GBE 55: DAYDREAMING
Current mood: smitten
Category: Blogging
Was reading scripture this morn, led to Mark 6, when Jesus was feeding the five thousand and started daydreaming.
I have a few Bibles, led to different translations for different reasons. Today, it was THE NIV "Serendipity" for study groups, by Zondervan as it was closest to the computer.
Reflections suggest some of the disciples must have flipped when they saw so many needy people in the middle of nowhere. Their response to them wasn't full of faith...and actually they were a little possessive of Jesus and later became full of fear... "because they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened." and later were found "straining at the oars because the wind was against them". Mark 6:48
Ever feel like the winds of time are against you?
After the reading, there is this page with several questions. I found some of the choices made me laugh out loud hence led to share!
Which three from the following list will ruin a restful vacation for you the most?
Running into acquaintances from home
Mosquitoes/jellyfish/ants
Car trouble
7 straight days of rain
Losing luggage
Unfinished business at work
Phone calls from the office
Surprises
Losing our wallet
Standing in long lines
Tight time schedule
Having relatives along
How do you react when you are faced with an overwhelming sense of need?
Panicked
Inadequate
Let's do something
I can't do anything
Hold back and feel guilty later
What's your favorite way of avoiding responsibility?
Claim problem is too big
Blame everybody else
Wait for someone to go first
Say I can't make a difference
Turn on TV or computer and ignore the issue
Get busy with something else
How does it make you feel when you realize you have special gifts to contribute to the worlds needs?
Lump in my throat
Scared stiff
Pretty responsible
Eager to do something
Mixed feelings
Question Gods choice of me
If you could pool the resources to do something about the needs of your community, what would be your biggest strength?
Financial
Leadership
Political connections
Community action
Spiritual motivation
Genuine concern
Of course without application of strengths or talents, your existing is basically "self sufficiency".
If we don't understand the "winds of the time", your personal choices, how can you land on solid ground?
How can any of our actions, "help" even yourself?!
And if we don't know truly, "where our bread comes from" how can we even think of extending aid, caring beyond "self maintenance"? No wonder marriages, relationships...fail.
I had a friend send this thought to me today;
When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.
Concentrate on this sentence..... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
If something, someone...totally abandons you, for whatever reason, it's an opportunity...BEYOND your senses. If you are the one doing the abandoning, STOP. Remember, you too are a work in progress. DON'T LET YOUR HEART BE HARDENED.
Yes, we must learn to "ride the winds" after all...it's where eagles and angels dare to fly.
It's like when Jesus said; "Take Courage! it is I. Don't be afraid". And He climbed in the boat with them, and the wind died down....and then "they crossed over and anchored there...and all who touched the truth were healed"
Yes to anchor to this place, where the miraculous is a way of life.
"Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other leaders"
I view temptation as this thing, powerful force that smells rejection around a soul. It watches for this cycle of trepidation and entices the weak soul with images of "relief choices" cloaked, masked as the "healing balm". Once consumed this soul will become a rabid transmitter of trepedation and slowly self destruct. Sadly, they may take a multitude with them.
So when YOU ARE TEMPTED, remember DON'T HUG ONTO THAT THOUGHT VERY LONG, YOU'LL BE IMPREGNATED WITH SOMETHING REAL SOON and you just might not like the end result!
So much of the miracles of the Saints are lost in History. I sit here this morning thinking of those times and how God hasn't changed ... but we have as a Nation.
We are raised, sometimes in misery. Hopeless parents and hence rejected children who grow up in adult bodies, but within a child is hurting deeply. Yet Francis was rejected by his own family and the Grace of God touched and changed him and ALL of those around him.
Yes my prayer today...this Grace will touch us all...so indeed..heaven can break open on earth..within each and every one of our hearts...chains of judgment and abuse OFF..so the real us can stand and walk into our Destiny....the hope GOD has planted within. amen
GBE 53 A WRITE FROM ANOTHER TIME/YEAR/ERA
Current mood: amorous
Category: Blogging
Write no more to me, William, write no more to me; 'tis time to end communications which make our penances of nought avail. We retired from the world to purify ourselves! Let us no more deceive ourselves with remembrance of our past pleasures; we but make our lives troubled and spoil the sweets of solitude. Let us make good use of our austerities and no longer preserve the memories of our crimes amongst the severities of penance. Let a mortification of body and mind, a strict fasting, continual solitude, profound and holy meditations and a sincere love of God succeed our former indulgences.
