Observations (3): Fiddlers and re-numeration

Good evening everyone. Welcome once again. I'm very glad that you're here and believe that you'll benefit from this chapter. You may even enjoy it. Well....some of you will, others will not. At any rate, I'm happy to see you here and reading. I'm providing finger foods and light refreshments tonight, so serve yourselves and find a seat.
I'm guessing that at least some of you are wondering about the odd title for to nights chapter. I'm even betting that my daughters know before reading any further. It's from an old adage that goes like this: "If you dance to the music, the fiddler has to be paid". Some I'm sure have heard that but some I'm sure haven't. It simply means that if you make decisions, either good or bad, (and we all do constantly) we have to live with the outcome of them. Sometimes the outcome comes in the form of consequences and other times it comes in the shape of reward. Sometime the result of a decision is somewhat gray in color and sometime it's very black and white. A couple of examples are: A young lady is either pregnant or she's not, very black and white, while in the same vein, one can question whether one's marriage was the best decision, something that can be black and white but can also be somewhat in the gray area. It's been my experience that if I make a bad decision and am able to hide the result I still have to live with that decision. It's in mind and heart always. This author has made His share of decisions, both good and bad, and has always tried to face the result, whatever that might be, with courage. I suggest that is a good course of action for us all, but first of all, I suggest that we, everyone, think carefully through each and every decision and choice before we make it, as best we can. Second, take responsibility for the choices. Don't try to shift the blame, if indeed, there is blame to bear. If we successfully shift any blame to someone or something else it only makes it more probable that we're going to make the same decision or choice all over again. Usually with the same result. Facing up to the responsibility makes it easier to make a better choice next time. Third, any decision we make we have to live with, but others often have to live with our choices, as we have to live with other's decisions. OK, enough. Just bear in mind that we you or I dance to the music the fiddler, indeed, ALWAYS has to be paid. A parting suggestion? Think, feel and pray, about every choice and decision of any magnitude.
...........And so it goes...........

A special day.......

Good morning! I'm very happy to have you, once again, reading this chapter of this blog. I hope you're having the best day possible and that you're recognizing God's blessing in your life this day. You know that their are many blessings, right? OK, OK. Just a reminder. ( :-D ) On to the title of today.
This is indeed a special day for me. If you look back to the chapter this time a year ago you'll see essentially the same words. Today, if He were still alive, Dennis would be having a birthday. Dennis, for those of you that don't know or don't remember, is the brother that passed away in the year nineteen sixty three. After all of this time, however, I still remember with a great deal of fondness His life of seventeen years. The mischievousness of his personality. The twinkle of His eyes when He was up to something. The work ethic that He'd developed in such a short life span. I've said many times, that if Dennis weren't into some mischief He was looking for it to get into. What a loving and protective brother He was! Even after all of these years I remember Him with such clarity. The smile, the laugh and the body language that was His. Dennis was the healthiest guy I knew, which is the reason for the extreme shock at His death after such a short illness. He was only sick for about a month. Anyway, happy birthday Dennis! You are still missed and thought of very frequently! ..........And so it went..........

In Memoriam

Good evening once again all. I know it's been a little while since my last post and I, once again, apologize. I'm back now though. My left elbow, the one hurt in the auto accident, has been giving me some pain and it's a bit painful to type. As a matter of fact, it's sort of a white knuckle experience sometime. I'm told it's due to the inflammation. Oh well! Life goes on, right?
My chapter this evening is to pay tribute to someone very special that passed away a short time ago. She is my first cousin (is because her memory is now and will always be, alive). Her name is Gay Nell. Let me endeavour to tell you all a bit about Gay. She was 60 years old when she left this life, and what an extraordinary life it was! I was, just a couple of days ago, trying to remember a time in my entire life that Gay didn't have a smile. Not only a smile but words of hope and encouragement for all. Another thing that is remembered by everyone is her enduring faith in God. I'd like to know just how many lives she touched with that faith. The number would be very high! I suppose one of the best legacies she left was that when anyone speaks of her they always have a smile on their face with the memories they have. Gay, we all miss you being with us, but know that you are always in our hearts and thoughts. So now, I close this with a smile ..............And so it goes..........

