Chasing the Blues

It has not been the best week for me. There are times I really get blue. All anyone has to do is look at me and I will cry. There is no rhyme or reason as to why. I am in more pain than normal and haven’t been able to rest like I should. There are also days I have trouble speaking or really doing anything. I suppose this is what everyone calls depression. I am physically sick because I am depressed or I am depressed because I am physically sick. The cycle continues and this too will pass. In the words of the character Scarlet O’Hara: “Tomorrow is another day.”

I will force myself to leave the confines in which I have built and get back to the living. There are many things that need to be done this weekend and I will get them all done.

Now that being said and done, I am not alone in my feelings because there are millions of people who feel the same way at one time or another. I do not know about men, but women have more hormones that can play havoc on every aspect of human mind and body. All I have to say is that society better be damn lucky that women do not have hormonal imbalances at the same time in America because men wouldn’t stand a chance.

When I get like this, I just have to spend several days in solitude and prayer until it passes.

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hill be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” say the Lords, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

These are the times that we feel useless, abandoned, unloved, and unwanted. I have come to realize that is not that case. The truth of the matter I have the love from my family, much affection from many friends, and 

the best love of all—God’s love.

So when life is a little too much and we get down, then take a deep breath and look around you at what really matters most? It may be that the answer is directly in front of you. There are times when it is too hard to see, but it is there.

Keep in prayer Becca Brooks (via Cheri Wiggins) who will be having an appendectomy. Pray for a positive outcome and quick recovery. Ashley Larson’s surgery in Florida has been postponed due to a slight illness. It is scheduled on the 19^th of this month. Keep in prayer for each other.

God bless you all and keep you safely in His arms. 

Just goes to show you... you never know unless you take the time to find out.

Today I learned something really worth sharing. This holy man had fought in a war between Assisi and Perugia and had been taken prisoner. In his older years he became a fearless peace maker. After the 5^th Crusade he was sent to Egypt. Before and after the 13^th century it was said that he was living his life more “Christ-like” than any man that walked the face of this earth since Christ himself. He with others lived in poverty and extremely simple. He was noted as one of the humblest of all the reformers during the Medieval Ages. In Egypt, he crossed over the Saracen lines and charmed Sultan al-Kamil. As a test of his faith in Christ, he offered to walk barefoot on hot coals. The sultan wouldn’t let him. At first the Muslims in Egypt were very skeptical; then, they realized he must be mad. From then on they treated him with great respect because they felt God must have in habited his soul far more than they could understand. He did not accomplish peace between King John of Brienne (King of Jerusalem) and Sultan al-Kamil. The 5^th Crusade continued. (Source: The Roots of American Order,  Russell Kirk.)  

The holy man that I speak of was St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). His full name was Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone. One of his prayers is the “Prayer for Peace”:

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light, and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is during that we are born to eternal life.”

After reading this, I was so moved to tears. Within ourselves we are all instruments of peace. We have all known hatred, love, injury, pardon, doubt, faith, despair, hope, darkness, light, sadness and joy. We have all consoled each other and have been consoled. As we understand life, we want to be understood. I had heard of St Francis but today I learned just part of his story in history.

None of this makes any sense unless we are born to eternal life.  That eternal life is the easiest to obtain because it only takes just one step; but, it is the hardest road to walk. We can be re-born at anytime that we so chose; but, today is that time.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)

Keep in prayer each other. Still continue to keep Corey Reynolds in prayer on a slight medical procedure and that he heals. Keep those in prayer during this Arctic blast of snow that is upon so many this evening.

God bless each and everyone this evening and keep you all safely in His arms. 

A friend in need....

It has been a long day today and it was not my choice of eventful days. But I think everyone has one of those days. I tried to make it good but it just ended up quiet and I was unable to attend class because this weather has played havoc on my physical self.

I am in hopes that tomorrow will be a better day.

I read an article this evening from a reputable newspaper about a young man named Colin that lives in Michigan. Colin’s mother wanted to throw him an 11^th year birthday party but Colin felt it was useless. He said he felt he had no friends. They all made fun of him. Colin has Asperger’s Syndrome which is a type of Autism where the person has significant difficulties in social interactions and non-verbal communication skills.  So his mother started a “Happy Birthday to Colin” page on FaceBook which as of this evening has 642,000 likes. On the page it is listed that his birthday is March 9^th. It would be wonderful if this child get 1 million birthday cards and at least 1 million prayers.