Let us try to carry religious perfection to its farthest point. We can never raise ourselves to too great heights when God is our object. Be our efforts ever so great they will always come short of attaining that exalted Divinity which even our apprehension cannot reach. Let us act for God's glory independent of the creatures or ourselves, paying no regard to our own desires or the opinions of others.
Were we in this temper of mind, William, I would willingly make my abode at the Paraclete, and by my earnest thoughts for you, and the thousand blessing you have bestowed on me. You have ignited my heart which has transcended to my loins deep and though I took this vow of silence to our God I beseech thee to pray, meditate, labor, and keep our vows of purity.
But whither does my vain imagination carry me! Ah, William, how far are we from such a happy temper? Your heart still burns with that fatal fire you cannot extinguish, and mine is full of trouble and unrest. Think not, William, that I sit here enjoying a perfect peace; I will for the last time open my heart to you;--I am not yet disengaged from you, and though I fight against my excessive tenderness for you, in spite of all my endeavors I remain but too sensible of your sorrows and long to share in them.
Your letters have indeed moved me; I could not read with indifference characters written with your rouged hand and intense desire! I sigh and weep, and all my reason is scarce sufficient to conceal my weakness from my pupils. But, William, you make me tremble, your letters declare to me that you are enslaved to human love, and yet, if you cannot conquer it, you cannot be saved; and what part would you have me play in this trial?
No, let us be more firm in our resolutions; we have not retired save to lament our sins and to gain heaven; let us then resign ourselves to God with all our heart. For if we do not all that we have let is to consume one another and this sort of passion can not be fulfilled as we are not betrothed and our souls inflamed for naught.
For God can not smile on such a union can He?
Ah so yes my dear William, I rest with the memory of touching your passion for a moment in time and sharing the portal vein of thoughts for a future reference.
Most of the above, is a letter composed by a MAN, a French Philosopher in the 12th Century. I used my husbands name instead of Eloise's!
Abelard was so sensitive, caring and fervent! He had a great following of many young men and women! He had rejected knighthood to follow his passion and during his passage discovered Eloisa and she him. When I first viewed their lives on film, Stealing Heaven, words can not even express my own response. THIS was a love that is rarely found in our 21st Century an I believe similar to St Francis and Claire.
Abelard and Eloise, lovers, whose love was succeeded by years of penitence and remorse. Abelard was the tutor of Heloise (or Eloise), and, although vowed to the church, won and returned her passion. They were violently separated by her uncle. Abelard entered a monastery and Eloise became a nun. Their love survived the passage of years, and they were buried together at Père la Chaise
LETTER truly WRITTEN IN THE 12TH CENTURY http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/aah/aah08.htm
the Invisible Woman
Current mood: amorous
Category: Blogging
Seeds and Fruit
"Ye shall know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16 The cause will create an effect.
There are only 2 seeds; Faith and doubt.
Faith manifests the fruit of Love, Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Courage. The seed continues to manifest until eventually it produces your circumstances and relationships.
Doubt manifests the fruit of fear, self-pity, resentment, and discouragement. This seed also continues to manifest until it reflects as your circumstances and relationships.
url image found @christiancenterofhope.com/seeds_and_fruit.htm
FOCUS ON THE CAUSE IF YOU WISH TO CHANGE THE EFFECT!
I woke this morn contemplating and was led to Hosea, about how God restored Israel and yet the people forgot Him.."they do not cry out to me from their hearts" hence "like a dove, they eventually become easily deceived and senseless". (worthless, lose their flavor zest for life..salt).
Then at 4 am my dog started PLAYING. Tossing up his bone having a BALL, where was this coming from so EARLY? For those of you who don't know her, below is "Freckles" our adopted American Bulldog.
