June 16, 2018
June 15, 2018
You Are Supposed To Share
As Christians we are supposed to share - by design!
But there are those whom do not believe this, especially when we are to do so with those we do not believe deserve it!
Much less, the very idea of doing so with God's gifts!
Jonah 4:1-4
Just Do It!
Sometimes giving away God's Grace or sharing it, just does not make sense.
give it away anyway!
Read Jonah chapters 1 and 2.
Jonah knew what God wanted him to do.
And he ran away!
"The Assyrians do not deserve it!"
Nope forgiveness and God's grace, could never be for the enemy of the Jew!
You Can't Run
Sometimes you just want to run away!
Sometimes you really do.
Facing the storm made more sense than telling the Assyrians of grace.
Whom were known for their tortures and impaling of people!
Thank God For Discipline
Sometimes God Disciplines You.
Sometimes God is testing you . (think of Job!)
Thank Him for it! It always come with Grace.
Jonah prays to God and the fish barfs him up!
Discipline is His way of calling you back.
It is never punishment though wqe may see it this way.
Go
Sometimes you are called to go and do - but you don't want to.
Go anyway!
Jonah threw a hissy fit!
Go had to reprove Jonah!
Share
Sharing can be hard.
After-all, if God wants to bless them He will!
Grace upon Grace is often easier than overcoming our will!
Get humble and share as you know you should.
And be willing to receive God's Grace as well!
But there are those whom do not believe this, especially when we are to do so with those we do not believe deserve it!
Much less, the very idea of doing so with God's gifts!
Jonah 4:1-4
Just Do It!
Sometimes giving away God's Grace or sharing it, just does not make sense.
give it away anyway!
Read Jonah chapters 1 and 2.
Jonah knew what God wanted him to do.
And he ran away!
"The Assyrians do not deserve it!"
Nope forgiveness and God's grace, could never be for the enemy of the Jew!
You Can't Run
Sometimes you just want to run away!
Sometimes you really do.
Facing the storm made more sense than telling the Assyrians of grace.
Whom were known for their tortures and impaling of people!
Thank God For Discipline
Sometimes God Disciplines You.
Sometimes God is testing you . (think of Job!)
Thank Him for it! It always come with Grace.
Jonah prays to God and the fish barfs him up!
Discipline is His way of calling you back.
It is never punishment though wqe may see it this way.
Go
Sometimes you are called to go and do - but you don't want to.
Go anyway!
Jonah threw a hissy fit!
Go had to reprove Jonah!
Share
Sharing can be hard.
After-all, if God wants to bless them He will!
Grace upon Grace is often easier than overcoming our will!
Get humble and share as you know you should.
And be willing to receive God's Grace as well!
June 14, 2018
In The Genes?
(oh, wow!, forgot to post anything - that's a first!)
So, I was thinking yesterday about our natures. I always assumed, if not taught in school, this is a product of our upbringing and environment. Add different sets of values, religions, etc - there then is a wide variety of responses possible from a person or within a culture.
And I set my mind to trying to remember ...
I thought of my youth, on my great-uncle's dairy. My parents, unable to deal with a boy, sent me every summer to the farm. Probably the happiest years of my life. Me, cows, chickens, 1,000 acres of woods was my playground. Solitude, yes, but not lonely. I had my great-uncle Leonard and great-aunt Helene. They were ancient! He, was over 100 and she in her 60's. And we had so much fun and I was fascinated by their stories of the "olden" days.
But I "knew" this was not my home, even as a young rascal. My heart was somewhere else.
Grandmother lived outside of Portland. Oregon and I was sent off to her house quite often while father was taking classes at the local base. If he was on TDY (temporary duty assignment), then I had to ask to be set to her house for a weekend away from school. Mom was more than happy to drop me off as much as possible! Grandmother allowed me to draw and paint - strictly VERBOTEN in my home!
Again, camaraderie with older people, lots of land to run amok on, and yet, I "knew" Portland was not where I belonged. Something was 'missing, but I could not define what it was.
