Looking over facebook, twitter, news and blogs there seems to be a trend in topics. Will Denver, and their praying Saint QB, defeat one of the best QB's in the league? Will God give Tebow the victory? Does God care about football? My word on the subject... Maybe.
Among the many discussions you find the ever popular "good vs evil" argument. According to http://tantalizingworldtrends.com/2011/11/lady-catches-robbers-in-home-via-cctv.html this CBS report. The Patriots have recruited one of Denver's coaches to work for them recently. Some people may see this as a breach in ethics at the least, or maybe they see cheating at it's ugliest. Well, surely God will give Tim the victory over THIS?! Unfortunately, life doesn't always work that way. God has given us free will, and with that we make choices that allow evil to thrive, but know that in the end, "All things work together for good to those who love God..." Romans 8:28. That doesn't mean that God will cause the Patriots to lose the game, but it means that He will find a way to bring Glory to His name through His children like Tim.
Philippians 4:13 tells me that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The same book tells me in the 1st chapter that "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it." Does that mean that God will see Tebow all the way through the Superbowl? I don't think Paul had considered football when writing the Philippians. I'm guessing Paul was taking about their ministry. Not a Bible scholar, I don't want to lead anyone down the wrong road, so I encourage one to read it for oneself.
As Christians we must remember that while championships and trophies are fun and feel good in that moment, these earthy tokens are nothing when we consider what is waiting for us. God has indeed begun a good work in Tim Tebow, and it has nothing to do with football... outside of the fact that the NCAA and NFL have given him platform for which to spread His message. I believe that when all is said and done, Tebow fever has long since faded away and people have moved on to the next big thing, when Tim's earthly life is over and he meets his Heavenly Father, he will be able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." In turn the Good Lord will say to Tebow, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Remember... if we all try to live and love like Jesus, we will either change the world for the better, or get ourselves crucified. Either way, we would be in a much better situation.
God Bless... even the Patriots
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
I stand with them, because they stand FOR me. Semper Fi
I must admit that I took the following quote from facebook, and I personally have not verified these words. That said, I would like to tell you that I agree with the words said even if they were not those of Rep Allen West. The incident to which he is referring is the current circulating pictures of US Marines urinating on dead Taliban soldiers.
Rep. Allen West on the Marines Incident: "I have sat back and assessed the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers, Shugart and Gordon, had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu.
"Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah. All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill.
"Does anyone remember the two soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?
"The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps. It should be videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.
"As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell."
As General George Patton noted in 1944, "I hope the Lord has mercy on our enemies, because I won't."
Personally, I would like to add only this... GOD BLESS OUR MARINES, for they, and the other US Military branches, are the reason I sleep in peace at night without fear for my family and community.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Don't put off until tomorrow...
I am a horrid procrastinator. I'm probably the best procrastinator (who actually finishes the job) you will ever meet. (With the exception of my daughter's friend who has been known to begin lengthy term papers at 3 am when they are due at 8 am that day) That said, you should know that this is one of those "Do as I say, not as I do" moments.
Saturday is New Year's Eve. We all begin another year, and for some reason we've told ourselves that we can start with a clean slate. Of course, that doesn't mean that we face the world in perfection. After all, we are carrying in some baggage in the form of extra body fat, unfinished house hold chores, a lengthy "honey do" list, and probably a few "I'm sorry's" that have not been said. For some reason people still feel like this is the magic date that will allow all the flaws to float away. We can reset those goals that have seemed to fail each previous year, and we can do this with new hope.
Hog wash. (Sorry to burst your romantic bubble)
We all have things about ourselves that we wish were different. Unfortunately, we have a broken way to fix our bad habits that only allows January 1st for us to begin. What we neglect to remember is that these poor habits (or extra pounds) did not arrive quite as quickly as we're hoping they will leave. We have become the person we are over time, and it will take time to change that person.
Failing is part of life. We all fail. Can you imagine what kind of a person we would be if we succeeded at everything that we tried? We would probably begin to have a god complex. Yes, there are those people out there who seem to be good at everything, but they are not. In fact, most people often dwell on their short comings rather than their strengths. Why? I guess it's human nature. We want to fix it. It's easier to accept the bad in ourselves than to see the best. When we do fail, it's easy to want to give up. It's easy to give up on a new years resolution, because we "messed up" once. It's not so easy to give up a life style we are trying to build, realizing that "messing up" will happen.
