Humanity - Have we lost our minds? Bye Bye Miss American Pie [1]

Our American Pie [1] is usually thought of as an abundance of property and wealth. I say our American Pie is the brilliant mind who constantly work to honor God and humanity and thus promote the greater good of society.

I pray constantly that my own culture and myself would repent of our failing our most precious commodity: Our youth.

For three generations our church and society as a whole lost our way. We forgot our God and turned to false worship and a terrible false, ungodly life.

Fathers were terrified of the lack of homeland security and often lost their spirit and hope. Mother's crumbled under the weight and stress of keeping proper appearances. Sadly, children always know the problems before the adults.

By the 1960's our youth were sadly driven to search for meaning, love, and a reason to survive. They not only sang their hearts out, but smoked, injected, inhaled, and swallowed every poison they could find. Our society was so horrified by world events and threats, our churches desperately tried to fill the void with programs, gimmicks, and sensational hip church. We lost the most precious of our talents, genius, preachers; we lost American Pie. 

Worship needed to be different from this world. Worship in a supreme Creator needed to be unique and set apart from the current world trends. Worship did not help but encouraged the desperation. When worship mirrors the world, it is not a place that worships God.

I still grieve for Jimmy Hendrix who was known to be a kind and gentle genius poet and musician. He was a true pioneer and trailblazer for a new generation of artist. The Doors and lead singer Jim Morrison had the vocals of angels with brilliant, classical elements in their music that will always stand the test of time; their lives ended before their lives began. Janis Joplin gave her life to teach us what destroys hope and what we can do to help heal others, but there was no healing for her. We as a society, church, and culture, still did not hear their cries for help, but we were well entertained and even today, we rush to enjoy legalized marijuana so we can avoid daily responsibilities of child-rearing and life. 

For centuries, artist and performers have fell victim to substance abuse or threatening lifestyle. The demands of the life of selflessness without Creator is always impossible. The very act of pouring out one's spirit, soul, and very identity, is completely exhausting. Even artist who believe and trust in a supreme Creator often find the life too difficult. Artists who are alone in life with no loving upbringing or understanding how very precious they are to a trustworthy and benevolent God will always find a fatal end.

Where did we go wrong in the 1950-1960's that robbed our children and our grandchildren of the love and security every human needs? Why do children lack trust in adult supervision or adult influence?

What can be done to help those who are drawn to a life of crime and show them another way of life? Children today are so drawn, attracted to the power of crime that they have no one who can intercede. All I know to say is, 'God, Oh God have mercy and help us all.'

Where did we leave Jesus? Let's go find Him.

If we ask, Jesus will help us fix our errors.

After all, the Creator is a perfectly loving and trustworthy God who never needs marijuana.

---

[1] McLean, Don. American Pie. New York: Mayday Music, Inc, 1972.

Study - Work Visa, Green Card, Work Abroad

Christian Trinitarian tradition teaches that God uses people to do His good work. Every word, deed, attitude must be inspired and engineered by God and good people obey His direction. Christians are not to take any praise or glory but totally acknowledge God's supreme work.

I love how Watchman Nee explains this idea in his book Changed into His Likeness, chapter 6: 

"The source is everything because it is the source that gets the credit. What I do, I get credit for; after all, it is I who did it! So after a piece of service, however fruitful, the ultimate question is not, 'What are the results? But, 'Lord, who has done this?-You or I? No matter how expertly we may do it, we shall invite not praise but rebuke from God. Purity or otherwise in our work depends on how much of God and how much of ourselves there is in it. If we are truly God's servants we know perfectly well that we get no peace or joy from what we have done by striving. When He quietly puts us aside, we praise Him because what has been done is something we have had no part in. The origin was God Himself.I am afraid this is not a popular thing to speak of. Preach to stir men to more evangelizing, more activity, more sacrifice, and they will listen and agree. But talk about the worthlessness of our work for God, even when it is not sinfully but well done, and we meet disapproval and misunderstanding. Yet this is the central point in service. Whether we can bring in Christ to be God's vessel of recovery depends on whether we can get out of the way to make room for Him. Nothing good work, service, preaching the Word, even doing His will -can satisfy His heart if we are the source of it. Only what He does in us and through us can satisfy Him.We watch a child making models out of mud. He may have real imagination and produce some quite recognizable models, but we say, 'They are nothing but mud. It is only childish play.' Yet the difference between that child and ourselves is very trifling compared with the difference between ourselves and God. He is God. We are men. He uses us-and rejoices to use us-as His instruments, but that is all. He uses us." 1

My faith dictates that God leads us to freely demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit as listed in Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faith, meekness, self-control, and later in Philippians, we are told the greatest quality is love.