My spirit calmed down in France. I was unhappy about being ripped away from my great-uncle and grandmother but was powerless to change the problem. I knew life in Quescy-Centre was closer to normal, the way things were supposed to be. But, still not exactly on target.
The move to my homeland was under duress by everyone! We were escorted the 190 miles under guard to the German border - such was the hatred expressed towards the NATO "occupiers". And Germany was not a pleasant place for a 5'6" 5th grader! Martial law had been declared thanks to the activities of what was to be termed, "The Bader-Meinhoff" gang. Outside of the inability to run wild, life was much more relaxed and getting closer. But something was missing. I just assumed it was the absence of family.
And then for my 10th birthday, we went to Switzerland.
From my first bratwurst on the streets of Basle, I knew I was "home".
It so freaked my parents out that they were whispering about my being sent to my grandmother's to live!
It was weird, but I could not explain why little German boy was so drawn to Switzerland!
It was downright unpatriotic my father would scream, as he attempted to beat this longing out of me.
He would scream a lot of other inconsequential things too.
But my heart had been stolen by Switzerland.
I had no explanation.
So life trudged along. Me, always knowing I was not where I belonged.
Then came 1984, and the letter from my Swiss grandmother, sent in 1967!
I was planning my return to Europe.
So, yesterday, I was thinking about genetics.
I have four adopted Russian children, whom ranged from 5 to 10 years old at adoption.
So plenty of time to be damaged, or not, by the environment.
And all four are so different!
One Laplander, one Siber-Scythian, and two Cossacks.
If one views a child as a fired bullet and that first ten years of life as the barrel, which points and directs the rest of their lives ... then life becomes predictable!
But two of my grandchildren have missing parents and yet they are carbon copies of those missing parents!
How is this possible!?!?!?!?
Genetics?
How can a child, whom has never known his father, so perfectly emulate facial and body expressions unique to that missing father? Or, a daughter, the missing mother?
You have to then admit that there is more to genes than just physical aspects. There are also behavioral traits passed on as well!
So, now I can understand that my love of the mountains and solitude more than likely came from my father - and somehow my love for Switzerland. Too weird but how else does one explain likes and desires, which can not even be expressed - yet are "known"?
Much of who and what I am I know are the product of my Danish great-uncle, my Scottish grandmother and my Hutterite mentors as a college student. With plenty of room for my own screw ups in life! Having amnesia can be a blessing! But, by examining my reactions to things, I can estimate that there is some now forgotten/sub-conscious history there! So, I love Italian car styling but am at the same time repelled by them! I know my first three cars were Italian, but no knowledge as to why or what went wrong with them! And I find that so was my Swiss uncle's!
It can't be all environment ....
And there are NO coincidences in life.
So, I was thinking yesterday about our natures. I always assumed, if not taught in school, this is a product of our upbringing and environment. Add different sets of values, religions, etc - there then is a wide variety of responses possible from a person or within a culture.
And I set my mind to trying to remember ...
I thought of my youth, on my great-uncle's dairy. My parents, unable to deal with a boy, sent me every summer to the farm. Probably the happiest years of my life. Me, cows, chickens, 1,000 acres of woods was my playground. Solitude, yes, but not lonely. I had my great-uncle Leonard and great-aunt Helene. They were ancient! He, was over 100 and she in her 60's. And we had so much fun and I was fascinated by their stories of the "olden" days.
But I "knew" this was not my home, even as a young rascal. My heart was somewhere else.
Grandmother lived outside of Portland. Oregon and I was sent off to her house quite often while father was taking classes at the local base. If he was on TDY (temporary duty assignment), then I had to ask to be set to her house for a weekend away from school. Mom was more than happy to drop me off as much as possible! Grandmother allowed me to draw and paint - strictly VERBOTEN in my home!
Again, camaraderie with older people, lots of land to run amok on, and yet, I "knew" Portland was not where I belonged. Something was 'missing, but I could not define what it was.