In other words... Give up on the annual new years resolutions. Make the list of the qualities of the person you want to be, add in a few goal for each item on the list, and look at that list every day. At the end of each day, you may have fallen short in a few areas. However, tomorrow is another day that you will work to become that person. With perseverance you will find that each tomorrow will bring you that much closer to the person you want to be.
Remember, it's a daily way of life... not a weak resolution. Don't give up.
Saturday is New Year's Eve. We all begin another year, and for some reason we've told ourselves that we can start with a clean slate. Of course, that doesn't mean that we face the world in perfection. After all, we are carrying in some baggage in the form of extra body fat, unfinished house hold chores, a lengthy "honey do" list, and probably a few "I'm sorry's" that have not been said. For some reason people still feel like this is the magic date that will allow all the flaws to float away. We can reset those goals that have seemed to fail each previous year, and we can do this with new hope.
Hog wash. (Sorry to burst your romantic bubble)
We all have things about ourselves that we wish were different. Unfortunately, we have a broken way to fix our bad habits that only allows January 1st for us to begin. What we neglect to remember is that these poor habits (or extra pounds) did not arrive quite as quickly as we're hoping they will leave. We have become the person we are over time, and it will take time to change that person.
Failing is part of life. We all fail. Can you imagine what kind of a person we would be if we succeeded at everything that we tried? We would probably begin to have a god complex. Yes, there are those people out there who seem to be good at everything, but they are not. In fact, most people often dwell on their short comings rather than their strengths. Why? I guess it's human nature. We want to fix it. It's easier to accept the bad in ourselves than to see the best. When we do fail, it's easy to want to give up. It's easy to give up on a new years resolution, because we "messed up" once. It's not so easy to give up a life style we are trying to build, realizing that "messing up" will happen.
In other words... Give up on the annual new years resolutions. Make the list of the qualities of the person you want to be, add in a few goal for each item on the list, and look at that list every day. At the end of each day, you may have fallen short in a few areas. However, tomorrow is another day that you will work to become that person. With perseverance you will find that each tomorrow will bring you that much closer to the person you want to be.
Remember, it's a daily way of life... not a weak resolution. Don't give up.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Maybe I should write more often...
I have to confess, it's been so long since I wrote last that I forgot how to start a new post. Just in case there really is anyone out there reading, you should know that I don't want to write just to write. There are plenty of bloggers already doing that, and the world doesn't need another one. That said, I will try to write about my life lessons, thoughts, ideas and other things that I think may be helpful to my kids some day.
It's the Christmas season. Only 3 shopping days left! ...and of course, I'm not sure what else I need to get. Maybe I should start that list I was going to make a while back. Or maybe I'll be the one surprised on Christmas when everyone opens the gifts and I realize I forgot someone... oops.
My thoughts on the season are simple:
1. Christmas should be more about each of us celebrating the day Christ was given to us as a baby. It should be a private celebration between us and God that can be put into action by giving of ourselves, our time and our wealth to others in a sacrificial way that, in a small way, reflects His original gift.
2. Buying gifts for people who don't need (and often don't want) them is a waste of time, money and resources that can go to help those who do need those resources.
3. None of us can do EVERYTHING to help make this world a better place. But EVERYONE can do SOMETHING to do just that. ...and not just this time of year, but this is a good time to begin doing something every day.
People look forward to this time of year, because they get "warm fuzzies" from seeing all the good in the world. Why can't we have that all year? The answer is that we can. It only takes one person to buy a stranger's coffee in the drive through, be a good listener, or just smile and tell someone they look great today to start a chain reaction that can reach around the world. Just think... if we commit to do something for someone else once a day... what a difference we could make in our little part of the world.
I hope you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas! May God Bless you today, and always!
It's the Christmas season. Only 3 shopping days left! ...and of course, I'm not sure what else I need to get. Maybe I should start that list I was going to make a while back. Or maybe I'll be the one surprised on Christmas when everyone opens the gifts and I realize I forgot someone... oops.
My thoughts on the season are simple:
1. Christmas should be more about each of us celebrating the day Christ was given to us as a baby. It should be a private celebration between us and God that can be put into action by giving of ourselves, our time and our wealth to others in a sacrificial way that, in a small way, reflects His original gift.