Immediately I knew, this is what Gods people are like. His remnant NEVER let circumstances get them down because they know who to trust and hence bring JOY to everyone they meet...because they walk "heaven on earth". No self concern.
Within this contemplation I found the seed image above, later a friend wrote and sent me this youtube video. Needless to say I was deeply touched and so thankful for this "refueling".
This blog is my effort to share the snapshot of love and teaching encountered and to say THANK YOU. How I love and cherish each an every one of you. Especially this 9/11 eve..we just never know when one day...it will be our last. AND you just have no idea how very special you all are!
GBE 51: Apologies
Current mood: pensive
Category: Blogging
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain." So God granted him what he requested.
I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV
Our GBE task this week is expressing what our perception of "apologies" means.
I remember when my children would fall down I would scoop them up and say "I'm sorry honey"..i would apologize for them hurting themselves...and try to kiss their booboo's away.
If I hurt anyone...mistakenly, even my dog, stepping on his paw...because he was "under foot"...and he yelped...i would say "OMG I'm sorry"...and give kisses.
Whatever pain caused, attempts would be made to rectify. My belief? There is no excuse when causing another pain.
"DON'T say a WORD, do what you know and an apology won't be necessary." Dr. HoneyDew
Is it truly that easy?
I have heard the term "lame excuses" made in reference to some. But my question to them...why are they "lame" and really..what is causing that soul to falter in your eyes? Maybe you have no right to even comment about them?
I have seen a soul in agony, because of a choice that caused them to end another's life. In their desperateness...they apologize, but all the tears can't bring them back.
This is why the above statement from the old testament Bible makes sense to me. "keep me from evil that I may not cause pain"...in other words: SO I MAY NEVER HAVE TO APOLOGIZE
I also believe there is a vast difference between apologizing and repenting too. An apology, unless the one voicing the utterance really SEE's the "wrong" will statistically repeat the "offense". So where does that grace come from?
Recently came across this:
Gay activists in India want British apology for sex law
Do you think it's a waste of time an energy to apologize?
Should they instead maybe focus on their own government who are the only ones that can change the law anyways?
What is the law ? What government, are you listening to? How is your conscious these days?
Law and Grace By C I Scofield Law is God prohibiting and requiring; Grace is God beseeching and bestowing.
Law is a ministry of condemnation; Grace is of forgiveness.
Law curses; Grace redeems from that curse.
Law kills; Grace makes alive.
Law shuts every mouth before God; Grace opens every mouth to praise Him.
Law puts a great and guilty distance between man and God; Grace makes guilty man nigh to God.
Law says "do and live"; Grace, "believe and live."
Law never had a missionary; Grace is to be preached to every creature.
Law utterly condemns the best man; Grace freely justifies the worst.
Law is a system of probation; Grace, of favour.
Law stones an adulteress; Grace says,"Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more."
Under law the sheep dies at the hand of the shepherd; Under grace the Shepherd dies for the sheep. Yes I would rather live and serve in a state of Grace, where the law is; NO APOLOGIES NECESSARY cause someone already made the greatest apology ever; "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do" JC "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." James Madison
NEVER GIVE UP
Current mood: pensive
Category: Life
One of my dear myspace friends; wrote the most amazing blog. I repost it as for some reason...he has chosen to make his blog PRIVATE.
His thoughts, made me really wake up...personally, not to mention cry.
A Canadian Hero : Terry Fox
In Canada we are careful about who we raise up as heroes. We don't really go for the flashy or the cocky individuals, we mostly grow to love those who represent our ideals the best.
Our greatest hero is Terry Fox because of his determination, honesty, and grit.
Terry Fox was only 18 when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. He had to have his right leg amputated above the knee in 1977.
His compassion for the other cancer patients he met inspired him to run across Canada to raise money for Cancer research. He trained for 18 months on an artificial leg, running everyday.
On April 12th, 1980, he stuck his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean at St. Johns, Newfoundland and began his journey to the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver B.C.
He averaged 26 miles a day on his artificial leg as he made his way west. Through snow and rain, shinsplints and blisters, he ran alone.
At first, there wasn't a lot of media attention, but as he continued on, he earned the adoration and affection of every Canadian.