My spirit calmed down in France. I was unhappy about being ripped away from my great-uncle and grandmother but was powerless to change the problem. I knew life in Quescy-Centre was closer to normal, the way things were supposed to be. But, still not exactly on target.
The move to my homeland was under duress by everyone! We were escorted the 190 miles under guard to the German border - such was the hatred expressed towards the NATO "occupiers". And Germany was not a pleasant place for a 5'6" 5th grader! Martial law had been declared thanks to the activities of what was to be termed, "The Bader-Meinhoff" gang. Outside of the inability to run wild, life was much more relaxed and getting closer. But something was missing. I just assumed it was the absence of family.
And then for my 10th birthday, we went to Switzerland.
From my first bratwurst on the streets of Basle, I knew I was "home".
It so freaked my parents out that they were whispering about my being sent to my grandmother's to live!
It was weird, but I could not explain why little German boy was so drawn to Switzerland!
It was downright unpatriotic my father would scream, as he attempted to beat this longing out of me.
He would scream a lot of other inconsequential things too.
But my heart had been stolen by Switzerland.
I had no explanation.
So life trudged along. Me, always knowing I was not where I belonged.
Then came 1984, and the letter from my Swiss grandmother, sent in 1967!
I was planning my return to Europe.
So, yesterday, I was thinking about genetics.
I have four adopted Russian children, whom ranged from 5 to 10 years old at adoption.
So plenty of time to be damaged, or not, by the environment.
And all four are so different!
One Laplander, one Siber-Scythian, and two Cossacks.
If one views a child as a fired bullet and that first ten years of life as the barrel, which points and directs the rest of their lives ... then life becomes predictable!
But two of my grandchildren have missing parents and yet they are carbon copies of those missing parents!
How is this possible!?!?!?!?
Genetics?
How can a child, whom has never known his father, so perfectly emulate facial and body expressions unique to that missing father? Or, a daughter, the missing mother?
You have to then admit that there is more to genes than just physical aspects. There are also behavioral traits passed on as well!
So, now I can understand that my love of the mountains and solitude more than likely came from my father - and somehow my love for Switzerland. Too weird but how else does one explain likes and desires, which can not even be expressed - yet are "known"?
Much of who and what I am I know are the product of my Danish great-uncle, my Scottish grandmother and my Hutterite mentors as a college student. With plenty of room for my own screw ups in life! Having amnesia can be a blessing! But, by examining my reactions to things, I can estimate that there is some now forgotten/sub-conscious history there! So, I love Italian car styling but am at the same time repelled by them! I know my first three cars were Italian, but no knowledge as to why or what went wrong with them! And I find that so was my Swiss uncle's!
It can't be all environment ....
And there are NO coincidences in life.
June 13, 2018
Planning
This is going to sound like a weird post .....
So, I am finally recovered enough for me to get back to my planning for my end.
The new lawyer is less than quick, getting my paperwork complete however.
And yet, maybe none of this is necessary - should I get a transplant .....
Given my druthers, in the event of death, I would just as soon be thrown out with the trash.
So meeting with a funeral parlor, today, to find out what the laws are.
Yeah, God ran a set of spurs across my backside - a less than subtle reminder over the weekend - that I had already died of suffocation once this year!
Darn lungs pulled another shutdown on me!
Such an undesirable way to die!!!!!!
To drown in your own fluids - retch!
I met with the funeral lady.
I could not help but notice the striking resemblance to the Banshee of Gaelic lore.
She nervously commented, that in all of her years, she had never had a talking customer!
So, I switched into funny Kris mode, to put her at ease.
It worked and she was laughing so hard, she was having to take breaks to catch her wind!
Yeah, I can be hysterical,if I want to be ....
Which ain't often, that is for sure.
So thought you might like a comparison number here:
$2,727.50
That is for the stripped down minimum. You are cremated in a cardboard box, they cover all paperwork and transportation. Luckily, as my life was failing at the beginning of this year, I started saving money and already have more than enough - with a taco festival to follow the inevitable memorial service ..... probably at the church I have buzzed in and out of since 1992 (for many years I worked in and out of Cork, Ireland and home).