2. Buying gifts for people who don't need (and often don't want) them is a waste of time, money and resources that can go to help those who do need those resources.
3. None of us can do EVERYTHING to help make this world a better place. But EVERYONE can do SOMETHING to do just that. ...and not just this time of year, but this is a good time to begin doing something every day.
People look forward to this time of year, because they get "warm fuzzies" from seeing all the good in the world. Why can't we have that all year? The answer is that we can. It only takes one person to buy a stranger's coffee in the drive through, be a good listener, or just smile and tell someone they look great today to start a chain reaction that can reach around the world. Just think... if we commit to do something for someone else once a day... what a difference we could make in our little part of the world.
I hope you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas! May God Bless you today, and always!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
I finally did it. My first mammogram. Scary? ...not really. Painful? ...more like uncomfortable. Expensive? ...about the price of a couple of months insurance premiums.
Last week I went in for my very first mammogram. No big deal, right? A vast majority of women in the US will do this in their lifetime. As a "mammogram virgin" I was a bit unsure of what to expect, and it seems that those who have gone before me all seem to have their own experience that usually includes, "...then they smashed the my boob flat as a pancake!"
As I entered the clinic, I noticed that it was quiet, not brightly lit but soothing. The lady at the front desk was very nice. I filled out the information sheet, and she took me back to get dressed. "Remove all clothing above the waist, and put on the hospital gown... opening in the front. Then you can have a seat in this next room." I did as I was told, and was quickly taken back to a room by a young (and by "young" I mean "shouldn't need to have her own mammogram for another 20 years!") lady. She was polite and very sweet as she described what was going to happen.
What I wasn't prepared for was her cold hands as she positioned my breast where she needed it to be. After multiple pap tests and giving birth twice, I'm used to doctors and nurses in certain areas... not so used to them in the "other" area. Weird. But the best part of the day was when she asked me if I was the wife of her husbands work associate. ...Yep, nice to meet you. I'd shake your hand, but it doesn't seem necessary since we've already been intimate.
I redressed, thanked them all, and left after they promised that they would call as soon as the doctor read the mammogram. They kept their promise, and called to tell me I needed to come back and have them "look at" my left breast again. "This is normal," she promised, "for first timers. The doctors don't have last year's pictures to compare it to, so they want to make sure that any little issues are covered."
This week, I went back in and had them "take another picture," sat in another waiting room, and then was told they were sending me to the hospital. "Don't worry, this is just routine." The mammogram didn't get the detail that the doctor needed, so you will need an ultra sound. I asked her what percentage of first timers go to get an ultrasound and she said, "about 10 percent." Okay... so I'm special.
I have not had an ultrasound since my last pregnancy 14 years ago. So I called my husband to tell him what was going on, text my girlfriend (who currently had breast cancer and is undergoing treatment), and drove to the hospital a few blocks away. "It's just routine," I kept telling myself... no worries.
I took my papers to the desk, and the lady there showed me where to undress (I got 2 robes this time), and where to wait. So I dressed and waited. ...and waited.... and waited.... After I had convinced myself that all was fine, I was left in a room with no radio or TV to sit and think about why I was there. Many many thinks go through your mind at this point. Not the least of which was, "I should have got that other life insurance policy."
I finally got into have the ultrasound, the doctor (whom I have yet to meet) read it, and wants me to come back in 6 months to see if there are any changes. Apparently what he thinks he saw were harmless cysts, but he wants to check again... I'm not sure if he needs a new car, or he's just real thorough.
Anyway... God is good. I have a few more bills to pay, but I now have time to go ahead and find another life insurance policy.
Last week I went in for my very first mammogram. No big deal, right? A vast majority of women in the US will do this in their lifetime. As a "mammogram virgin" I was a bit unsure of what to expect, and it seems that those who have gone before me all seem to have their own experience that usually includes, "...then they smashed the my boob flat as a pancake!"
As I entered the clinic, I noticed that it was quiet, not brightly lit but soothing. The lady at the front desk was very nice. I filled out the information sheet, and she took me back to get dressed. "Remove all clothing above the waist, and put on the hospital gown... opening in the front. Then you can have a seat in this next room." I did as I was told, and was quickly taken back to a room by a young (and by "young" I mean "shouldn't need to have her own mammogram for another 20 years!") lady. She was polite and very sweet as she described what was going to happen.