So why do we evangelize, go preach overseas, or labor in a social gospel project? Sadly, those who want to encourage me have said, 'It's a good way to travel and see the world,' or 'They are far more receptive to our preaching than here in my church,' or 'They are ignorant savages who need what we have to offer/our education,' even 'We need to go to them and teach them so they can teach their own people.' I grieve for these mentors so terribly bathed in their ignorance and self-glory. This individual will be a gross imposition on their host country. God have mercy.

If I am so blessed to learn abroad, I must ask myself, 'Who invited who?' I must ask myself, 'Am I really worthy to sit at the feet of my host and learn from them?' I must ask myself, 'Am I really worthy to enter their most sacred home, eating my fill of their most arduous labor?' Would I so freely give them the same hospitality in my home, or opportunity to preach in my church, without wasteful intellectual analytics?

Here are a few tips if you may plan to work overseas:

-         Pray...Pray...Pray asking for God's perfect will for you. Be prepared and submit to His possible 'no.'

-         God must be the author. God will provide you the right attitude and respect for your host. God will always protect you, provide you with His Holy attitude and joy to appreciate the differences in another culture. You will really love the sights and sounds of the host culture. 

-         You are a guest in another country. Humbly and respectfully submit to your host. Follow their instructions fully. You will not enjoy the rights and privileges of your own home but will be an outsider in another's home. You do not have rights as a foreigner.

-         You do not come from a 'better life/culture/or way' than they do. Honor and respect with the fullest gratitude their willingness to have you visit them. They have a different way of life than you...but never, never less valuable than you. Urgently ask God to help you totally respect their different way of life.

-         Act and especially React in a respectful way when you enter their world. How would you want to be treated by your guest? Never criticize or disapprove of their way of life; especially what you see with the natural vision such as clothing, foods, etc. Humbly be very thankful for their great generosity and Pray urgently for the heart and senses of Christ. Remember, God gives wisdom and love freely; just ask Him.

I recommend viewing a film, 'At Play in the Fields of the Lord.'2 If every minister or public service personnel would view this, it just may put an end to world hate.

As my Christian family would say and believe, 'the flesh will always destroy; make sure you are serving in the Holy Spirit.' God has to be the One who did the work.

Here are a few avoidance indicators:

-         If you use a @Clorox product daily, you may want to avoid a third world country. Generally, there is no sanitation or disinfectants readily available, and any water used to wash will probably be contaminated.

-         If you have an allergy to or prefer Kosher, to various fish, avoid fish ports. Asia, Mediterranean, Antarctic countries, etc are known for their fishing industry especially the sea urchins of the mud flats. Sushi, Turtles, Squid, and other raw dishes are not only a common staple but a delicacy the locals will take pride in serving. Be very careful not to offend, but willing and happy to try and enjoy any fish or foods served to you. The same principle is applied to any indigenous foods.

-         The heat in the southern countries can be brutal. Make sure you like humidity and hot climates. The same principle applies to the northern countries and snow culture.

Now the preliminary process regarding the divine call of God on our lives:

-         First, the call process will begin with simple interest. Is there a job, people, language, particular culture that you have always enjoyed learning about? Did you see an issue or program on the @National Geographic magazine, which images kept your attention? Think about the costumes, landscape, climate, history, etc, and which culture has kept your interest? Perhaps you asked yourself, 'I wish I could work with those people doing a job like that.' Or, even a particular language you would love to learn.

-         The interest develops into more learning. You may find yourself watching more travel or geographic television channels, reading about the political climate or latest business activity of a country, even watching/listening to a broadcast in their language.

-         The interest will develop in a passion. You begin to enjoy reading more and using serious research tools at an academic library to learn about a country more in depth on your own time and just for your own personal interest. You may have a collection of artifacts of a given culture in your home, a postage stamp collection from a given country, or listen to a playlist of recordings from a particular country. You may even dream or become preoccupied with this culture.

-         God may call you to serve from your home through financially supporting a missionary, or adopting a child through a reputable ministerial organization, or perhaps going with a short-term mission group to help in a specific work, or even volunteering in an international support group in your hometown. 

-         You are never alone when responding to a divine call on your life. If you are married and family of your own, each member will have the same desire without your influence or suggestion. God gives each individual the call Himself. If we try to help God, we will destroy. If your spouse and children are not in agreement, the specific call may not be of God. Never demand obedience. Trust and humbly submit to God in prayer. Ask your family to help you pray for God's will by sharing your interest and burden. You cannot demand others to do what God has lead you to do. Most importantly, you cannot abandon the work God has given you in your family unit: husband, wife, child.  You cannot abandon the work God has provided through employment. You must be the witness and example of God in your family and workplace. Your home, work, and worship are people groups God has led you to serve; they are your calling.

Remember the basic commandments of our Lord Jesus from Deuteronomy and again in the Gospels: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, strength; love one another as I love you. You must love the Great Shepherd, Our Lord Jesus, first and more than work, spiritual calling, family, or yourself.