Well, since I just bought a new car, I am thankful for those moneys I had set aside!
Now, to get the car paid off for GG, if life last enough I will try and pay her mortgage off too. Best way to avoid this state's greed in death taxes!
So, I am finally recovered enough for me to get back to my planning for my end.
The new lawyer is less than quick, getting my paperwork complete however.
And yet, maybe none of this is necessary - should I get a transplant .....
Given my druthers, in the event of death, I would just as soon be thrown out with the trash.
So meeting with a funeral parlor, today, to find out what the laws are.
Yeah, God ran a set of spurs across my backside - a less than subtle reminder over the weekend - that I had already died of suffocation once this year!
Darn lungs pulled another shutdown on me!
Such an undesirable way to die!!!!!!
To drown in your own fluids - retch!
I met with the funeral lady.
I could not help but notice the striking resemblance to the Banshee of Gaelic lore.
She nervously commented, that in all of her years, she had never had a talking customer!
So, I switched into funny Kris mode, to put her at ease.
It worked and she was laughing so hard, she was having to take breaks to catch her wind!
Yeah, I can be hysterical,if I want to be ....
Which ain't often, that is for sure.
So thought you might like a comparison number here:
$2,727.50
That is for the stripped down minimum. You are cremated in a cardboard box, they cover all paperwork and transportation. Luckily, as my life was failing at the beginning of this year, I started saving money and already have more than enough - with a taco festival to follow the inevitable memorial service ..... probably at the church I have buzzed in and out of since 1992 (for many years I worked in and out of Cork, Ireland and home).
Well, since I just bought a new car, I am thankful for those moneys I had set aside!
Now, to get the car paid off for GG, if life last enough I will try and pay her mortgage off too. Best way to avoid this state's greed in death taxes!
June 12, 2018
One Hundred Miles
Well, the day had to come, in which I have to face my PTSD, and drive move than just a few miles.
I have done one 25 mile drive a month ago, but terror was so bad I could not drive back home!
Yeah, not pleasant!
So, Oldest Daughter, was holding a BBQ and I opted to drive.
I was a mixture of terrified and excited.
But, I held at highway speeds for the 50 miles down there and back!
I also drove all of us up to Bonnie Lake to shop a sale at their Ben Franklin craft store.
Daughter had arm loads of stuff, grandchildren found toys and slippers.
For me, they had a new travel watercolor set by Koi.
Added some small paper pads and a few water brushes and I am ready for Colorado, again.
And that was really what the drive was about, doing distance.
I have to drive 250 miles each way to the memorial service.
Yes, I am still stressed over this, and only 24 days to prepare!
Oh, yeah, the BBQ was great.
Burger building bar.
And awesome potato salad ----- :)
So, very successful day with number one daughter!
And while enjoying our time together, next youngest daughter, was writing a piece on the internet about living in a toxic family!
No reason to assume she is referring to her Russian family, they only killed all of her siblings and then left her to die on the Siberian ice sheet in mid-winter!
My guess, due to her narcissism, she thinks me evil and not even remembering the HORRORible teenager she was.
sigh ....
No, it is always someone else's fault with her.
All of her decisions.
Life just is not fair!
I dearly love her, but next to my last God-Daughter, she is the hardest teen I ever had to deal with!
As you might remember, not so long ago, troubled God-Daughter surprisingly appeared one night at my door. Bringing gifts and gratitude!
I am still moved by this.
Well, time to get my day going!
I have done one 25 mile drive a month ago, but terror was so bad I could not drive back home!
Yeah, not pleasant!
So, Oldest Daughter, was holding a BBQ and I opted to drive.
I was a mixture of terrified and excited.
But, I held at highway speeds for the 50 miles down there and back!
I also drove all of us up to Bonnie Lake to shop a sale at their Ben Franklin craft store.
