Today is a dreary day. It reminds me of when I was in the consulting business. I used to fly from Nashville to Toronto every Monday morning and back every Friday afternoon--for almost a year. Some days would be like this--dreary and gloomy. But as the plane gained altitude, higher and higher, we would eventually break through the clouds to a glorious sunny day with the sunlight glinting off the tops of fluffy white clouds.
I was reminded then that the sun is always shining--we are just not able to look high enough to see it sometimes. I was also reminded that in our spiritual walk--we feel we cannot see the Son sometimes. But he is always there for us--if we just get high enough to see him.
Remember if you don't feel as close to God as you once did--guess who moved?
Have a blessed day.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
What WLS means to me--the short list.
I have lost a little less than half the weight that is my goal and that I need to lose.
Things are going so much better for me, and I feel so much better. One of the most amazing side effects of this surgery, so far, is my diabetes. I was diabetic since 1994 and had to take medicine every day to control the sugar levels in my blood. Since my surgery, I have not taken a single shot of insulin or any medication for my diabetes. Thank God and the doctors hands He guides for this miracle.
Below are a number of hopes I have for this surgery and the resulting eating and exercise plan that I am involved in to eliminate the disease of morbid obesity, and to maintain a healthy weight.
Be warned it a short list--off the top of the head--There is so much more.
God Bless and have a wonderful day.
I am looking forward to not being the person who everyone that tells a story uses to illustrate size such as, "Hell Gary--they were as big as you".
I am looking forward to getting out of the house when I want and doing what I want.
I am looking forward to NOT being the largest person in the room.
There is a myriad of co-mobilities that are disappearing such as Diabetes (gone) Sleep Apnea (better), Hypertension (working on this), Arthritis, Bursitis, other joint pain (improving).
So many physical improvements--shoe tying, Hygiene issues, walking, exercise, movie seats, sports events, concerts. Living instead of existing. Really being healthy and feeling good most of the time instead of rarely. This is my short list--there is so much more. We will talk more later.
Things are going so much better for me, and I feel so much better. One of the most amazing side effects of this surgery, so far, is my diabetes. I was diabetic since 1994 and had to take medicine every day to control the sugar levels in my blood. Since my surgery, I have not taken a single shot of insulin or any medication for my diabetes. Thank God and the doctors hands He guides for this miracle.
Below are a number of hopes I have for this surgery and the resulting eating and exercise plan that I am involved in to eliminate the disease of morbid obesity, and to maintain a healthy weight.
Be warned it a short list--off the top of the head--There is so much more.
God Bless and have a wonderful day.
I am looking forward to not being the person who everyone that tells a story uses to illustrate size such as, "Hell Gary--they were as big as you".
I am looking forward to getting out of the house when I want and doing what I want.
I am looking forward to NOT being the largest person in the room.
There is a myriad of co-mobilities that are disappearing such as Diabetes (gone) Sleep Apnea (better), Hypertension (working on this), Arthritis, Bursitis, other joint pain (improving).
So many physical improvements--shoe tying, Hygiene issues, walking, exercise, movie seats, sports events, concerts. Living instead of existing. Really being healthy and feeling good most of the time instead of rarely. This is my short list--there is so much more. We will talk more later.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Another Reminder--God Bless our Troops and God Bless the USA
Remember our troops and their families and support them with prayer and any help you can give them if and when the opportunities arise.
I think this deserves a re-post in case anyone missed it. it is powerful and beautiful. i just about cry every time I see and hear it!
Please click on the link below--and listen to some troops thoughts, beautifully done!
If I Die Before You Wake - Powered by FlashPoint
Source: g.dwgsee.com
I think this deserves a re-post in case anyone missed it. it is powerful and beautiful. i just about cry every time I see and hear it!
Please click on the link below--and listen to some troops thoughts, beautifully done!
If I Die Before You Wake - Powered by FlashPoint
Source: g.dwgsee.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I think I saw God Today-- on my Morning Walk
The Early Morning Walk
I think saw God today--
The birds were singing--(Robins and Mocking birds). The grass in the yards along the neighborhood smelled and looked great! At the end of my Cul-de-sac there is a small pond with ducks swimming and splashing. The trees are beautiful. I walked for 30 minutes. This from a guy who was home bound and could hardly walk across a room four months ago Yeah, I'm almost sure I saw God today!!