I like praying: Lord grant me the eyes, ears, and heart of Jesus so I may see as Jesus sees, hear as Jesus hears, and love as Jesus loves. In Jesus Name, to the Glory of God alone, Jesus help me. Amen, so be it.

Have you packed your suitcase?

1 Nee, Watchman. Changed into His Likeness. Burlington, Ont: Welch, 1986. Chapter 6.

2 Babenco, Hector, Saul Zaentz, Jean-Claude Carrière, Tom Berenger, John Lithgow, Daryl Hannah, and Peter Matthiessen. At play in the fields of the Lord. 1991.

Humanity - Oliver Cromwell and K-Pop - To dance and eat with chopsticks.

Why would an American, Wesleyan Holiness, old, white lady be such a fan of Asian entertainment?

Not only did the Protestant Reformation give birth to religious freedom as well as contribute to mass immigration to the Americas, but also Oliver Cromwell's English faith and politics[1] had an influence on our Wesleyan separatist ideals involving emphatic modest dress and manner stipulations: no public entertainment, no mixed bathing at the beach, and any dancing was permitted in gender-segregated physical education class or the YM/YWCA. Holiness people were a minority in a high church culture.

Naturally custom dictated that my choice of entertainment was carefully monitored by my parents and later college administration, including my records, popular magazines, radio selections, and celebrity posters on my bedroom wall.

When Ravi Shankar tried to teach, the Beetle George Harrison how to play Indian traditional music in the 1960's and the Indian Sitar, [2]it was Shankar and not the Beatles who had my attention. Now today, when attending India Night on the college campus, oh yes, it is the one time I will dance in public.

Chinese traditional opera and males singing female roles[3] always had my attention when watching Educational Television. Their costumes, makeup, martial arts, and vocals were totally mesmerizing especially when we had no makeup and martial arts classes were too far away.

The Korean Pop male groups remind me of the male vocal groups of the 1960's with modest and neat costumes, lyrics, and dances, that speak only of the joy and sorrows of life, love, and music. Korean dramas generally have clean subtitles and absent of skin-ship or revealing skin. Korean entertainment totally has my vote; especially when the plots are so familiar.[4] Today, the internet allows me a playlist of favorite groups and songs that help me smile, cry, and move. Like the big burst of fun found in "Chewing Gum."[5]

God will bless performers who are so selfless and giving.

After all, God smiles when I dance at India Night and eat with chopsticks. 

---

[1] http://www.reformationsa.org/index.php/history/99-oliver-cromwell-the-protector

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/12/ravi-shankar-beatles-rock

[3] http://www.illuminatedlantern.com/cinema/archives/a_short_history_of_chinese_opera.php

[4] http://seaa.americananthro.org/2014/07/the-korean-wave-hallyu/

[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSfEn2rBF44

Humanity - You are God's Valuable Kept in a Safe

This world constantly demands power, strength, and brute force to survive; kill or be killed. Such is the simple mind, the easy path. 

The Benevolent Creator has made humanity to love and serve Him in a loving relationship. As an all loving and all wise God, He wants to give us the strength for the day, the tools for the task at hand. This is why God holds our individual souls very carefully in His hands as we would hold a very fragile and delicate china cup of tea. When we are afraid we ask for His help and He hears and helps us.

How does God see us?

As vulnerable as the head of a glass china doll
As delicate as the lace on an infants christening gown or wedding gown
As fragile as a beautiful china cup we carefully hold between our fingers
As totally helpless as a newborn baby

How does God help us?

God hides us as a mother hides her young out of sight of the enemy
God fights the battle for us
God always wins to protect His valuables...Us. 

Why are we Greedy?

Why do we Hate?

Human Rights - Civil Rights and Human Rights: Questioned

Our human, civil, personal, and any rights we may demand may not always be possible.

Did we who follow the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, forget that we all share an equal place in the Creator's universe and plan?

Did we who follow the Lord Jesus forget that we took up the cross to follow Him? As believers in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, how did we easily forget that the cross means we may not always enjoy the delights of this world because we simply don't belong. Jesus said we must leave and forsake all to follow Him which means we cannot take for ourselves the power and glory that belongs only to Jesus.

We forgot the power of prayer and what God will do if we trust and obey Him when unbelievers who do not trust and obey God, destroy human life. We as believers in the One True God are supposed to pray...just pray for the good of others. This is far easier to speak of or think of when we are not hurt or living a good life, but when we are disenfranchised, abused by the wicked, we are supposed to trust in God and love our enemies by praying for their deliverance from evil. If we, as believers, do not pray for the wicked, we will be guilty of their sin and ultimately the blood of their souls stained on our hands when we stand before the Holy Judgment.

