sacrifice and copy that person. MissPerfect asks—Whom are you influencing and whom are you influencing? I remember this from years ago (i.e. it just sticks in my head)—I saw a crazy boat driver on a lake and asked a friend who that was; they told me and said he was the 2nd craziest driver on the lake—sooooooo who is the craziest—His father!
This week I had the opportunity to attend a seminar about changing the church. Is it possible you think? ANYWAY I rode to the seminar with a couple of good folks (i.e. smart, caring and exciting and they have good hearts—my kind of folks). I had the opportunity to talk to several folks and picked their minds. I asked CFNeal (i.e. a guy who seems to see the big picture)—So how is your church doing in changing—we have set up many of the things suggested but we have a hard time implementing them it seems; We need to get past the superficial and really get to know each other; our culture is a cocoon society (i.e. don’t really want to get involved with other folks personally). Ya, talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whiskey! My opinion—Churches need to change to the needs of the people and not what upper management wants (i.e. by golly you are going to do it the way we tell you cause we have always done it that way). After the church fails, they say—If I would have only known that! Are you a risk taker? Is your church a risk taking church? Are the leaders of your church risk takers? It’s a lot easier to do it the same way you did it for the last 20 years. It takes a lot less effort. It's easy to be average! But the results are not soooooooo good. Like my friend says—Decisions have consequences!
His understanding I cannot fathom—God is God—And that’s just the way it is. When the goner gongs (i.e. our life on this earth is over) we might have a different understanding of a lot of things. We might think—If I would have known that I would of wanted to be more like Jesus (i.e. the perfect mentor). What do you think? GeorgeTheCrook says—Pondering this might cause me a “1,000 yard stare”.
Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:
erv
KR’s thought of the day—Sometimes we have to replace “what ifs” with some good old-fashioned “so whats”.
TheProfessor’sPithySaying—Choose to have a vigorous mind rather than a vigorous body-Pythagoras.
Joesixpack says--Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated. MissPerfect says--Yabut Joesixpack, you don’t know all the experiences I have had. Some are pretty ugly! I mean really ugly. If I had known before hand, I would not have those experiences. GeorgeTheCrook says—Think about all the positive experiences you have had that you tend to forget ‘cause you tend to dwell on the negative toooooooo much. All of those experiences make us who we are (i.e. as my mentor says—we are all programmed much like a computer—what you put in comes out). Such is life.
LuckieEddie says—You must learn to resist negative thoughts before they hijack your emotions. Oh those emotions! Some folks are very emotional and others are not. Some folks’ emotions range real close to a line (i.e. a little above the line and a little below the line). Some folks’ emotions range from very low to very high above a line (i.e. they are considered very emotional folks). My mentor tells me—Things are never as good as they look or never as bad as they look. Soooooooo sometimes it’s good not to get toooooooo excited about something (i.e. this too will pass). If I had known that, I would not have got that excited (i.e. I over reacted once again I think). Do you know any folks who over react? Do you know any folks who don’t seem to have any excitement (i.e. boring)?
MissPerfect says--Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself. If you keep doing the next five years what you have been doing the last five years you probably will get the same results.