Observations: 2) Dancing Porcupines

Good morning all. Yes, I hear the gasps of everyone as you realize that I've actually come back to the keyboard. I acknowledge that it has been a while...as so we'll go on from here, OK? It's a beautiful Sunday morning and I've just returned from the patio in my backyard where I enjoyed a rare cup of coffee while watching the sunrise and listening to my small part of the world come to life. What an exhilarating experience! I thought of many of you as a rooster began his day by calling to the world around him. As if on cue a couple of crows awoke and began cawing to each other as they flew off in search of some food. Begging mention are the insect world as they began talking and moving about. WOW!!! It was great. OK, OK. On to the curious title for this chapter.
In the short span of my life I've had the opportunity to "observe" some of it. In the last chapter I mentioned the 'camel' syndrome. Here today, it's about how we humans unknowingly take on a characteristic of the porcupine. It's about how, on a very cold night, a group of porcupines are together. As the night gets colder they begin to move closer to each other for warmth, but alas, as they get close they begin to stick and be stuck with their quills. As a consequence they deliberately move away and isolate themselves so the pain won't be there. At this point the 'pain' isn't there, but alas, once again they find themselves getting cold and alone so they once again move close to the other porcupines for warmth. Again, with the same result, so they once again withdraw to a more pain free environment. As this continues in the course of their night it begins to resemble a weird sort of dance where they're constantly in motion and getting no rest. It occurs to me at this juncture, that we humans are quite like that too. We get lonely so we move in for warmth and companionship, but as the "quills" of other people begin to stick us we withdraw to less painful place. Only to, once again, become isolated and alone, and only to once again, move toward others. It becomes, sadly enough, a lifelong 'dance' for some people because they never seem to figure out how to overcome this behavior. Now, before anyone asks, I don't have anyone specific in mind. Well, maybe a few names come to the fore, but I, of course, will not mention them. Allow me to say, however, that there is a better way to live. There is a way to live life not in the 'dance' mode. OK, enough on this posting but there will be more forthcoming. (and not so long this time). ........And so it goes........

Observations: 1) Loaded camels

Good evening! Welcome to this chapter of this blog. Please come right in and make yourself at home. I'm serving finger sandwiches and cookies along with some other light refreshments tonight. So, have a seat and make yourself comfortable while snacking and reading. I'm glad you're here.
I know you're all thinking at this juncture, 'what a funny title'. Well....I do admit that at first glance it is a funny title. However, I ask your indulgence until you finish reading. I'm betting at that point it will be a bit more clear.
This chapter isn't actually about camels, except metaphorically. I'm sure you've all heard the old expression "The straw that broke the camel's back", right? If not, a quick explanation is in order. For those that have heard it please bear with me for a moment. It's in reference to a camel whose back is loaded with straw. As it stands, straw is continually loaded on it's back, until the point that it's loaded with the maximum load it can stand. Then finally, someone puts one more small straw on the stack and it's the final weight that breaks the back of the camel. OK, end of explanation and on to the point. In retrospect of the life of the author of this blog and having watched for many years the lives and behaviors of other people I've come to the conclusion that many times we're all like that proverbial camel. Standing and walking through life, constantly having people and circumstances adding to the load that we consistently carry around. A point or two about that and a few suggestions about how to cope with it. Point one is....the adding of the straw to the back of the camel is done so slowly and gradually that the camel, in the short term, doesn't realize that the added weight (or stress) is there. It's not until much time as gone by that it can identify that something has indeed changed and the going is harder. Point two....since we're 'supposed' to carry the load and cope with life while carrying the load, we assume that it's 'normal' to be that burdened. Actually, it's not 'normal' to be constantly carrying that much stress around with us all the time. While we come to see ourselves as 'beasts of burden' with all the stress we're under, we can deal more effectively with it. There is, indeed, a better way to live. Point three....it can be very discouraging, while we stagger around under the load we carry, to see others look at us from time to time and then walk away. Whether they don't see or don't care, the result is the same. So, we continue walking around in our lives, struggling to maintain our walk and composure, and all the while being loaded with one more straw at a time. Suddenly we realize "hey, this is getting too heavy". However we continue walking and plodding along wondering when the final devastating straw will be added. A suggestion is in order here, don't you think? Suggestion one....Look to God and seek help from Him. He is the source that never fails us. Prayer! Suggestion two....Look around you as you walk, and find someone whose load is heavier than yours. Do this in order to offer encouragement and hope, and even offer to carry a bit of their load. I know it sounds weird but doing that will actually make your and their loads easier and lighter. So, my fellow camels, on a final note of encouragement from a camel who's back has been broken and been mended by the God of heaven, look up and take heart. You can do it! .........And so it goes.........

Revealing the Quest..........