Please help me to let this boy know he is a vital part of our society. Please send Happy Birthday cards to: Colin, P O Box 756, Richland, MI 49083-0756.

Keep in prayers Corey Reynolds who was in the ER with an infection that he heals very soon: keep each other in prayers.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

God bless each and everyone to stay safely in His arms. 

Thinking about suffering... the weather on the bones or the deep soul

I have finished one paper today, “A Critical Analysis of John Milton’s Sonnet 8”. I am glad I am finished with that. I had been working on it for several days. Today was a little harder because I am not feeling too “tip top.” I worked a few hours then I would lie down and rest. This went on since 4:30 am this morning.  I think it is because the upcoming cold weather “bout” that we are suppose to receive tonight on in to tomorrow.  

The only problem with this weather is that I have a class tomorrow evening. The weather (icy rain forecast) for the area has increased for 50% to 70%. 

While just accessing the current weather, I noted a “Child Abduction Alert--Houston” Keep in prayer Gabriel Elijah McKendal, 14 years old, is endangered because of non-custodial (mother) parental abduction. Apparently the mother is not a stable individual period.

Houston PD is good about different types of alerts; they advertise on highway digital signs, radios, and various web-sites as soon as possible to keep the public informed. Before entering many different freeways here (hypothetically about 10,000 of them) there generally is a posted traffic update of potential construction or a wreck ahead.

When there is a wreck, you can hang it up being anywhere on time. Have you ever noticed that everyone stops for wrecks to see the damage, blood, guts, and gore if there is any. At Jones Co., Jr. College (in 1993), while getting my AA, a professor talked about this very subject. He told a story of a Mississippi highway patrolman who got busted for holding up a decapitated head to a car load of “gawking” individuals and screamed at them “Is this what you want to see?” The patrolman was placed on administrative leave for medical reasons; seems they did not want to use the terminology for psychological evaluation.

“But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodia’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him. So, he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said ‘I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray.’ Then the king regretted what he had said; but because he the vow he had made in front of his guest, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.” (Matthew 14: 6-11)

Herodia was the daughter of Philip (late brother of Herod.) When Herod married Philip’s wife, John the Baptist told him it was against the Law of God. He got really upset and threw John in jail. I was thinking about this. The news of John’s death had to have hurt Jesus terribly.  

Jesus suffered terribly on earth in more ways than just the crucifixion. We often ask: why do bad things happen to good people?  It is not so much “bad events” but it is the suffering in life that we learn the greatest lessons. If we never suffer, how are we going to learn anything? How are we going to grow?

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

I was once told that good credit tells if a person has good character. My answer:  then Birney Madoff, Ted Bundy, and Jeffrey Dahmer must have had really great character because their credit was exemplary. Good character can in no way be measured by the physical attributes of this world. It can only be measured by our spirituality in accordance with God’s written word.

Keep in prayer each other.

This post is just my opinion. I will respect yours if you respect mine.

God bless you all and keep you safely in His arms.

Ancient government v American government

I have spent the better part of the day studying the Greek and Roman systems of ancient civilization to try to understand how it interacted with the American framers of the constitution. So many questions come to mind; but, the more I read the more I began to become disturbed about the state of our government with the inter-working of our society.

According to Russell Kirk, the Greek political failures can be traced directly back to the Greek beliefs and their religions. (pp 55) The temples with their gods and images are where now? They are in ruin just like their ancient societies. Is America headed in somewhat a similar direction?

Have we (like the ancient Greek societies) become lacking in the external and internal order that actually should be in place if we call ourselves a Christian society? According to Kirk, Greek freedom was just limited to a person’s own city and was lacking liberty in any national realm and their religion our not coherently provide moral order. (pp 59)

Solon (poet, philosopher, and politician) was classified as a man of vision; popular to contrary belief the framers of the US Constitution used his theories more than any other philosopher as a basis to the constitution. He introduced imagination into political order. (pp 61) After reading a bulk of what was going on in the Athenian culture, I see where it can be applied to troubles in America today.

I had to ask myself:   

Is there a widening gap between the social classes?

Does the American Culture base too much on materialism and the dollar?

Are the wealthy desiring more and more becoming glutinous therefore pushing the poor lower and lower on the social economic chain in the American culture?

Have we all been sold into a type of slavery for our financial obligations of existence?