I think saw God today--
The birds were singing--(Robins and Mocking birds). The grass in the yards along the neighborhood smelled and looked great! At the end of my Cul-de-sac there is a small pond with ducks swimming and splashing. The trees are beautiful. I walked for 30 minutes. This from a guy who was home bound and could hardly walk across a room four months ago Yeah, I'm almost sure I saw God today!!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Another beautiful thought of wisdom from proverbs.
"I just love me some proverbs in the morning. "Smells like victory"
Proverbs 29
1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.
5 Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure.
15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19 A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief [a] in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
24 The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he is put under oath and dare not testify.
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that man gets justice.
27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
Proverbs 29
1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.
5 Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure.
15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19 A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief [a] in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
24 The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he is put under oath and dare not testify.
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that man gets justice.
27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
Friday, August 21, 2009
What a beautiful writing (poem) from Proverbs
Proverbs 30 (New International Version)
Sayings of Agur
1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an oracle : This man declared to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal: 2 "I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!
5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
7 "Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD ?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
10 "Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will pay for it.
11 "There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers;
12 those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth;
13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful;
14 those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind.
15 "The leech has two daughters. 'Give! Give!' they cry. "There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, 'Enough!':
16 the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, 'Enough!'
17 "The eye that mocks a father, that scorns obedience to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.
18 "There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.
20 "This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong.'
21 "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
22 a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food,
23 an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress.
24 "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces.
29 "There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing:
30 a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing;
31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king with his army around him.
32 "If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth!
33 For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.
Sayings of Agur
1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an oracle : This man declared to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal: 2 "I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!
5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
7 "Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD ?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
10 "Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will pay for it.
11 "There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers;
12 those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth;
13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful;
14 those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind.
15 "The leech has two daughters. 'Give! Give!' they cry. "There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, 'Enough!':
16 the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, 'Enough!'
17 "The eye that mocks a father, that scorns obedience to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.
18 "There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.
20 "This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong.'
21 "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
22 a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food,
23 an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress.
24 "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces.
29 "There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing:
30 a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing;
31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king with his army around him.
32 "If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth!
33 For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Invictus
This poem by William Ernest Henley, stresses the trials a soul and body have gone through--yet has not given up on life and will do what it takes with the help of God to battle the evils that have assaulted the physical and spiritual being. I think it is the perfect poem for the battle against obesity.
By : William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
This poem by William Ernest Henley, stresses the trials a soul and body have gone through--yet has not given up on life and will do what it takes with the help of God to battle the evils that have assaulted the physical and spiritual being. I think it is the perfect poem for the battle against obesity.
By : William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Weight Loss Update
This is so cool!
I have lost over 100 pounds in the last 4 months. I am so thankful for this tool that is allowing me to get healthy. That's right--I called it a tool--because it is NOT a magic bullet that makes weight fall off magically.
WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) helps with your appetite and in some cases gives an amount of mal-absorption to keep some of the calories (as well as the nutrients from being absorbed into the system.) But one still has to eat the correct amount of the correct food and exercise like a fiend to lose weight quickly. It is not the easy way out as many think, and it is not bullet proof. If you do not make a lifestyle change commitment--you can gain all the weight back and more. My hats off to those long-timers who have had the perseverance to stay at goal for years. That is my goal. I do not want to go back where I was with no life. I don't think I can stand it.
I have lost over 100 pounds in the last 4 months. I am so thankful for this tool that is allowing me to get healthy. That's right--I called it a tool--because it is NOT a magic bullet that makes weight fall off magically.
WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) helps with your appetite and in some cases gives an amount of mal-absorption to keep some of the calories (as well as the nutrients from being absorbed into the system.) But one still has to eat the correct amount of the correct food and exercise like a fiend to lose weight quickly. It is not the easy way out as many think, and it is not bullet proof. If you do not make a lifestyle change commitment--you can gain all the weight back and more. My hats off to those long-timers who have had the perseverance to stay at goal for years. That is my goal. I do not want to go back where I was with no life. I don't think I can stand it.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The wisdom of Our Forefathers
How did Jefferson know???