We poor believers in God have forgotten the very basics of our faith: God has made us all and He made us good.

Why the greed?
Why the hate?

Obesity - Year of the Ox - The Big Bull Connection

The stars were aligned just right during my birth and I am double trouble: Taurus the Bull and the Year of the Ox, and yes, my DNA reveals I am very Celtic/Scandinavian/East European. It is a fine idea that this may explain the obesity issue, but still a weak defense. It would be a fine idea that would guarantee a righteous, holy character, but again, a weak defense.

There is no place for astrology in my Judao Christian faith; in fact, we reject all supernatural seniority in our lives except the Holy Trinity. I have to believe and desire that God is all-sufficient and the supreme authority.

God is fully aware of my weight, especially when I ask for weight loss daily. While the Ox is quite intriguing and flattering, I'd much rather trust in the Creator. God knows the what, where, when, and why I was born and I can't wait to ask Him all the details.

After all, we are all part of His Holy Universe when we connect the dots.

Humanity - Snap Shot - Memory

Tim was an upperclassman in college who was known to have had photographic memory, and given the job of recording lectures and producing study guides for exam week. I remember Tim as a large person who could have easily played football, and yet he had an attractive quiet nature.

I've thought about Tim a lot since college years and wondered how dreadful his responsibility must have been. I dream of learning without the sweat, tears, and stress, but wonder if instant learning and small snap-shot images become lasting lessons not found in life experiences. My simple learning requires a lot of digging, reading, and analytical comparisons in open, stacked books on the desk. I tend to use a lot of time trying to find the right source and too much time trying to memorize.

Learning for me is the hard way of life experiences.

What did I do to someone else?

How did I feel or how did they feel?

What happened to me or the other person?

Did I hurt? Did I hurt someone else?

Oh, Oh, God forgive me is a constant prayer. 

There are many times I try to cope with the small snap shots that have proven more crippling than healing.

That small, little snap shot found in the corner of a shoe box rather than presented in the good photo album. 

The little snap shot bent, molded, discolored, and frayed. 

The little snap shot I really want to discard, but can't. 

The forgotten snap shot that reveals the truth about me. 

The one snap shot I wish had never existed.

The memory of the event I wish had never happened. 

Submitted in ignorance and with all respect to the professionally diagnosed.

God - Too Hard - Trying to Forget - Run for your life

I remember our soldiers returning from Vietnam and many were so terribly dead in spirit that they turned to underground smoking/drug rooms just to forget the horrors even for a few moments.

Too often it would be wonderful to just disappear, forget, and just stop everything. Then I feel terribly guilty for thinking such things. Yes, I am unworthy to think such thoughts; I have not earned the right to wish for escape such as our noble selfless military.

To wish an end is to deny others the message God may have for them. Every encounter, every chance meeting, every smile is a message to someone to live, to survive, to carry on. Who am I to say no to life?

I see too much that causes pain.

rejection from loved ones, associates.

constant rejection of the One True God and humanity

constant grueling sacrifice only to suffer poverty

constant fight for a morsel of privilege for nothing

constant effort and struggle for nothing

Why do we try? Why do we live? Why do we bother?

Then I remember the reason: I wake up in the morning because God said so. 

God said so.

Human Rights - The Mighty Fall - Idol Dangers

When we place more demands on others than we are capable, we premeditate their murder. Too often we push, demand, and expect others to fill our desires and put them on a high pedestal. Sadly no one is capable of living on the pin point position where we place them and they fall to their deaths with no one to care.

I want to beg, plead, implore...please do not take your life and others' so cheaply. Consider your life a very sacred part of the Creator's joy and plan to bless others. If you cannot see the good results of your efforts, just simply live and breathe as you encourage others. Remember, the goodness we want to freely give others is certainly the very air we breathe; we are the goodness.

Living is just that simple.

Humanity - At Play Before the Holy Presence

I miss playing and singing music. 

I miss going to the church playing without the light switch in perfect solitude.

I miss the music of the winds and my strings as I paced before the high altar.

I miss the freedom, the urgent prayers, and supplications from my instrument.

I miss the physicality of acoustics when the tones filled the sanctuary. 

I miss the abandonment of the self to prefer the pure excitement of the Creator's Presence and His Joy.

At play behind the locked doors of the mental hospital when playing in the dark for the dark;

At play behind the locked doors of the Alzheimer's floor when playing in the dark for the dark;

At play behind the battle lines of the VA hospital when playing in the dark for the dark;

I found Jesus in the dark, from the dark. 

The anxious one who sat in a foreign bath of mud;

The tiny form laying in fetal pose;


The great venerable who's body and mind became dust yet sang along...

It was always the Dark Ones who gave me the Holy Presence. 

When Jesus calls me, I will know His voice in the dark without good hands and lungs.