What I wasn't prepared for was her cold hands as she positioned my breast where she needed it to be. After multiple pap tests and giving birth twice, I'm used to doctors and nurses in certain areas... not so used to them in the "other" area. Weird. But the best part of the day was when she asked me if I was the wife of her husbands work associate. ...Yep, nice to meet you. I'd shake your hand, but it doesn't seem necessary since we've already been intimate.
I redressed, thanked them all, and left after they promised that they would call as soon as the doctor read the mammogram. They kept their promise, and called to tell me I needed to come back and have them "look at" my left breast again. "This is normal," she promised, "for first timers. The doctors don't have last year's pictures to compare it to, so they want to make sure that any little issues are covered."
This week, I went back in and had them "take another picture," sat in another waiting room, and then was told they were sending me to the hospital. "Don't worry, this is just routine." The mammogram didn't get the detail that the doctor needed, so you will need an ultra sound. I asked her what percentage of first timers go to get an ultrasound and she said, "about 10 percent." Okay... so I'm special.
I have not had an ultrasound since my last pregnancy 14 years ago. So I called my husband to tell him what was going on, text my girlfriend (who currently had breast cancer and is undergoing treatment), and drove to the hospital a few blocks away. "It's just routine," I kept telling myself... no worries.
I took my papers to the desk, and the lady there showed me where to undress (I got 2 robes this time), and where to wait. So I dressed and waited. ...and waited.... and waited.... After I had convinced myself that all was fine, I was left in a room with no radio or TV to sit and think about why I was there. Many many thinks go through your mind at this point. Not the least of which was, "I should have got that other life insurance policy."
I finally got into have the ultrasound, the doctor (whom I have yet to meet) read it, and wants me to come back in 6 months to see if there are any changes. Apparently what he thinks he saw were harmless cysts, but he wants to check again... I'm not sure if he needs a new car, or he's just real thorough.
Anyway... God is good. I have a few more bills to pay, but I now have time to go ahead and find another life insurance policy.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Breast Cancer Awareness Month... October
Lately I've been hanging out with a friend of mine who was diagnosed with "Triple Negative" Breast Cancer. I don't know what that means, but I know that they have given her about 2 years to live. She has agreed to be part of an experimental treatment program, and, with the help of Heaven, she is fighting her terminal diagnosis like hell.
My OBGYN actually retired about 6 years ago. I was not yet 40, and he had not suggested that I get my mammogram. I have never had one. In fact, I have not had a pap test in the past 6 years as well.
Because of my friend's heart and courage, I have been inspired to make an appointment for the tests. I'm not looking forward to it, but I will do it. There are, however, a few issues to consider. The main issue is that until about a year ago, I had health insurance. My HSA plan was supposed to pay for everything after I payed the first $5000. The premium had doubled in a few short years, and we decided that it made more sense to make payments AFTER something happens than it was to pay their rising premiums for service that we never used.
People say, "How can you do that? What if something BAD happens?!" Well, here's how I figure it: Premiums for a plan that had a $5000 deductible (that we never hit), plus what ever deductible we actually pay out was totaling about $4400 per year. Now, if I were to save that $4400 per year I could potentially insure myself for an expensive emergency (Average visit ranges from $1600 - $6500). More serious situations could take several years to pay off.
If I were to be diagnosed with a terminal illness, I currently have life insurance that would help my family recoup a good deal of that expense.
I guess my point is that when you weigh the chances of something bad happening vs the cost of the insurance, I believe we reached a point of diminishing return. Does that mean that I expect the government to take care of me? No. I plan on doing my best to pay what I can. Anything that my insurance would have covered would be possible for me to repay anyway.
Here's hoping (and praying) that we get a clean bill of health... That I'll be paying for myself.
My OBGYN actually retired about 6 years ago. I was not yet 40, and he had not suggested that I get my mammogram. I have never had one. In fact, I have not had a pap test in the past 6 years as well.
Because of my friend's heart and courage, I have been inspired to make an appointment for the tests. I'm not looking forward to it, but I will do it. There are, however, a few issues to consider. The main issue is that until about a year ago, I had health insurance. My HSA plan was supposed to pay for everything after I payed the first $5000. The premium had doubled in a few short years, and we decided that it made more sense to make payments AFTER something happens than it was to pay their rising premiums for service that we never used.