On September 1st, 1980, Terry had to stop his Marathon of Hope after 143 days and 3,339 miles. A trip to the hospital in Thunder Bay, Ontario revealed that the cancer which had taken his leg from him had metastasized. He had been coughing and choking while he ran and been in a great deal of pain. X-rays revealed a tumor the size of a golf ball in one lung, and a tumor the size of a lemon in the other. He died in June 1981, one month shy of his 23rd birthday.
But he never gave up.
That's what i was thinking about this morning, watching videos of him.
Never give up. No matter how tired or frustrated you are, no matter what you've lost, and no matter what's in front of you.
Never give up.
If you want to be truly blessed...invite this character to be one of your friends.
He may get sarcastic now and again...but trust me...the man has discernment and is so right on and really a softy! (don't tell him i said that ok? I adore him...)
CHAI UPDATE **a response from CEO ALLEN SIMON!!**
Current mood: focused
Category: Pets and Animals
HERE IS THE RESPONSE: Please let me know if you received a similar response. SEE we do make a difference when we join as one voice!
Thank you very much for your message.
Like you, Four Paws is deeply concerned about reports of injuries suffered by some dogs as a result of a manufacturing defect in some of our Pimple Ball with Bell toys.
We want you to know that we have stopped shipping these toys to our distributors and we have asked them to have retailers remove the toys from their shelves immediately and return them at our expense.
We have also stopped all shipments of the toys from the manufacturer, and we are sending Executive Vice President Barry Askin to personally inspect the manufacturer's facility in order to make sure that the defect has been corrected.
We are also changing the packaging of the Pimple Balls to make it easier to inspect them for potential defects, and we are individually inspecting every one of the toys in our inventory in order to identify any that may be defective.
Thank you again for your message and your concern. Please be assured that the safety and well being of pets is our top priority and we are doing everything we can to make sure that this problem is solved as quickly as possible.
Sincerely Yours
Allen Simon
President/CEO
Four Paws Products
THE CHAI STORY (not our dog) http://thechaistory.blogspot.com/2008/08/chai-story.html
On Sunday, June 22, 2008 10-year old lab mix, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws Inc, produces. The toy I'm referencing is the pimple ball with bell. (Item 20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)
While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. The vet stated this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. This was made aware to the owners when Chai approached a friend whimpering with the ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.
Chai was taken to the Animal Medical Center (an emergency care facility in New York City) and was treated by Dr. Nicole Spurlock to have the ball removed. Because the size of the opening on the ball was so small, all circulation to his tongue was cut off. The doctors had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue swelled to the point that he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with care instructions and to be observed overnight for any changes.
By the following morning Chai's tongue had swollen even more. He was taken to his regular vet, Dr. Timnah Lee, for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they were treating his wounds and waiting to determine how much of his tongue could be saved. On June 26, 2008 Chai had his tongue amputated.
He was kept in after-care for an additional three days. On Sunday June 29th I brought Chai home from the vet with a barrage of home care instructions, to last for an additional 7 days. His next visit was to have his mouth re-examined and have the feeding tube in his neck removed.
(This is video of Chai showing the pain level that he had for the first three days despite being on heavy doses of pain medication)
On the way home from the vet we stopped at Petland Discount where I purchased their product to speak to the manager on duty. Upon meeting Chai and seeing his condition, he removed all of the balls in question from the shelves. He also gave me the customer service number to their corporate headquarters to request that they refuse to continue purchasing all Four Paws products, but I have not called them as of yet.
Additionally, I shared my story with friends who have a French Bulldog named Petunia. Upon hearing my story their eyes widened. They explained that the same thing happened twice in one night with a smaller version of the same ball to their dog. Fortunately, they were able to pull it off before the tongue swelled, but not without tremendous effort and pain to the dog. They recalled how horrific it was to hear their dog screaming while they had to pry the ball from her tongue.
To date, my veterinary bills total over $5000.00 and I will have regular follow up appointments for some time. Additionally, Chai now requires a much more expensive form of food because of this injury, averaging approximately $200 per month.