When Jesus heals me, I will return and play again.

Human Rights - Truth Teachers - What I learned from The Different.

God, in His perfect wisdom, has allowed me the privilege of a child-like heart and mind to seek Him. As a Judeo-Christian/Wesleyan from a diverse culture, I've had the wonderful exposure to so many belief systems that taught about a loving Creator and my responsibility to others.

The Roman Catholics taught me that anything God uses is sacred; His benches, buildings, and people. I am very thankful for the privilege of attending Tridentine Mass with head covered, extra knee padding, and sitting in the back corner of the sanctuary. In my own church I am careful how my Bible is laying on my lap or on the pew, and showing respect for God's property. 

The Jewish friends taught me that I am a part of the Creator's plan: I am His child and God loves me. Every part of my life belongs to God and I must pray for the desire to love God most by respecting human life above my own. They taught me to want to love God better. 

The Muslim people I have met have taught me that we are indeed similar in our efforts to honor God through our daily life and routine habits. The idea that my prayers are similar to those of our faithful Muslim friends, makes me feel incredibly unworthy of a great God-given blessing.  God has His children everywhere. 

My dear Hindu friends have reminded me of the importance of 'now.' This singular moment is far more important than the past or future. This is a very important tenant in my faith, "Now is the time of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)." 

The ancient tribal religion of the Native Americans, Cherokee, taught me the sanctity of earth, sky, water, and all living creatures. The Creator gave life and we have the responsibiltiy of protecting and using creation wisely. God have mercy on our gluttony and waste. 

The dear Buddhist/Zen friends constantly remind me that the search for Truth demands constant, holistic effort with no distraction. The goal is to eliminate any distraction that does not encourage the striving for Truth in all matters; I must always 'do my best.' The dear Buddhist habits of prayer, meditation, mantra, and discipline have encouraged my own goal of  'living in a constant spirit of prayer.' Yes, I want to know my Lord Jesus in the most personal relationship He will allow me and anything that encourages that relationship is always good.

I confess aprehension toward Confusian/Taoism despite their incredible contribution toward social order and self awareness. I want to think of self awareness and total discipline are life goals rather than an accomplishment. I simply would rather have Lord Jesus hold my hand and guide me at all times. I hope in my Lord's wisdom, He will allow me to study and learn these noble ideas and yes, especially martial arts, in hopes my Lord will delight in me. 

I am thankful for a perfectly loving God who simply wants quality time with me and always wants His best in my life.

Study - Why do you need a college degree?

Anita, why bother with a college degree? I turn in circles and wonder.

Anita, why do you need a college degree? I turn in circles and wonder.

Anita, you don't need schooling. You can always get a job at the grocery store.

Anita, you don't need college with all the factories in town.

Anita, when are you going to grow up and contribute to society? I turn in circles and wonder.


There was a person who no one wanted; people thought they were too much work.
There was a person who no one understood; people are afraid of the unknown.
There was a person who was despised by popular opinion; no one really thought about them.
There was a person who was alone; very convenient for others.
There was an inmate who learned a hard lesson the hard way; ignorance was bliss for a while.

Public opinion says that I am homophobic because of my Wesleyan faith roots.
Public opinion says that because of my obesity, I am destined to clean their toilets.
Public opinion says that because I am white, I am racist.
Public opinion says that I can't trust Muslims, African, Asian, Hillbillies, Cops, Teachers, Preachers...anyone.
Public opinion says that certain people need to be ignorant so others can learn.

Our Father Abraham knew Jehovah Jireh.

Lord and Savior, True and Kind...please help us think...please help us love...please help us understand...

Anita needs a Savior.

Humanity - Two of Me - Or Just Live with It

I remember hearing a conference speaker, and maybe you have as well, open her speech with, "If everyone was just like me, the world would be a better place." Her pep talk, despite her good intentions, only made me feel less empowered. The ugly truth and nagging problem is that there is just one of me and I will have to just live with 'it.'

'It' is this body, mind, soul, and strength, such as it is, as well as the nagging common income that I will have to live with in this reality.

Here is my wish list of the things I want to do if only 'It' would be sufficient:

1. Most important: With pain-free hands I want to volunteer music therapy for non-responsive patients.
2. Make and publish my own handmade blank books with scriptural name acrostic for my loved ones. If you don't understand it's OK. I confess freely my need for academic upgrade. A = And lo I am with you always; B = Be not afraid I am with you; etc. 
3. Live near my parents and sister's family so I can see them regularly. I hope they will like me. 
4. Enroll in a Jewish university and study and master Library Sciences to prepare for service as well as my own studies. Minor in Hebrew language and Religion. Take my parents to tour Israel.
5. Take an academic tour, regardless of time, through Mongolia, Tibet, China, Korea, and Japan. I want to focus on Martial Arts, Language/calligraphy, History, Religion, and Arts. While learning, volunteer and anonymously fund an orphan's college education. I would have to request a Kosher and vegetarian diet during my Asian studies.