Is our leadership corrupt and unrighteous?

Has our justice system become inadequate?

Is there anyone one who can bridge the gap by compromising between the parties of democracy with the best interest of the people (the masses) held in their endearment?

Kirk pointed out that when the Athenian constitutional powers were assembled in a smaller simpler tribal society. (pp 62) This really made me think that when the US Constitution was assembled, because it was for a smaller society. Was it made with the future population in mind? Yet we continue to change (amend) that simple document as our country evolves. Is this wise?  

I cannot answer any of the questions that I pose, but I can state that many of these answers would probably apply to the future of so many that are dear to me in the land of my home, my life; the land that my ancestors shed their blood for the liberty and the freedom of so many. I feel it is threatened by unrighteousness and the idolaters of materialism therefore making our external social order almost intolerable for so many.

How can we change all of this?

First on the list is prayer.

Second on the list, we the people have to become one voice of reason with no harm to any living person. We have to align ourselves with humanity. We have to prove greater than the unrighteous that govern our country. The only way to do that is through the word of God with a balance of nature.

The only problem with that is that external justice, liberty and freedom cannot be had for every single person. To live in ultimate peace and harmony, something has to be sacrificed.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: love you neighbors as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

I am probably looking at this unrealistically, but there is always hope. Violence doesn’t have to happen.

Keep in prayer Blake Savell—he had neurological surgery and suffered complications; he has not woken up at this time and is in a coma type state in one of the hospitals in Jackson, MS. Please pass the word on this young man because he really needs our prayers. Ashley Larson is in Tampa, Florida getting ready to have surgery this week. She is battling Ewing’s Sarcoma. Ashley is a mother with younger children; her entire family needs to be held in prayer as well. Keep in prayer each other.

Remember what I write is just my opinion. I will respect your opinion, so please respect mine.

God bless you all and keep you safely in His arms.

Source: The Roots of American Order by Russell Kirk, ISI Books, Wilmington, DE., 2003

Music and the soul

My son will be home soon from work and my daughter has gone out for the evening. She has spent the better part of the day running errands and then cooking out of her great, great-grandmother’s cook book: recipes from the 1920s. I studied a little and slept.

I did study something very important—The Greek Mousai (translated Muses), the goddesses of music, song, and dance. What was the relationship with Milton (Sonnet 8)? Alas, I have found the answer. It gave me a headache like you wouldn’t believe. Therefore, we can sing, dance, and hear the music of the past, while we change our destinies for the future. There is a lesson to be learned.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

Like the sirens with the mystic sounds who call the sailors to their deaths in a watery grave, the mystical music of heaven above can save our souls.

Music in the Bible is very important as well as our souls; “it soothes the savage beast.” That is an interesting phrase that has truly been misinterpreted. Its origin was the first stanza of a poem The Mourning Bride by William Congreve (1697): 

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.What then am I? Am I more senseless grownThan Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!'Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last NightThe silent Tomb receiv'd the good Old King;He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg'dWithin its cold, but hospitable Bosom.Why am not I at Peace?

Interesting poem about the “breast to the nature of the beast” that was sooth by music but it is not at peace. The true reason that the soul cannot be at peace is because it has no order, no purpose. 

Music can soothe our senses but what does it do for us in the endearing world of the ever-lasting eternity?

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

In my life time I have heard harp music, but I know one artist in conversation but have never met her. The last song I heard her (Karin Marrero) play from YouTube, was like summoning the angels to earth.   Like many musicians I have heard, I know their deep spirituality is what we hear and the heavens answer their songs. Never take for granted the music or the words that we hear. There are generally deeper meanings than what we know and understand. Our talented musicians are God’s special melodies of angels that we have on earth.

“[For the director of music: A psalm of David] May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.” (Psalm 20:1)

Please keep in prayer each other.

God bless you all and keep you safely in his arms. 