Also - I am Chai's sole caretaker and the regime required to care for him following his surgery has forced me to lose a great deal of business. I am a hair stylist and my salon is in my home. Given that Chai needs constant attention, and given that he has been wailing in pain, I have not been able to see clients.
Additionally, I now have to re-teach my dog to eat, drink and adjust to life without his tongue. Just walking him requires about 30min twice a day and we only make it three blocks. Feeding him takes me about 90 minutes twice a day and for at least this first week he is not to be unattended for more than 20 minutes at time. value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-yGn9YTIp2E&hl=en&fs=1">
The following is a link to an animal treatment clinic that has also documented the same injury to a Shepard mix.
I sent this information along with the reference to Petunia the french bulldog to Four Paws Inc, and it is their position that there just aren't enough instances to do anything about this. I told their Insurance company's case manager that was not a good enough excuse, It was inferred that my dogs value wasn't much and that his pain and suffering don't count as he is just a piece of property.
This should never happen to another animal again! I'M CALLING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL BOYCOTT OF ALL FOUR PAWS PRODUCTS UNTIL THIS PRODUCT IS RECALLED. We need your help, please take the time to make your voice heard.
Friday, August 22, 2008 Oh, no you didn't.......!! Dear zbk57
First off, let me express my deepest heart felt sorrow over the loss of Cole, I think daily about how lucky I am that I still have chai in my life and about how much he's teaching me. I couldn't imagine how you must have felt. I'm so sorry
Secondly, I have chosen to reject four paws offer due to the following post that arrived over last night and ask ANYONE with similar situations to contact me. We need to find out if this a repeating pattern of indifference or just complete negligence.
zbk57 said... A friend just forwarded your blog to me. It was with shock and horror that I read about Chai's experience. My dog Cole was injured in exactly the same way in July of 2005. It was with the very same Four Paws ball. After phone calls and letters to the company I was assured the ball design would be changed. I have copies of what I sent to them. I was told several times this was just a freak accident and I agreed but still asked they change the design so that no other dog would suffer. I hope they did not tell you this had never happened before because I can assure you THEY KNEW about the problem in 2005! Now to see that they did not respond and did not make changes and other dogs suffered needlessly makes me very sad. These balls are not sold in any stores near me, so I was not able to check to see if they had modified the design. My Coley boy died as a result of his injuries. He was a 5 year old bouncy beautiful lab mix that wagged his tail up till the very end when we let him cross the rainbow bridge due to the horrendous injury to his tongue. Please write to me at onedogmatters@comcast.net if you would like more info about my interaction with this company.
I am SO SORRY I did not fight harder and took them at their word.
August 21, 2008 7:54 PM
This should never happen to another animal again! I'M CALLING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL BOYCOTT OF ALL FOUR PAWS PRODUCTS UNTIL THIS PRODUCT IS RECALLED. We need your help, please take the time to make your voice heard.
Please copy/paste the following into the body of your email in support of this boycott and send it to the address below to let Allen Simon the CEO of four paws know your stand;
Mr. Allen Simon,
I am in support of a boycott of your company until you recall the product pimple ball with bell, as it is designed is such a way that irreparable damage can be caused by its use.
hbirk@fourpaws.com
Here is an example of what I wrote to the company. Please follow your heart and write what you would like. The above e-mail highlighted in yellow is to whom you write.
I will post any reply I may get and keep you informed. Just don't sit there reading..ACT!! You have a voice and our pets NEED A HUMAN RESPONSE!
thankyou
Pimple Ball
From:
"Brenda Stevens"
To:
hbirk@fourpaws.com
..tr>..table> ..tr>..table>
..tr>
Mr. Allen Simon,
I am in support of a boycott of your company until you recall the product pimple ball with bell, as it is designed is such a way that irreparable damage can be caused by its use.
Please please listen...hear the cry of our animals. After 5,000.00 in medical bills this lil guy is still having a hard time eating and drinking. We are sure you had no idea just what could happen to the larger dogs if left alone with this product.
Sincerely, Brenda Stevens MM RRT
..table>
Currently
reading
:
Shiloh
By
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
smitten
aroused
Yes, dry up a bit. Soak in the LIGHT of truth. 
awake
amorous
adventurous
pensive