There you have it; five ideas to create a great servant to make our world better.  It may be impossible for 'It' but who knows who may find inspiration.

Humanity - Hidden Secrets in the Top Floor

If the elevator in a posh building has twelve floors to select, there is usually an upper, additional floor accessible only by a special pass or key. Sometimes this top floor is used in reserve for private events or storage. I wonder often if the top floor happenings are good or bad. I wonder if people on the top floor are ok. I never liked the idea of secrets, tricks, propaganda, or exaggerated promises impossible to keep. The top floor is often a very scary place full of uncontrollable imaginations that destroy hope. 

The secret place of my soul is very much like the top floor only the elite evil may know about. Evil took the one key to access the inner places of my soul, which are the noisiest and unruly place to be just like the top floor of mayhem where abuse and destruction of hope are unpublished stories for front page news. 

Despite the elegant entrance and posh elevator, the top floor, that horrible place of evil, destroyed the inner peace the Good God Himself intended to give me freely. When my soul was wasted to nothingness by the abuse on the top floor, I cried to God, the Clean and Pure Creator to help me, save me, from the inner destruction. 

God came and took the key from evil, and now my secret place, the top floor, is a very safe refuge for me and where just God can live comfortably. 

May your secret soul places, your top floor, always be where God lives comfortably. 

Marriage - You Love Me How?

I am clean and as neat as possible.

My hands are callused and my nails are torn and broken from labor.
My hands are too sore to play songs and my voice is too gruff to sing.
My face and dark eyes are worn from lack of sleep and fatigue.
My neglected hair is cut off to survive in the hot sun.
My patched clothes betray my secret poverty.
Baren by choice, unconditional love from the womb is impossible.
My fats hang from my body like unwanted wineskins; who knows how to treat and heal imposing obesity?
I have earned no money in my life yet given all.

Through this thick and ugly wall, how can you really love me?

My champion longs for my company.
My champion loves to see my constant efforts to bless others.
My champion longs for and prays for me rather than the little money I earn.
My champion loves to hug me and dance with me when no one is watching.
My champion enjoys giving me ease and comfort.
My champion opens my doors of wonderful delights and carries my burdens.
My champion walks on the outside near the road ready to protect me as the most precious to him.

My champion holds my hand when walking, sitting together.

My champion takes pleasure in my joys rather than my sorrows.
My champion defends my honor with the fresh anointing God provides.

This champion provides for my needs and allows me the coveted choices only allowed through human dignity given by God's Grace alone.

My champion sees me as God sees; He can see someone beautiful. 

You can love me without the shovel, broom, and mop.
You can love me receiving nothing in return.
You can love me without imagining, 'what am I going to get out of her?'
You can love me without regret when I sin.

Maybe if I were pretty...

I could engage in meaningful discussions with the sages learning and teaching.
I could volunteer my time and contribute to the edification of human life.

I could use my hands to bless others. 

I could open my home to anyone who wants the company of like minds.
I could travel and spend time with precious loved ones.

 Maybe if I were pretty...

Your first thoughts and opinions of me would be kind.

Oh, my, how you could love my soul.

Obesity - If You Know Me

I know all about you.
I've heard all about you.
I have you all figured out.
You remind me of...


If you know me, you know nothing; if you know Christ, you know all.

If you know me, then you would delight in praying for my recovery.

If you know me, then you would love my success.

If you know me, then you would be my refuge, my protection.

If you know me, then...

Why do you laugh at my failing?

Why do you take an advantage of my dismissal?

Why do you comment on my name without truth or purpose?

If all you know is me, then you know nothing.

You and I need a Savior. I am soul.

Human Rights - Removing Crosses: Offensive for a Reason

Religious symbols and memorials all testify of individual faith and real events; why are so many opposed or offended by them? Memorial parks now have many vacancies where tombs, statues, and images have been removed because someone was offended by them.

If the event that raised the memorial had never happened, there would be no memorial. Confederacy would still exist as would the legal trade of human beings as a commodity. After over two hundred years of slavery and Southern independence, I suppose no one would really care about the issue today. The North would mind their own business, as is custom even today, and the South would simply live free with their slaves and trade rights.

We certainly wouldn't have memorials to the fallen to remind us of our sin because we would be simply living free with our economic freedom and independence and sinless.

Sinless...sinless...sinless; now there is a thought. The cold, hard truth is we did sin and had to erect memorials to remind us of those sins. Statues of General Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, southern soldiers were erected to remind us what we as a people suppressed, abused, and used human beings for our own benefit and amusement. These southern people cried from their graves that we the living would learn from their tragic sin and their sin would never become our sin.