Good morning all. Yes, you read that right. It is early morning and I'm up late. Well, later than usual. I have to get to bed very soon so I can go to Church this morning. OK, enough of the excuses, right? Pull up a chair and relax as you read this as I attempt to give the answer that I promised. I have to say here, that some came very close to the answer.
'The quest' in question in this blog is the search that we've all undertaken in order to find an answer. I know that in my life I've asked the "W" question many, many times. The "W" question being 'why'. I ask the question many times for every friend I lost in Vietnam. I ask the question many times when my wife began changing. I ask the question many times when I was told that I had cancer. I ask the question many times when I began recovering from a horrific car accident. Probably several thousand times over the course of time. In all of that time and after all of that asking I never got an answer to those questions. I have given that much thought and have come to some, what I believe, are right and healthy conclusions. Conclusion one: for us to know those answers would mean that we could know the future and that is not something that God has given us the ability to do. We can barely handle the past, what makes us think that we could handle the future. That would make us not need or want a relationship with God. Conclusion two: If we knew the answer to all of those "why's" we would have the wisdom of God, and again, not need or want a relationship with Him. Conclusion three: Knowing the answers would make us proud and haughty, and once again, we would try putting ourselves on the same level as God, thus not wanting or needing Him. Conclusion four: Knowing those answers would make us not seek the will of God in our lives and not search for the presence of God. Conclusion five: Knowing those answers would destroy our faith, simply because we wouldn't need it. We'd feel ourselves to be sufficient unto ourselves, right? Having realized these things I decided that we understand what we can, after that Faith takes over. We have to walk through life not knowing the answers but knowing that God does. That, beloved friends, is what I call "tough faith". Tough because we're scared. Tough because each step we take is uncertain. Tough because trusting is the hardest thing to do at that point. Tough sometime because our heart is anguished with pain and grief and loss. Tough sometime because we're squarely facing our own mortality and the reality of possible death. There are many reasons to ask why but only one basic reason to accept not having an answer. Because our God wills it so and we love and trust Him. OK, I'll conclude beloved friends, so you can comment by whatever means you chose. Please feel free to agree or disagree, in part or in whole, to whatever degree you that you do. Another chapter soon. .........And so it is...........

The Quest..............

Good evening and welcome. I am, once again, very glad to have you drop by. It's been a few days since posting my last chapter and I've been delighted with the response. Thank you all for faithfully checking back from time to time. I've opened the bar and have most anything you'd care to drink. I even brought some pretzels and nuts so serve yourself and be comfortable as you read.
Before I talk about the quest mentioned in the title I'll give somewhat of an explaination. The "quest" I'm talking about comes about in the life of every person that lives to some degree of maturity. It always comes in the form of a question. I know I've asked this particular question almost countless times. So, before posting the rest of the chapter I'm going to give everyone a chance to respond by stating what they think the question is. You can respond by commenting on this blog or to the email address listed above. I'll wait a couple of days before posting another chapter that gives the answer. So, you all let me know what you think. .........And so it goes............

The ride unforgettable......