If I would have only known! Because I am a businessman, inventor and pastor, people often ask me about business or product ideas. This is a basic summary of the general information and guidelines that I give…I don't intend to be pessimistic but realistic. Roughly 80% of new products that are introduced into grocery stores will be off the shelves in five years. There is a 20% success rate among the big boys because if you get a product into a big chain store, it usually means that you are one of the major players…I never forgot what one of the top entertainment attorneys in Atlanta told me. We were entering into the music business decades ago and he said, "95% of the music the majors record loses money; they make their profit off of 5%. Whatever you do, don't go into this business with money that you need because the independents have a higher failure rate than the majors." That attorney gave me some of the best and most realistic advice that I have ever received. Those figures are not only true for the music industry, but they ring similar in many other industries…In five years, most startup businesses will simply go under. The figure ranges from 50% to 95% that fail in the first five years depending upon which source you quote and which industry. The reality is simply this: business, product and novel ideas are difficult and risky…I served on a bank board for years. On the bank board, the figure that we were given was that 90% of restaurants would fail in the first five years. The figure was equally high for night clubs and other entertainment venues…Often I have people come to me and they say that "God" told them to talk to me. Most also say that their idea came from God and that they are absolutely sure that it is divinely given and thus cannot fail. That's what 90% of the people say. Really, 90% of the people say that! Now I'm not questioning anyone's hearing from God, but I do know that the statistics of success of those who come to me are about average. With most of the concepts I can simply see from natural logic and experience that they are not likely to work. Perhaps that's why God did tell them to talk to me. It's not that the idea is bad, but there are a lot of factors to consider if it is to work…Someone with experience will be able to give you a realistic idea of how to go about your project or if it is even practical to pursue it (i.e. you need a good mentor). ~A MountainWings Original~Forward this issue to a friend or send them the link below: http://www.mountainwings.com/past/10078.htm
When in CO we took Erin for a walk to the park. We went past many houses in which the yards were in a variety of conditions. It looks to me that some folks thought—If I would have known it was going to take this much work to keep it nice I would have not done soooooo much work to it or if I would have known it was going to cost this much to do my yard I would have done a different plan (i.e. only half completed and it looks like…). If I only knew!
LuckieEddie says—We become like whom we hang out with. If I had known that I would have emulated someone else! SusieQ says—Someone imitating you is the greatest form of flattery (i.e. someone is emulating you and you are emulating someone). Are you a lot like your parents? Our little Erin repeated the same words Heater used to discipline the dog. Erin hit the flashlight just like James did when it didn’t work. Huh, interesting. We had breakfast with Rach (i.e. our niece) and John her husband when in the Denver area. She sounds just like my kid sister (i.e. her mother) on the phone. Huh, interesting. A good life is one of love and sacrifice. Suggestion—Find someone who leads a life of love and sacrifice and copy that person. MissPerfect asks—Whom are you influencing and whom are you influencing? I remember this from years ago (i.e. it just sticks in my head)—I saw a crazy boat driver on a lake and asked a friend who that was; they told me and said he was the 2nd craziest driver on the lake—sooooooo who is the craziest—His father!
This week I had the opportunity to attend a seminar about changing the church. Is it possible you think? ANYWAY I rode to the seminar with a couple of good folks (i.e. smart, caring and exciting and they have good hearts—my kind of folks). I had the opportunity to talk to several folks and picked their minds. I asked CFNeal (i.e. a guy who seems to see the big picture)—So how is your church doing in changing—we have set up many of the things suggested but we have a hard time implementing them it seems; We need to get past the superficial and really get to know each other; our culture is a cocoon society (i.e. don’t really want to get involved with other folks personally). Ya, talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whiskey! My opinion—Churches need to change to the needs of the people and not what upper management wants (i.e. by golly you are going to do it the way we tell you cause we have always done it that way). After the church fails, they say—If I would have only known that! Are you a risk taker? Is your church a risk taking church? Are the leaders of your church risk takers? It’s a lot easier to do it the same way you did it for the last 20 years. It takes a lot less effort. It's easy to be average! But the results are not soooooooo good. Like my friend says—Decisions have consequences!
His understanding I cannot fathom—God is God—And that’s just the way it is. When the goner gongs (i.e. our life on this earth is over) we might have a different understanding of a lot of things. We might think—If I would have known that I would of wanted to be more like Jesus (i.e. the perfect mentor). What do you think? GeorgeTheCrook says—Pondering this might cause me a “1,000 yard stare”.
Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:
erv
KR’s thought of the day—Sometimes we have to replace “what ifs” with some good old-fashioned “so whats”.
TheProfessor’sPithySaying—Choose to have a vigorous mind rather than a vigorous body-Pythagoras.
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