Daughter had arm loads of stuff, grandchildren found toys and slippers.
For me, they had a new travel watercolor set by Koi.
Added some small paper pads and a few water brushes and I am ready for Colorado, again.
And that was really what the drive was about, doing distance.
I have to drive 250 miles each way to the memorial service.
Yes, I am still stressed over this, and only 24 days to prepare!
Oh, yeah, the BBQ was great.
Burger building bar.
And awesome potato salad ----- :)
So, very successful day with number one daughter!
And while enjoying our time together, next youngest daughter, was writing a piece on the internet about living in a toxic family!
No reason to assume she is referring to her Russian family, they only killed all of her siblings and then left her to die on the Siberian ice sheet in mid-winter!
My guess, due to her narcissism, she thinks me evil and not even remembering the HORRORible teenager she was.
sigh ....
No, it is always someone else's fault with her.
All of her decisions.
Life just is not fair!
I dearly love her, but next to my last God-Daughter, she is the hardest teen I ever had to deal with!
As you might remember, not so long ago, troubled God-Daughter surprisingly appeared one night at my door. Bringing gifts and gratitude!
I am still moved by this.
Well, time to get my day going!
June 11, 2018
What Do You Value?
What is it you cling to?
What is it you value?
When the chips are down ..... ?
Philippians 3:1-6
Welcome Consistent Concepts
Remind ourselves whose we are!
Who God is.
What the Gospel is.
The world offers: Sex, "Security", "Happiness".
God offers: Joy, Peace, Righteous - in Jesus.
Watch Out For The Crazies
So many of us lean on Jesus + "something else" for salvation.
Yet the Gospels are quite clear:
Jesus + NOTHING else is what brings salvation!
The "Dogs" are probably evil doers, encouraging reverse circumcision.
Historically, dogs are Gentiles and unclean ones.
Judaizers are the false teachers.
If you can say you are a Christian, then finish this sentence, something you do:
"A REAL Christian _________________"
The blank represents your belief of a non-essential attached to the basis of salvation!
Christian Characteristics
Circumcision of the heart.
Trust is in Jesus!
Not anything else!
Walk Away.....
From SELF confidence.
Before his experience of meeting Jesus, Saul was very sure of himself and what his god demanded.
He put his trust in his heredity and nationalism.
Circumcised,
Works driven,
A Blue Blood, if you will.
And then he realized that all he clung to, he had to abandon all to follow Jesus!
He has to discover what God values.
And, be reworked from the inside - out!
Then he chose to be a Jesus Follower.
The quicker we learn these lessons, the easier it will be for us to follow .....
What is it you value?
When the chips are down ..... ?
Philippians 3:1-6
Welcome Consistent Concepts
Remind ourselves whose we are!
Who God is.
What the Gospel is.
The world offers: Sex, "Security", "Happiness".
God offers: Joy, Peace, Righteous - in Jesus.
Watch Out For The Crazies
So many of us lean on Jesus + "something else" for salvation.
Yet the Gospels are quite clear:
Jesus + NOTHING else is what brings salvation!
The "Dogs" are probably evil doers, encouraging reverse circumcision.
Historically, dogs are Gentiles and unclean ones.
Judaizers are the false teachers.
If you can say you are a Christian, then finish this sentence, something you do:
"A REAL Christian _________________"
The blank represents your belief of a non-essential attached to the basis of salvation!
Christian Characteristics
Circumcision of the heart.
Trust is in Jesus!
Not anything else!
Walk Away.....
From SELF confidence.
Before his experience of meeting Jesus, Saul was very sure of himself and what his god demanded.
He put his trust in his heredity and nationalism.
Circumcised,
Works driven,
A Blue Blood, if you will.
And then he realized that all he clung to, he had to abandon all to follow Jesus!
He has to discover what God values.
And, be reworked from the inside - out!
Then he chose to be a Jesus Follower.
The quicker we learn these lessons, the easier it will be for us to follow .....
June 9, 2018
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