Good evening all. I'm happy to have you drop in and visit. Make yourselves comfortable. I hope you notice that I've opened the bar, although the only thing served is cranberry juice. Hey, don't complain, it's good for you. ( :-D ) Anyway, pull up a chair and relax as you read and sip the refreshing juice.
After some thought I decided to tell an amusing story that took place many years ago. Before you ask, yes, it really did happen. I was about 12 years old when we (the whole family) went, one Sunday afternoon, to visit an uncle and his family. In that family was two boys, one a bit older than I and the other about my age. After a while I became bored with our activities and decided to look around on my own. Behind their house I found a bicycle in very good condition, except for....not having a chain. I was intrigued with the possibilities. After contemplating my options for a little while I decided on the 'hill'. Let me at this point talk a little about the 'hill'. My uncle's house was located on a very firm and extremely well packed dirt road. In most places it was only wide enough for one vehicle. The house was at the bottom of a very long and very steep hill. The 'hill' was about 200 yards long, and as was previously mentioned, very steep. About halfway up the hill was a curve to the left and forest was on both sides of the road. I think you now have the picture in mind, right? The option I chose was to push the bicycle to the top of the 'hill', which took quite a while, as I had to stop several times to rest. However, having reached the top of the 'hill', and having counting to "3" approximately fifty three times, I took in a deep breath and shoved off on my, what turned out to be, very long and very quick journey. Let me add at this point that while pushing and wrestling the bicycle to the top of the 'hill' that all of the 'older folks' had decided to come out on the front porch and sit while they talked. They had hardly been seated when, yep, here I came. Let me remind you that the bicycle had no chain, which meant that not only could I not pedal but it also meant that I had no brakes. Not that brakes would have done very much good. When I reached the bottom of the 'hill', my intention was to push back to the top of the 'hill' and come down again. That, as it turned out, was a pipe dream. When I did indeed reach the bottom of the 'hill', I was going an estimated fifty to sixty miles an hour. My clothes and my hair were flapping and waving in the wind and it was hard to breath, as the wind was sucking the air right out of my mouth. So, there I was, streaking along with drool streaming out of my mouth and my eyes burning from the force of the wind. I remember being actually surprised with the effects of the high velocity air. I'm told that when I went by the 'old folks' stood up in astonishment. I didn't see them because I was so greatly focused on the road. I'm only glad that my Dad couldn't get his hands on me at the moment, that he had a little while to 'cool off'. Upon reaching the bottom of the 'hill' it eventually occurred to me that, since I didn't have a chain, I was going to have to coast till I rolled to a gentle stop. Looking back, I'm surprised that I'm not still on the bike and still coasting. I coasted, it seems, about one mile. That put me almost to the highway. Again, looking back, I was very fortunate to not have met a vehicle coming the other way. If I had I'd have had to head off into the woods that surrounded the road. Not a good prospect if one is going fifty miles an hour on a bicycle with no brakes. Let me not forget to mention that somewhere along the journey I went through a large cloud of gnats. I know this because I took about half of them with me plastered on my shirt, arms and face. Ahhh....the follies of youth. I'm sometimes amazed that we any live till adulthood. Such was the ride that was so unforgettable, to so many, for so long. ........And so it went.............

Searching for Mike............

Good afternoon all. Yes, believe it or not, I'm actually on the web and posting a chapter on this blog. I know a lot of people have been wondering where I've been and why I haven't been posting. Well, I'll tell you the truth about it. (as soon as I know too) OK, all kidding aside, here it is. I just needed a break to figure out in which direction to take this endeavor. I've talked to some people and gotten some input and made a decision in that regard. So, if you all will kindly be patient with me, I promise that you'll all see as time goes on the result of that decision. I am going to be posting regularly on here. Although I've decided on the what I'm still deciding on the how. Exactly how I'll post what I'm going to write I'm still praying and meditating about. So, in short, later this evening, or maybe tomorrow, I'll be back with the first chapter in quite a while. I appreciate you're patience and willingness to inquire about myself and the blog. So.......I'll see you again in a little while. ............And so it goes...........

Here I am............

Good evening everyone. Just a quick note to say that my sabbatical is now at a close. I've taken a bit of time away to do some thinking about the direction this is going to take. There is more on the way, so keep checking back. .........And so it will be...........

The Easter of the broken heart........

Good afternoon everyone. Yes, I'm actually posting this chapter in the afternoon instead of the evening. Go figure! ( :-D ) This will be a short chapter, as I'm going to do something I very rarely do. I'm going to talk a bit about me. I don't talk about me very much, preferring instead to listen to others. I won't, therefore, offer any refreshment since you'll be through reading this before you could finish a drink.
Today would be, if she were living, Yvonne's birthday. (Yvonne was my wife) I'm remembering with a broken heart the ten years we had together that were so great. I'm also remembering with a broken heart the other years we had in which she degenerated into mental illness. I won't go into detail. It was a time of great confusion since I didn't know what was happening. I only knew that she was steadily changing and didn't know why. As I look back I grieve her life. A life so vibrant, and yet a life so tragic. She was the love of my life then and I don't understand anymore now than I did then what happened or why. I just try to accept it. I work at that daily. So, here I sit, with a life full of love to give and no one to give it to. One of life's little ironies, huh? She'd have been fifty six today if she were still here. Happy birthday Von! .........And so it went............

The green, green grass of...............