People say, "How can you do that? What if something BAD happens?!" Well, here's how I figure it: Premiums for a plan that had a $5000 deductible (that we never hit), plus what ever deductible we actually pay out was totaling about $4400 per year. Now, if I were to save that $4400 per year I could potentially insure myself for an expensive emergency (Average visit ranges from $1600 - $6500). More serious situations could take several years to pay off.
If I were to be diagnosed with a terminal illness, I currently have life insurance that would help my family recoup a good deal of that expense.
I guess my point is that when you weigh the chances of something bad happening vs the cost of the insurance, I believe we reached a point of diminishing return. Does that mean that I expect the government to take care of me? No. I plan on doing my best to pay what I can. Anything that my insurance would have covered would be possible for me to repay anyway.
Here's hoping (and praying) that we get a clean bill of health... That I'll be paying for myself.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Cancer...
When we are young, illness, surgery and hospitals seem to be things we associate with old people. And by old, I mean over 30. As we age, we see them as realities and hardships that our friends and family go through. Every once in a while the "C" word enters the picture and we find ourselves asking questions we never dared to ask. Why me? Why them? How did this happen? What did I do wrong? And then we realize that cancer strikes for many reasons as often as it kills for no reason at all.
Steve Jobs died today. Steve was one of the founders of Apple, and most will tell you he was the reason for their success. At 56, he had more money than most people even dream about, yet it couldn't buy him a victory in his fight against cancer. His brilliance and vision has been compared to Walt Disney and Thomas Edison, but he didn't have the knowledge to cure himself.
Cancer is an evil opponent who never fights fair. Cancer doesn't care that you are rich, smart, good-looking or kind. It fights hard, and dirty. Sometimes you think you've beat it, and it quietly returns to claim it's victory. Although some have beaten it, no one wishes to fight a battle against cancer. It's a war that chooses it's victims, and leaves them no choice.
There is hope.
A beautiful friend of mine has been fighting breast cancer. She was diagnosed with a non-curable form of breast cancer, but she chooses to fight with an experimental treatment. Understanding that there is no cure, she has her life in order as she keeps a positive attitude and shakes her fist in the face of death. She has 4 children and a loving husband who are by her side. With their support, and her faith in God's plan for her life, she battles this horrid disease with an amazing attitude. She is a bald blessing in her pink chucks and matching purse. When you see her you will not feel sorry for her you will smile, because she is smiling.
I don't know what God's plan is for my friend, but I pray for her often. When she asks for prayers, it's not for herself but for her family. She is concerned for them. They can't bear to think of life without her, and who can blame them. I know my life has been blessed because she has been in it.
As my friend reminds me, there is always hope. God is in control, and we can handle all things with his help.
Steve Jobs died today. Steve was one of the founders of Apple, and most will tell you he was the reason for their success. At 56, he had more money than most people even dream about, yet it couldn't buy him a victory in his fight against cancer. His brilliance and vision has been compared to Walt Disney and Thomas Edison, but he didn't have the knowledge to cure himself.
Cancer is an evil opponent who never fights fair. Cancer doesn't care that you are rich, smart, good-looking or kind. It fights hard, and dirty. Sometimes you think you've beat it, and it quietly returns to claim it's victory. Although some have beaten it, no one wishes to fight a battle against cancer. It's a war that chooses it's victims, and leaves them no choice.
There is hope.
A beautiful friend of mine has been fighting breast cancer. She was diagnosed with a non-curable form of breast cancer, but she chooses to fight with an experimental treatment. Understanding that there is no cure, she has her life in order as she keeps a positive attitude and shakes her fist in the face of death. She has 4 children and a loving husband who are by her side. With their support, and her faith in God's plan for her life, she battles this horrid disease with an amazing attitude. She is a bald blessing in her pink chucks and matching purse. When you see her you will not feel sorry for her you will smile, because she is smiling.
I don't know what God's plan is for my friend, but I pray for her often. When she asks for prayers, it's not for herself but for her family. She is concerned for them. They can't bear to think of life without her, and who can blame them. I know my life has been blessed because she has been in it.
As my friend reminds me, there is always hope. God is in control, and we can handle all things with his help.
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