"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe."
Thomas Jefferson
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
"Thomas Jefferson
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
Thomas Jefferson
"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."
Thomas Jefferson"
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
Thomas Jefferson
" The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
Thomas Jefferson
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson
"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which hedisbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson said in 1802 : "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."
Talk about seeing the future!!!
"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe."
Thomas Jefferson
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
"Thomas Jefferson
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
Thomas Jefferson
"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."
Thomas Jefferson"
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
Thomas Jefferson
" The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
Thomas Jefferson
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson
"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which hedisbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson said in 1802 : "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."
Talk about seeing the future!!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Perspective
Luke 12 (New International Version)
16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."Do Not Worry 22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest.
I really began to think about perspective yesterday. As you can imagine--most of my concentration for the past four months has been on losing weight, learning to eat healthy, and exercise. Then something happened that reminded me of the above Bible verses, and about how easily our perspective can change.
I've started with the Bible passage--now let's recall the story together. Now you must understand that this story came from a different time in our history. It would not be at all politically correct to tell this today, and just my recalling it to you may cause many to be upset. It was a story that taught me a lesson, however so.........
......Here goes anyway. Back in the late 1950's or early 1960's people from the south of the USA were thought to be different than from other parts of the country. Admittedly there was some factual basis for some of the opinion held, but there were also a lot of stereotypes. For example, it was considered factual, that all white people from the south were racist red-necks, an uneducated sort of individual that scraped a living from the land when they were not moon-shining, hunting, fishing or trying to marry some relative.
It was thought that people of color were slower in the south, lazy, uneducated, and unable to hold positions of responsibility. It was even thought that people of color should not vote. Now--not all people thought this way--but this was the prevailing perspective of a great many people in the US population.
One of the ways back then that news was distributed was through monthly magazines, and there were some famous monthly periodicals. One such magazine was particularly famous for its pictures and the ability to tell a news story with the single snap of a camera.A news editor thought one day about what a remarkable idea it would be to send one of his most famous photographers to the southern states to get a picture capturing this peculiar cultural phenomenon and so without hesitation--he sent his most famous--his very best photographer to accomplish this task. Hopefully the photograph would be ready before the next edition, because there had been some unusual trouble between the white and colored people down south.
As the photographer worked his way through Dixie, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, he suddenly came upon a scene he could not believe. Sitting in a straight cane bottom chair, in the shade of a tree at the end of a field of cotton, was a gentleman using a hoe to remove weeds from the crop--a common practice in the south. At least most of the people who partook in this activity had the gumption to stand and if required stood in the sun as they completed this necessary task so that their cotton could grow and they could make a little money to live on.
The photographer was beside himself. This was the shot. It captured exactly what he was looking for from this "middle American". A man so lazy that he forced himself to do what he had to do, but yet found a way to exemplify this cultural phenomenon he was after.
The photographer needed the perfect shot and he might not have much time. Daylight was escaping, but he needed to change position so he could get all the elements in the photo. He needed the chair, the hoe, hopefully some expression on the farmer’s face that exuded the angst of having to do this task.
The photographer moved closer, being careful not to alarm the subject of his intentions. He sat the camera, got the sunlight in the correct spot, focused and was ready to take the shot...when suddenly he saw it.
It was a fleeting moment just before he had everything perfect, when he noticed the farmer's pant leg hung empty. There was also the pair of crutches leaning against the cane bottomed chair. As he watched the farmer tossed the hoe forward. Got the crutches, grabbed the chair and manipulated it further up the row. Sitting down the chair he wiped his brow, bent and got the hoe and began to cut the weeds expertly from the cotton plants.
Immediately, the change in the photographer’s perspective transformed the farmer from a lazy, racist, red-necked, slow uneducated, irresponsible southerner to a hero who would do what it took to make life better for him and his family.
The photographer took the picture and loaded his equipment with tearful eyes. His attitude had changed, just because he had to change perspective for a photograph. What if he had not had to move the camera?
Now--I have no idea if this is a true story. I heard it as a child. It changed my perspective.