Good evening once again everyone. Welcome back to this blog and thank you for coming and spending your valuable time here. You'll notice that I've removed all of the old chairs and replaced them with cushy recliners. Pick one out and place your order. Since it's not too late I'm serving whatever is legal. ( :-D ) I even have some bottled spring water for someone special. Is that you? I bottled it myself but I won't tell you the source. ( :-D ) Anyway, I'm glad you're here and reading. Relax and enjoy yourselves. Now on to the subject for tonight........
This will be the last chapter on the subject of 'Love', unless I have requests for more. In that case we can explore it a bit further. I've pondered at great length about how to put into words what I want to say in this chapter. In short, I'd like to talk about our responsibilities in a relationship that is Loving. I'll limit this post, in interest of time and space, to three areas of responsibility that we each have. These are areas in which you and I alone have sole discretion in decision making. We can listen to other peoples views and advise, but in the end it's our own choices in these areas that decide our behavior and ultimately the fate of the relationship we're in. The first thing we'll look at is how you and I view ourselves. Do you see yourself as someone of worth? Do you treat yourself as someone of worth? Most of us have issues that make that difficult. Some of these issues are from a childhood that was flawed in some way. That creates problems that we have to live with daily. Some of these issues come from a previous relationship (or relationships) in which betrayal was involved. Betrayal to any degree makes us feel many times like we're worth less than we are. All of this is a part of our human nature, but it isn't something that we can't work through. Sometime with some help. We each though, in the end, are responsible for remaining the way we are or recognizing that we need some help in making changes and actually working to make those changes in how we think happen. A final thought on this is, our worth is not dependent on how a relationship goes (or doesn't go).
The second area of responsibility in a loving relationship is, even though it's crucial, often very neglected. It's working to be lovable. How can we expect someone to love us if we're not someone that can be loved. So often we act selfish, angry, spiteful, sarcastic, etc. and then wonder why our mate isn't as loving as we'd like he/she to be. There are two critically important things that must occur with regularity to keep that from happening. Let me first say that I'm not talking about the occasional times that we feel bad or down. When we've had a bad day. I'm talking about when we're like that on a daily basis. When that is, for us, more the norm than the exception. The first of the two things is that we must often examine ourselves and ask the tough questions. The questions being, "am I easy to love?" and "if I were my mate could I easily love me?" Then comes the harder part, which is of course, answering yourself candidly and honestly. If you don't do that then don't bother to ask the questions at all. Being someone that is easy to love is half of the equation and essential for both in a relationship to work on. (and it is work though worth the effort) The third area of responsibility is to be able to give love. That's the part that often gets all the attention. Let's face it! Sometime we're all hard to love, right? We have to remember though, that when our mate is the hardest to love is when they need our love the very most. That's the time what we have to 'work' at giving our love. If we will give the work that this takes the grass will always stay greener at home than in other places. OK, OK, I'll stop! Just don't throw anymore tomatos. I sincerely hope and pray that this series on 'hope, faith and love' has been helpful but mostly I hope it causes us all to take stock of ourselves and how we live. .....................And so it goes...............

When I say I love you...................

Good evening all. Welcome! Pull up a chair and kick back. I'm happy to have you here. Your showing up has made my day, well, my night actually. Please place your order for refreshment and it will be served up promptly. Oh yeah, don't forget to leave a generous tip for your host.
( :-D ) Tonights chapter is a continuation on Love. The topic on Love we're discussing this evening is 'what is it'. It is, undoubtedly, the most maligned, misused and mistreated word in the English language. It is taken in context with things best referred to as 'lust' and 'desire'. We use it when referring to something like a sandwich, a car, a house, a job (the list is endless). Taken in it's true context those things would be best referred to as I 'like' it. It's mostly taken out of context when referring to a physical relationship. That is, of course, a part of it, but only a small part. This evening we're going to explore a bit about 'what exactly is Love'? Again, let me say that this is not to be considered an exhaustive look at Love. Hopefully though, it will pique your longing to know more. It is, without doubt, the most potent and powerful force known to mankind. OK, on to the definition(s). Of all the places I've looked and all the research I've done I like the usage of the Greeks the best. Where we have one word "Love" they have several. I'm not going to try to talk about all of them but only three. Many of you out there reading this probably know all about this and probably know more about it than I do, but since I'm the one posting this chapter I'll do the talking. The first word I'll mention here is "Agape". It' s the most used in the New Testament scriptures. For me the most significant places it's used is I Corinthians chapter thirteen. In this particular place we're told that Love should be the motivation and the method for all we are and all we do. When we talk about the Love of God that's the kind we're talking about. When we're talking about giving our life for another it's the kind spoken of. I could go on for a long time about this but won't, in the hopes you'll learn about it on your own. If you want some more about this special type of Love you have only to let me know. Another place it's used is in John, chapter twenty one, starting at verse fifteen. Two times Jesus asks Peter does He 'agape' Him. The third time Jesus asks using the word "Philios". Peter, on the other hand uses the word "Philios" all three times in his answering. OK, on to the second. It's called "Philios". From it we get the name of a city in Pennsylvania. (Philadelphia) From this word we get the meaning of loving someone like a brother or sister. It's that long and enduring and trusting friendship that is created by a bond and exists because of that very bond. It's the kind of love that says ' I'll give my life for you, not only in death but in life '. It says ' I'll be there for you no matter what. No matter if your right or wrong. I'm there. OK, on to the third. It's not actually in the New Testament but it's equivalent is in the Old Testament. The Song of Solomon to be more precise. The word in the Greek is "Eros". The word came from one of the mythological gods of which the Greeks had so many. He was the god of desire, sex and in some cases fertility. From that word we get our word 'erotic'. It's associated with pornography and such things. In it's real sense though, it carries no 'bad' or 'dirty' connotations. Let's now wrap this up. There should be in our lives in every relationship Agape and Philios. Those are what makes a relationship good and strong. They make a friendship lasting and good. Let me now, in closing this chapter, make this statement. While every friendship and relationship will do well with the first two there is only one relationship ordained by God to have all three. That, my friends, is the marriage relationship. While Eros can ruin any other relationship, it is required in a marriage. It's the only relationship that can be made better and more healthy because of it. We should keep that in mind always. OK, OK! I'll close this for now, but first let me say that this chapter has two purposes. One is to expound to you more about Love as it's intended. The other is to set up the next chapter posting. I've already started on it, and it's in draft form now. So, keep checking. You're coming here to read this blog makes my day. ...........And so it goes............