Those who think themselves academic will try to explain the atrocities of the past as a tidy little essay and sound impressive and even some sounding victimized, but I say, please do your own research. Work, dig, labor, and sweat blood for the good of humanity lest we forget the crimes against humanity committed before us.

Walking through the Holocaust Museum will offend me;
Walking through Bull Run National Park will offend me;
Walking through the Chinese Railroad Workers Exhibit in San Francisco will offend me;
Walking through a Japanese Internment Camp will offend me;
Walking through a factory museum with pictures of poor women and children labor will offend me;
Walking through a cinema history museum will offend me;
Walking through a Coal Mine exhibit in West Virginia will offend me...

Surely I would never be so capable of such inhumanity... or would I? My DNA suggests UK Celtic, Scandinavian, and Eastern Europe Semitic, but money always talks and I may have a price.

Oh God, Oh God have mercy on me and on the whole world for our rejection of truth.

What are we to do without the reminders? After all, we are only human and money talks.

Surely I would never be so capable of such inhumanity... or would I? The Cross of Jesus reminds me that I am offended by sin, by My Sin. What would I do without the Holy Reminder?

Study - Lady Academia - Most Ignorant, Part 2

Why does Lady Academia seem to lose the war against ignorance? She fights against popular opinion and popular news for the Truth, yet seem to become the fatality.

Truth is never popular or exciting. No one really wants the truth in daily life. Truth is not popular because it is often inconvenient and even painful.

As a Judaic Christian, the Old Testament teaches that the Hebrew people are God's chosen people who are to witness to the world of the One True God. After the first patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it seems they were destined to a very dark and sad future. Joseph, Moses, and a few righteous judges in the midst were the golden characters, but sadly the rest of the story seems rather bleak. Hebrews have proclaimed and witnessed of the One True God only to find oppression, defeat and constant holocaust throughout history.  They were oppressed, conquered, enslaved, exiled, and systematically exterminated throughout history, yet the faith in the One True God survives and thankfully influences the entire human race; I am very thankful for the faith in the One True God.

It is all too easy for the self-centered religious community to develop feel-good theories to explain the rejection of the truth, but I say Hebrew history tells us that people just simply don't like Truth. The truth of who God is and the truth of who we are as His created humanity is simply too difficult for the common world to accept.

Our mental health community reminds us, 'The truth will set you free,' but mental health and recovery is a very hard regimen. It is a hard task to learn and accept the truth about oneself.

I'm reminded of a line from the movie Quo Vadis in response to Nero's decision to put people as animal bait as public entertainment: "...along with grain and wine...people will believe any lie if it is fantastic enough."1

We have been privileged to have the great World Wide Web and with it social networking, but an equally heavy responsibility of proof is attached. Information has to be weighed and proven by the truth and sadly the era in which we live has forgotten that brain work takes time and effort.

Do you still want to be the boss? Do you still want influence and seniority? Lady Academia says, 'put up or shut up.'

1 - Quo Vadis script: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=quo-vadis
Quo Vadis, based on the novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), 1951, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. 

Humanity - My Board, My People, My Employees, My Department,... - No it's not.

Nothing destroys human dignity, self-respect like ignorant and immature arrogance and the way to spot an immature newbie is their common language of self-glorification. Sadly they don't realize they are putting themselves in a totally worthless and troublesome image when they put their co-laborers beneath them. They look and sound stupid to the very people who depend on them.

Regardless of spiritual persuasion, or lack thereof, we as human beings share this world and must respect each other more than ourselves. If we continuously consider the needs of others as more important, then we will become a worthy servant to each other. We will become true professionals  far too busy doing our own work than to be concerned with 'I want to be the boss.' The true CEO or business owner who's priority is to live for others, will not use such insulting language because they must carry the burden of genuine responsibility.

True leaders will always cry out to the Creator as the supreme ruler: Blessed are you O God, Ruler of the Universe. 1

If our Hebrew language is not your taste, try the Latin, 'Non Nobis Domine' 2 or maybe a genuine 'I can't do this without your help, please help me.'

True leaders will always confess their need for help and their own frailties.

True leaders will always do what needs doing at the moment rather than wait for someone else: If a clean paper trash is on the ground for goodness sake, please pick it up and put it in the trash can! In other words, if my Lord and Good Master Jesus is willing to wash my feet, shouldn't I do the same?

True leaders will always live transparent in a glass house. Everyone assumes to know everything about the leader whether true or false with no consequence to themselves. Isolation is one of the heavy crosses in leadership.

True leaders will always step up and take the bullet, the complaint, the full responsibility for someone else with no comment, advertisement, or complaint.

A true leader is true to themselves and others without comment; a true leader gives the reward and takes the punishment.