Complain...but where is your humanity better yet what about your humility

What is minimum wage? It is the “lowest wage” by law or by special agreement such as a labor union. The 1938 Act set minimum wage for employees engaged in only in interstate commerce or in the production of goods for interstate commerce which was $.25 (twenty five cents) per hour. In 1961 there was an amendment which extended minimum wage to employees in large retail and service enterprises, local transit, construction, and gasoline service station workers. In 1966 another amendment extended minimum wage to cover State and local government employees, as well as employees in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools, laundries, drycleaners, large hotels, motels, restaurants and farms. Note though not all federal, state, and local employees were covered or certain retail, service, and domestic workers were covered under the 1966 Amendments. In 1990 a grandfather class was issued to all employees who do not meet the test for individual covers, and whose employers were covered by the FLSA on March 1990, and fail to meet the increased annual dollar volume (ADV) test for enterprise coverage, must receive $3.35 per hour. In 1990, a subminimum wage of $4.25 per hour is established for employees under the age of 20 years of age during the 1^st 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/chart.htm

Look at it like this:

                1938       $.25        per hour               

                1950       $.75        per hour

                1960       $1.15      per hour                                1961 Amendment (changed)            $1.00      per hour

                1967       $1.40      per hour                                1966 Amendment (changed)            $1.00      per hour

                1977       $2.30      per hour

                1978       $2.65      per hour

                1990       $3.80      per hour                                1990 Amendment-for all covered-non-exempt workers

                1997       $5.15      per hour                1997 Amendment-(subminimum wage $4.25 per hour)

                2009       $7.25      per hour                                for all covered, non-exempt workers

For you own information put $7.25 to the test at 40 hour per week; now, deduct all taxes, rent, transportation, insurance, electricity, and food. What is left over? You will find out that you go into a hole. Contrary to popular belief wait staff at restaurants have three wage categories: (a) combined cash & tip is $7.25 per hour, (b) tip credit against minimum wage $5.12 per hour, and (c) Minimum cash wage $2.13 per hour. Well someone has to clean nasty bathrooms, messy people in restaurants at tables, and to wait on the public hand and foot.

Many people students, handicapped, and senior citizens generally work off of minimum wage. There are all types of jobs for all types of people. Not everyone can make a lot of money or go to college or wait tables, and mop floors; but, everyone deserves a chance to feed themselves. If the money is not there then social services helps those out with food stamps and other programs available like government controlled cell phones or Medicaid—but there are stipulations.  

Over the past two years, I have read posts (and not necessarily on Facebook either) to the effect: minimum wage wasn’t supposed to be to make a living off of; people on minimum wage are lazy; why don’t they get an education; why don’t they work like I do and pay for it themselves; look she/he probably doesn’t work—they are on food stamps; if you can afford cigarettes or liquor you don’t need food stamps; drug test all of them those on food stamps.  Who decides who gets to eat or be able to afford toilet paper, diapers, or toothpaste?

Are taxes deducted off of those making minimum wage? The complaints above are about some tax payers needing government help. There are about 10% who receive government assistance are actually criminally negligent. 15% of sub-contractors who administer government social services are just plain useful and negligent. 15% of those people are generally just lazy. There are about 60% of those on social services that actually need assistance. I am basing those figures off of prior research that I have done on my own. Those figures may not be 100% accurate but they are truthful to the best of my ability.

The next time you go to a restaurant, the wait staff is not your personal maid. People that mop the floors in the hospital are human beings. That ditch digger has a purpose in life. The customer service agent has feelings too. That teacher wipes the nose of your ill behaved child. That doctor hears enough complaints in one week to scream. That police officer would probably like to shoot the next disrespectable idiot they meet. That child’s clothing store retailer would probably like to beat the stew out of the parent that lets their children run wild in the store, all nasty with runny noses and sticky hands. So think about it.

George Bush and even Newt Gingrich once said that there are a lot of Christian people who can donate food and help those who are less fortunate. In my 54 years, I have yet to see any Christian group giving away diapers, toothpaste, or toilet paper. (I do wish at time someone would correct me; yet many just remain silent.) We (as a country) can be very benevolent to people in other countries, but what about our neighbors? Doesn’t charity begin at home? How often have you asked someone on food stamps if you can assist them in any way to get their life back on track?

The ultimate question, what happened to a little Christian humanity or better yet humility? Did you walk in that persons shoe’s today?

“In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let you right hand display awesome deeds.” (Psalm 45:4)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:1)

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14)

Keep in prayer Shea Morrow Fraley---she and one of her children have been down with the flu but are getting better; keep in prayer the family and friends of Annie Mae Pell—she has gone to join God’s troops; keep in prayer Natalie Hightower on her fight with cancer. Pray for each other.

This is just my opinion. Please feel free to comment. I respect your opinion very much so; please respect mine.

God bless you all and keep you safely in His arms.