The Promise.......

Good evening. I'm happy to see you all here and breathless with anticipation. Let's all pull up your chairs and have a seat while placing your orders. After you receive your order you can prop up your feet and sip your beverage while taking in this, another chapter. This post is a continuation of the last and long ago post introducing this series. Sorry it's been so long but I've had a lot to study and contemplate so I've taken my time.
This chapter is on the "Promise" of Love. That has taken a lot of meditation and study on my part which I've thoroughly enjoyed. The more I thought about it the more I realized that I had my work cut out for me in this chapter. Also, being one to be thorough and have every basis in truth, I decided to take all the time it took. Finally, I decided to give it a try and write this chapter. Soooo....here goes.
The promise of Love is so vast as to defy exploration. In order to simplify things I've broken it down into two parts. Let me say, at this point, that there is no simple way to describe the Promise of Love. I shall try to not be too simplistic as this is no simple thing. These two points are in no particular order. First, there is the eternal part of the promise. As I said in the last chapter, Love is from a single source...God the creator. That being the case we can go on to say and conclude that from Love comes these things. First) Joy. Notice I didn't say happiness. There is a vast difference between joy and happiness. Joy does not depend on circumstances for it's existence. Joy is in place in our lives because of what's on the inside of us, not what's on the outside, as is the case with happiness. Second) is contentment. Notice again that I didn't say satisfaction. One can be content without being satisfied. Contentment comes from a state of mind. Satisfaction comes from seeking to fulfill desires of our human nature. Third) is peace. Peace is not, as is popularly believed to be, the absence of war or strife. Peace comes from liking ourselves and loving who we are on the inside. Peace comes from accepting that we are fallible, making mistakes often, but knowing that doesn't detract from our worth. Our worth comes only from the God that created us. Forth) is discipline. Love makes us want what is best for us, regardless of any temptation otherwise. The ability to say 'no' to those things that we know aren't what we need, IE. food, a relationship, alcohol, drugs (the list is almost endless). At the same time, the ability to say yes to those things that are good and even essential to us, again an almost endless list. Having the Love of God in our life gives us all these things and Oh! so very much more. OK, I'll stop here with that list, although it could go on for a while longer. The second part has to do with our relationships. The Promise of a Loving relationship is the dream and hearts desire of us all. To Love and have the Love of someone that is special to us makes us complete in a sense. We everyone have in our natures the longing to Love and be Loved in the most real sense of the word. Now that takes us to a whole new chapter so I'll use this as a place to end this post and introduce the next one. Since I've done much of the study and research on this I won't be so long between posting. The next post will explore what Love is as far as relationships are concerned. So, I'll leave you here and invite you all back for that chapter. ..........And so it goes..........

Ahhhh...How do I Love thee...let me count the way !