Today someone that I know who was happy that they had lost lots of weight and had things going her way and was happy, let me know that her husband lost a long fight with a mental illness and left this world. Her perspective on what made her happy had changed.
We have to change our perspective. Left, Right, White, African-American, Latino, Legal, Illegal, change---all are important. What must be most important, from my perspective is that we see all sides, pray to our God, vote our conscience and be Americans and make sure our views are good for our Country and its entire people.
God Bless you and God Bless the USA
16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."Do Not Worry 22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest.
I really began to think about perspective yesterday. As you can imagine--most of my concentration for the past four months has been on losing weight, learning to eat healthy, and exercise. Then something happened that reminded me of the above Bible verses, and about how easily our perspective can change.
I've started with the Bible passage--now let's recall the story together. Now you must understand that this story came from a different time in our history. It would not be at all politically correct to tell this today, and just my recalling it to you may cause many to be upset. It was a story that taught me a lesson, however so.........
......Here goes anyway. Back in the late 1950's or early 1960's people from the south of the USA were thought to be different than from other parts of the country. Admittedly there was some factual basis for some of the opinion held, but there were also a lot of stereotypes. For example, it was considered factual, that all white people from the south were racist red-necks, an uneducated sort of individual that scraped a living from the land when they were not moon-shining, hunting, fishing or trying to marry some relative.
It was thought that people of color were slower in the south, lazy, uneducated, and unable to hold positions of responsibility. It was even thought that people of color should not vote. Now--not all people thought this way--but this was the prevailing perspective of a great many people in the US population.
One of the ways back then that news was distributed was through monthly magazines, and there were some famous monthly periodicals. One such magazine was particularly famous for its pictures and the ability to tell a news story with the single snap of a camera.A news editor thought one day about what a remarkable idea it would be to send one of his most famous photographers to the southern states to get a picture capturing this peculiar cultural phenomenon and so without hesitation--he sent his most famous--his very best photographer to accomplish this task. Hopefully the photograph would be ready before the next edition, because there had been some unusual trouble between the white and colored people down south.
As the photographer worked his way through Dixie, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, he suddenly came upon a scene he could not believe. Sitting in a straight cane bottom chair, in the shade of a tree at the end of a field of cotton, was a gentleman using a hoe to remove weeds from the crop--a common practice in the south. At least most of the people who partook in this activity had the gumption to stand and if required stood in the sun as they completed this necessary task so that their cotton could grow and they could make a little money to live on.
The photographer was beside himself. This was the shot. It captured exactly what he was looking for from this "middle American". A man so lazy that he forced himself to do what he had to do, but yet found a way to exemplify this cultural phenomenon he was after.
The photographer needed the perfect shot and he might not have much time. Daylight was escaping, but he needed to change position so he could get all the elements in the photo. He needed the chair, the hoe, hopefully some expression on the farmer’s face that exuded the angst of having to do this task.
The photographer moved closer, being careful not to alarm the subject of his intentions. He sat the camera, got the sunlight in the correct spot, focused and was ready to take the shot...when suddenly he saw it.
It was a fleeting moment just before he had everything perfect, when he noticed the farmer's pant leg hung empty. There was also the pair of crutches leaning against the cane bottomed chair. As he watched the farmer tossed the hoe forward. Got the crutches, grabbed the chair and manipulated it further up the row. Sitting down the chair he wiped his brow, bent and got the hoe and began to cut the weeds expertly from the cotton plants.
Immediately, the change in the photographer’s perspective transformed the farmer from a lazy, racist, red-necked, slow uneducated, irresponsible southerner to a hero who would do what it took to make life better for him and his family.
The photographer took the picture and loaded his equipment with tearful eyes. His attitude had changed, just because he had to change perspective for a photograph. What if he had not had to move the camera?
Now--I have no idea if this is a true story. I heard it as a child. It changed my perspective.
Today someone that I know who was happy that they had lost lots of weight and had things going her way and was happy, let me know that her husband lost a long fight with a mental illness and left this world. Her perspective on what made her happy had changed.
We have to change our perspective. Left, Right, White, African-American, Latino, Legal, Illegal, change---all are important. What must be most important, from my perspective is that we see all sides, pray to our God, vote our conscience and be Americans and make sure our views are good for our Country and its entire people.