Good evening! Welcome to yet another chapter in this blog. I've added more chairs so pick out one and have a seat. I have a full menu of drinks tonight so let me know what you want. I even have bottled water. It's a special kind, straight from the mountains of Tibet, for those of you that are picky. :-D I myself will have some coffee topped off with some Baileys. Ahhh...now this is living. OK, enough. On to the topic for tonight.
As promised we're going to pursue Love. Let me say here that this will not be an exhaustive treatise on the subject. The purpose of this is to give light to some wisdom about it. Pure and simple. So please don't think that Love is simple enough to fit into a simple man's simple blog. It certainly isn't. Having said that we'll proceed.
The source. This is actually easily put. Based on Holy Scriptures, specifically I John, chapter four, verse eight, we have the answer. So you don't have to look it up I'll put it in quotes here. "He that Loves not knows not God, for God is Love". So there, ladies and gentlemen, you have it. Love comes from God. If you're in Love you have that ability because God gave it to you. If you love anyone in any way, family and friends for example, you have that ability because God gave it to you. We come into this world with an acute desire to be loved and nurtured. After we grow a bit we have the desire to love back. Usually family first. The word Love is probably the most misused and corrupted word known to mankind. It's equated with sex, lust, desire, pornography, homosexuality and other deviate behaviors. The only thing that Love has to do with any of that is that it simply isn't there. Those things exist because of a lack of real Love. In this series I won't be using the words 'true love' because they've become so attached to meanings that have little to do with Love itself. I'll, instead, be using the words 'real Love'. I hope when this series is over you'll understand why I make that distinction. Any pattern of thought or behavior that doesn't reflect the Holy image of God isn't Love and has little or nothing to do with Love. Love is a very special thing brought to be by a sovereign God. Any deviation from what God intends for it to be and it ceases to be Love in the truest sense of the word.
OK, enough for now. Let me say again, this isn't meant to be exhaustive, but to give you some insight and the desire to know more about it. A good place to start in your search for more is I John, chapter four, verses eight through eleven. You're invited back as we delve more deeply into this subject. .........And so it goes.......

The gospel according to.......John, Paul, George and Ringo???

Good Morning all. I'm glad you all are taking the time to read this, another chapter in the continuing saga of Mike's blog. Since it's eighteen degrees outside, and I'm still chilled to the bone from having worked outside yesterday (it barely made it to freezing) I'm offering a limited menu of beverages. There are four choices: coffee or chocolate or coffee or chocolate. You pick which of the four you'd like. :-D Anyway, the most important thing is that you stay warm and relaxed as your read and enjoy.
The posting of this chapter finds us on to something else. Something that everyone has experience with, or has experienced in the past. For some it's been a wonderful and life changing thing, for others it's ranged from mildly bad to horrible. In spite of the experience though, we all crave and demand it. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure any of us could live without it. The irony is though, most don't even know what it truly is. As JL, PM, GH and RS sang "all you need is Love". Well...not 'all' you need. When I was nineteen and just married, my teenage bride and I tried living off of Love. We both lost a lot of weight we didn't need to lose, but I'd highly recommend the diet. Very effective and the most fun of any diet I've heard of. Anyway, my way of saying, there is more to life than Love but I can think of nothing more essential. It ranks right up there with water and food. In this, and subsequent postings, I'd like to talk a bit about Love. It's source, it's promise, what it is, the fulfilling effect it has on our lives and it's potential effects, both positive and/or negative. I suppose one could call this chapter a 'tease' because I'm stopping here. I will though, in the next day or so begin posting on this. I'd be happy to have you join me in the journey. ..........And so it goes.........

I'm back....sort of.

Good Morning. Just a quick note to say that I'm going to start posting to the blog again. Frankly, I've been a bit discouraged with it but seem to working through it. :-) Anyway...a short post here.
I've been contemplating the connections between Hope and Faith. A quick word about it then on to something else. 'Hope' and 'Faith' are so interconnected as to be non-existent if one is removed. The reason we can have faith is because we have Hope. The reason we have Hope is because of our Faith. Would you agree. In my travels through life I've noticed the inseparability of the two. The longer I live the more firmly that precept is re enforced. I'll be back with more posts in a couple of days on a new yet old part of life. Something that makes life worth living.
.........And so it goes.........

Faith..........continued.

Good evening again all! Welcome back. I told you that it wouldn't be so very long this time, huh? I attempt to be a man of my word, so here I am. Step in and claim your seat. Place your orders and your refreshment will be served right up. Oh, yeah. No one would drink the water last time since it wasn't filtered, so I added a filter. ( :-D ) OK, OK. I'm being quiet on that now. On to the reason for this chapter. We talked a bit about "Faith" last chapter. Now we'll continue that. The first ingredient was believing. Believing in what? Ah, therein lies the question for us all. Then we continued on to Trust. Let us not mix up faith and trust. Trust is an important ingredient but isn't the whole thing. Now let us go on to the next ingredient. Without this next one our faith is only a word. It comes from Holy Scriptures, from the book of Hebrews chapter eleven verse one. If you look in the King James version it'll have the word 'substance', right? That was a good word to use in the days of King James, but in today's vernacular it would be easier understood if it read 'reality'. In the original Greek language it's written "stasis". (two different 's' sounds) Literally it means to know something so surely that you stand effectively and unimpaired. Read this way you could say the writer is saying that in everyday living our Faith is what makes God real to us. Said another way, Faith is what makes God real to everyone around us. He becomes our reality because of our Faith. OK, to the next ingredient. It comes from the second part of the same verse. The word I'll use is 'Proof'. The literal Greek word is " elegxos ". The King James uses the word evidence. Again, a good word in the days of King James, but the word 'Proof ' is much better when using today's English. It's used in the context of a Judicial hearing or court case. In court, the one with the most compelling 'evidence' is the winner. (well, it's supposed to work that way) Better said, the one with the "proof " carries the day. In our everyday living our Faith is very often the best " proof " of the God in which we so devoutly believe. Sometimes, for some people, it's the only " proof " that they ever see. So, it's up to us to show God through our Faith. It's our reality and their proof. OK, enough for tonight. If you want more on this word just let me know in the comments. If I don't see that I'll continue to the next and last word for this series of chapters. So, with that said, I'll ease out and let you enjoy this chapter on Faith. ........And so it goes.........

News of a sundry nature...and ..."Word number two".

Good evening all. Let me acknowledge first of all that I've been delinquent in this, the next chapter. For that I apologize and promise to try to do better. In reality though, this post required some research, which I've done, but still feel ill qualified to write, but on the other hand it's my blog and if I don't who will? ( :-D ) Last time, after offering mint juleps, I had a request for, of all things, water. So, I'm adding water to the menu of items offered. With that said, pull up your chair (most have assigned seats now) place your order, enjoy your beverage and read. The news I spoke of in the title is this. I went to my arm Doctor last Wednesday and was told that my elbow is in great shape. I think the words He used were 'It couldn't look better'. I, not wanting to under go another such surgery, was more than happy to hear that. Crissy and I spent a fun filled evening at B. B. Kings blues club the night before the appointment and that was a really great treat for me. I wish Kim could have gone too. We missed her being there and commented on that. OK, enough of the news and on to the word for this chapter. (and maybe others to follow too) The word is (drum rolllllllllllllllll)..........Faith. Again, let me say that I feel singularly unqualified to do the writing for this but here goes. Faith is a word of immense proportions. It's used rather freely and glibly in our society and language. There are several theories about the source of the word but the most commonly held view is that it came from the Latin. The Latin word was "fides" from which we also get our word 'confide' from. It meant to have a hard, unshakable and firmly held belief. I'll touch on different 'ingredients' of the word as we know it. Let me say here that for me it's a very seriously held word. I suppose the first ingredient would be "belief". We all have a belief system by which we live. That system governs our thought processes and behavior in our walk everyday. If you know a persons beliefs you'll be able to easily figure out their values (or lack thereof), their priorities (or lack thereof) and future behaviors. Our belief systems are often neglected because most don't give any thought at all to it. The question for you and I to ask tonight (and lots of other nights) are...What do I belief and why? The next ingredient is 'trust'. Most of us think that faith and trust are mostly interchangeable. Let me emphatically say here that they are not. Trust is a part of faith. If you remove trust faith fails but the same can be said for belief. Oh yeah, some other words to come also. Trust is, like most everything else, a choice. It's easily destroyed and long and slowly built. I don't think that there is anyone in the world that hasn't been guilty of destroying the trust others have had for us. Most of us, if given the chance, can rebuild that trust but it's a long, slow and arduous process. At the same time, we've all lost trust for someone else and they've had to rebuild it. Wow, this could be the longest chapter ever, huh? This is the basics and the best is yet to come. At least it was the best and most exciting for me. So, on that note, I'm going to close this chapter with the promise to continue it in a couple of days. The research being done, I promise it won't be more than a day or two before the next exciting chapter in "Mike's blog". So, keep checking in. ...........And so it goes..............