God Bless you and God Bless the USA
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Quick Update
Sometimes, we fail to realize how good we have "it". I suppose the "it" I am referring to are the blessings from God. We will discuss this in detail later.
In the meantime just to let all my "many" followers know that over the last couple of weeks I have been in the hospital with pneumonia, past my 3 month surgerversery, and lost a total of 93 pounds since 4/18/2009. It is all good even though the pneumonia has been rough. I will write some more about this as I feel better, but just remember--God is good--all the time.
In the meantime just to let all my "many" followers know that over the last couple of weeks I have been in the hospital with pneumonia, past my 3 month surgerversery, and lost a total of 93 pounds since 4/18/2009. It is all good even though the pneumonia has been rough. I will write some more about this as I feel better, but just remember--God is good--all the time.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Judging Others
Matthew 7:1-5 (New International Version)
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
There is a story told about two farmers in Tennessee (my home state, of course). It seems these farmers were walking together in one of their fields, when an angry bull suddenly appeared and began to chase them.
The farmers--not being foolish, realized they were not going to be able to out run the bull, so they wisely split up so at least one of them (presumably the fastest) would be safe.
As luck would have it as the bull chased one of the farmers, he came upon a tree and safely climbed out of the angry bulls reach.
The bull, still raging mad, whipped around and spied the other farmer as he was headed toward a hill in the distance. The bull immediately headed for the frightened farmer, but once again as luck would have it, the winded, frazzled farmer spied a small cave and dove into it just before the bull could reach him.
The enraged bull snorted, pawed the ground and headed back to the tree, looking up at the farmer he could still see. Suddenly the other farmer came racing out of the cave toward the bull. This distracted the bull, and he chased the farmer back to the cave, just missing him as he once again dove into the cave.
The bull returned to the tree, bellowing in anger at the farmer in the tree. To that farmers amazement, the other farmer again raced out of the safety of the cave toward the furious bull. With disbelief he watched the bull chase the farmer toward the cave. He was overcome with gratitude for the other farmer trying to give him a chance to escape--but he knew he wasn't going anywhere until the bull was long gone.
The farmer in the tree thought it might be good to give his friend some timely advice. As the other farmer dove for the cave once again, the farmer in the tree yelled, "You know, if I were you and I knew that bull was out here, I would stay in that cave!"
As the other farmer made a desperate leap into the cave he yelled back, "And if you were me you would know there is a bear in that cave!"
Now as with most stories like this, there is a moral to this story. The moral is that it is easy to sit safely up in a tree and make judgements about other peoples lives and actions. The trouble is, that usually information is limited. You have not lived their lives, walked in their shoes nor understand their situation. But somehow you feel that self-righteous duty to pass judgement on our fellow humans.
Perhaps in the future--it would be wise to remember the words of Matthew in the 7th chapter above, and always remember there could be a bear in the cave we do not know about.
Have a blessed day!
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
There is a story told about two farmers in Tennessee (my home state, of course). It seems these farmers were walking together in one of their fields, when an angry bull suddenly appeared and began to chase them.
The farmers--not being foolish, realized they were not going to be able to out run the bull, so they wisely split up so at least one of them (presumably the fastest) would be safe.
As luck would have it as the bull chased one of the farmers, he came upon a tree and safely climbed out of the angry bulls reach.
The bull, still raging mad, whipped around and spied the other farmer as he was headed toward a hill in the distance. The bull immediately headed for the frightened farmer, but once again as luck would have it, the winded, frazzled farmer spied a small cave and dove into it just before the bull could reach him.
The enraged bull snorted, pawed the ground and headed back to the tree, looking up at the farmer he could still see. Suddenly the other farmer came racing out of the cave toward the bull. This distracted the bull, and he chased the farmer back to the cave, just missing him as he once again dove into the cave.
The bull returned to the tree, bellowing in anger at the farmer in the tree. To that farmers amazement, the other farmer again raced out of the safety of the cave toward the furious bull. With disbelief he watched the bull chase the farmer toward the cave. He was overcome with gratitude for the other farmer trying to give him a chance to escape--but he knew he wasn't going anywhere until the bull was long gone.
The farmer in the tree thought it might be good to give his friend some timely advice. As the other farmer dove for the cave once again, the farmer in the tree yelled, "You know, if I were you and I knew that bull was out here, I would stay in that cave!"
As the other farmer made a desperate leap into the cave he yelled back, "And if you were me you would know there is a bear in that cave!"
Now as with most stories like this, there is a moral to this story. The moral is that it is easy to sit safely up in a tree and make judgements about other peoples lives and actions. The trouble is, that usually information is limited. You have not lived their lives, walked in their shoes nor understand their situation. But somehow you feel that self-righteous duty to pass judgement on our fellow humans.
Perhaps in the future--it would be wise to remember the words of Matthew in the 7th chapter above, and always remember there could be a bear in the cave we do not know about.
Have a blessed day!
Monday, July 20, 2009
How Much are you worth?
As an obese person--I have been so tired of being judged by the way I look. The prejudice that comes from those judgmental stares--the overheard remarks--some true--but some not.
The following is a refreshing thought that I read and would like to share with you today. It is entitled "Valuable to God". It doesn't necessarily have to do with obesity--but isn't it nice to know there is One who judges the value on the inside--and wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all judge by the "content of character"--not the "color of skin"--or the money we have or etc. etc,
"Martin Luther King"
Valuable to God
He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage. Proverbs 11:28
A certain rich man died and the question was asked at his funeral, "How much did he leave?"
"He left it all,"came the reply.
Often I hear someone introduced this way: "This is Bob and he works for .......,"as if where a person works or what a person does determines his or her value. (I have noticed it is usually only the well-to-do or those who are thought of as "successful" who are introduced this way.)
Yet, God does not judge us by our success. He loves each person the same. Your value and mine does not come from what we do, the clothes we wear, the house we live in, or the type of car we drive. Our value comes from the fact that God made us and loves us, and Christ died for us. Our value comes from the fact that He adopted us into His family and we are now His children forever. Don't depend on possessions or position for your identity. Get your identity from Christ, for you are of infinite worth to him!
Please note--I believe this was written by Billy Graham. It is from a devotion Book called "Hope for Each Day"
The following is a refreshing thought that I read and would like to share with you today. It is entitled "Valuable to God". It doesn't necessarily have to do with obesity--but isn't it nice to know there is One who judges the value on the inside--and wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all judge by the "content of character"--not the "color of skin"--or the money we have or etc. etc,
"Martin Luther King"
Valuable to God
He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage. Proverbs 11:28
A certain rich man died and the question was asked at his funeral, "How much did he leave?"
"He left it all,"came the reply.
Often I hear someone introduced this way: "This is Bob and he works for .......,"as if where a person works or what a person does determines his or her value. (I have noticed it is usually only the well-to-do or those who are thought of as "successful" who are introduced this way.)
Yet, God does not judge us by our success. He loves each person the same. Your value and mine does not come from what we do, the clothes we wear, the house we live in, or the type of car we drive. Our value comes from the fact that God made us and loves us, and Christ died for us. Our value comes from the fact that He adopted us into His family and we are now His children forever. Don't depend on possessions or position for your identity. Get your identity from Christ, for you are of infinite worth to him!
Please note--I believe this was written by Billy Graham. It is from a devotion Book called "Hope for Each Day"
Saturday, July 18, 2009
So--why did you do this to yourself?
Question Item 1. Why did you allow yourself to gain to the ungodly weight of 448 Pounds?
Answer--wish the hell I knew. But since this is supposed to have some information about me--let's get on with what I know you will find the boring stuff--the stuff you have heard hundreds of time. Let's call it my life's story.So here we go.
I was born and reared in rural middle Tennessee I was born into abject poverty. My Father left when I was six months old--Mom could not afford to keep me. My Grandparents took me in--God Bless them. They were sharecroppers. So we moved from area to area and crop to crop and lived in sharecropper's shacks. Nutrition was not high on the list of important issues--not being hungry and eating what we could get was. That was usually high carbohydrate, high calorie food. We did not eat "high on the Hog" and if we had meat it was poor quality, fat, high calorie and not high in protein. Feel sorry for me yet? Don't! It was how we survived--and I dare say there are many surviving the same way today.
This did create a problem for me though. I gained weight--and I remember in second grade the teacher making a really big deal out of me weighing 165 pounds at the age of seven years. She wasn't nice either. I never liked her, and although she is probably long dead--I never will. I don't want to bore you now with the rest of my life. I had tough times, but I overcame for a long time. I was blessed with a good IQ and graduated 12th in my high school class and was the first in my family to graduate from college magna cum laude. I had good jobs, made good money, married a wonderful woman--things should have been good.But the damnable weight--keep coming and coming--like a plague; and for the life of me I could not stop it. It disabled me. I suffered from clinical depression, Type II diabetes, Hypertension, sleep apnea, Arterial fibrillation, arthritis, bursitis, Heart attack, and so on.
Finally, I could not live anymore. I just existed--day to day. Same thing--sleep, eat, medication, sleep, eat, sleep. No one to talk too, not able to drive, not able to work--just exist. I got so tired of it--I planned the easiest way to end it for me--and my wife.
Question Item 2. Why weight Loss surgery?
Simple--I wanted to live. I had heard about and researched weight Loss surgery (WLS). I did not have the financial means since I could no longer work, but knew the minute that it was possible, I would do it. I knew there were risk--like dying--but I did not care. I was not living anyway. So on 4/28/2009 I had the RNY Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass. I have to date lost 80 pounds and my life has changed dramatically. This blog--like thousands of others will be about my journey. I will post the good and bad. I have had successes and failures. I am not a consummate blogger--as you see, but this will be an honest assessment of what happens to me. I hope people read it, like it, learn from it and enjoy it. If not, to be honest--it's mostly for me anyway. Have a blessed day and I will post more at a later date.
Answer--wish the hell I knew. But since this is supposed to have some information about me--let's get on with what I know you will find the boring stuff--the stuff you have heard hundreds of time. Let's call it my life's story.So here we go.
I was born and reared in rural middle Tennessee I was born into abject poverty. My Father left when I was six months old--Mom could not afford to keep me. My Grandparents took me in--God Bless them. They were sharecroppers. So we moved from area to area and crop to crop and lived in sharecropper's shacks. Nutrition was not high on the list of important issues--not being hungry and eating what we could get was. That was usually high carbohydrate, high calorie food. We did not eat "high on the Hog" and if we had meat it was poor quality, fat, high calorie and not high in protein. Feel sorry for me yet? Don't! It was how we survived--and I dare say there are many surviving the same way today.
This did create a problem for me though. I gained weight--and I remember in second grade the teacher making a really big deal out of me weighing 165 pounds at the age of seven years. She wasn't nice either. I never liked her, and although she is probably long dead--I never will. I don't want to bore you now with the rest of my life. I had tough times, but I overcame for a long time. I was blessed with a good IQ and graduated 12th in my high school class and was the first in my family to graduate from college magna cum laude. I had good jobs, made good money, married a wonderful woman--things should have been good.But the damnable weight--keep coming and coming--like a plague; and for the life of me I could not stop it. It disabled me. I suffered from clinical depression, Type II diabetes, Hypertension, sleep apnea, Arterial fibrillation, arthritis, bursitis, Heart attack, and so on.
Finally, I could not live anymore. I just existed--day to day. Same thing--sleep, eat, medication, sleep, eat, sleep. No one to talk too, not able to drive, not able to work--just exist. I got so tired of it--I planned the easiest way to end it for me--and my wife.
Question Item 2. Why weight Loss surgery?
Simple--I wanted to live. I had heard about and researched weight Loss surgery (WLS). I did not have the financial means since I could no longer work, but knew the minute that it was possible, I would do it. I knew there were risk--like dying--but I did not care. I was not living anyway. So on 4/28/2009 I had the RNY Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass. I have to date lost 80 pounds and my life has changed dramatically. This blog--like thousands of others will be about my journey. I will post the good and bad. I have had successes and failures. I am not a consummate blogger--as you see, but this will be an honest assessment of what happens to me. I hope people read it, like it, learn from it and enjoy it. If not, to be honest--it's mostly for me anyway. Have a blessed day and I will post more at a later date.
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