After all, 'The buck stops here.' 3

1 - Jewish prayer, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/blessings-for-shabbat-holidays/
2 - Latin prayer, 'Not to us O Lord.' http://www.latin-dictionary.org/Non_nobis,_Domine
3 - Slogan by President Harry S. Truman, https://www.trumanlibrary.org/buckstop.htm

God - A Little Jewish in the Rosary Box

When I was little, my devout, Roman Catholic neighbor was like a grandmother to me and helped teach me about the sanctity of God and humanity. When I married she gave me a rosary box which I have always kept on my dresser or nightstand. With all respect and affection for the Roman faith, I use the rosary box to keep little items that are dear including a few lines of Jewish wisdom. Some are copied from Jewish wisdom literature found in the back of my Union Prayer Book, pew edition as well as other reps of good faith. Again, this is submitted with all reverence to dearest Roman and Hebrew faiths.

1. From Hillel

"When you seek fame it flees;
When you do not add, you detract;
When you do not learn, you earn destruction;
You drive yourself out of the world."

2. From (Christian) Max Lucado, Christmas Candle

"We are deliberately planned,
Specifically gifted, Lovingly positioned."

3. Unknown source

True Understanding what we do not Understand:
"Joy until we face sorrow;
Faith until it is tested;
Peace until we are faced with conflict;
Trust until we are betrayed;
Love until it is lost;
Hope until it is confronted with doubts."

4. Judah HaNassi

Which is the right path for man to choose for himself? Whatever is harmonious for the one who does it, and harmonious for mankind.

Contemplate three things, and you will not come to the hands of transgression: Know what is above from you: a seeing eye, a listening ear, and all your deeds being inscribed in a book.

Food Fight - Lose the battle but win the war, Part 3 - Healthy foods may need limited

Remember to always consult freely your professional medical doctor/provider before you make decisions regarding diet. 

Now for some very traditional healthy foods to be aware, but consider sparingly. Remember to always consult freely your professional medical doctor/provider before you make decisions regarding diet.

Fruits - have natural fructose/sugars and should be limited or avoided.

The juicier the fruit, the more sugar they have: oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, etc.

Skin fruits are high sugar: grapes, prunes, berrys, plums, etc. 

Fruits with seeds are high sugar - apples, pumpkin, watermelon, etc

Bananas are carbohydrates, but they are a good fiber source. Use sparingly or alternate days.

Starches convert to sugar during the digestion process. Avoid anything white:

Use grain/wheat breads. I prefer Joseph brand flax, flat breads or sliced wheat. 

Use baked or boiled russet or sweet potato alternate days

Sweet potatoes can be an alternative; use a little oil and cinnamon which may help with carbohydrate processing. 

Dry, hard shell vegetables such as dry beans are starch but a good fiber source and should be limited: Pinto, butter/lima, split pea, field peas, garden peas, corn, etc. Starches turn to sugar during digestion.

High sodium foods should be limited: cabbage family includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and any 'floret' foods. Juicy vegetables such as tomatoes are seedy and high in sodium.

Dairy foods are good nutritional sources, but high fats: milk, cheese, creams. Use them sparingly.

Always check the nutritional value on the product of the sodium/carbohydrate/sugar content when selecting fresh fruits and vegetables.

Remember to avoid any flour/sugar and fried foods, but boil or bake with a little vegetable oil or water.

Remember to always consult freely your professional medical doctor/provider before you make decisions regarding diet. 

Food Fight - Lose the battle but win the war, Part 2 - Easy foods are the enemy

Remember to always consult freely your professional medical doctor/provider before you make decisions regarding diet. 

To monitor carbohydrates and sodium in your diet, here are grocery items to limit or avoid (as I do) and always, always check and compare the nutrition labels:

Never, never, never buy anything in a box, prepackaged, prepared:

• Instant 'helpers' in boxes - meat dishes, instant cereals, mashed potatoes

These are always high in carbs and sodium for processing and dehydrating; far better to cook the meat yourself and use healthy ingredients.

• packaged meats, with all respect to good kosher brands

Sadly the salts and preservatives are necessary to prevent spoiling; fresh chicken is the only meat I have been able to eat freely without consequence. Again, with all respect and gratitude to Hebrew National foods and other good kosher brands.

• prepared frozen entres

While many brands are trying to help the weight conscience, they are very high in sodium, again, to prevent spoiling. Rice and pasta are both starches and high carbohydrates. 

• bottled beverages (sodas, teas, power drinks, fruit drinks)

Naturally, most are either high sodium (sodas) or high in complex sugars. If you consider the prepared teas, look at the nutritional information for sugars/carbs or sodium content. 

• snacks

Anything prepackaged is to be avoided. Just don't go down 'that' isle. 

• bottled dressings

Again, most will be high sodium for freshness and prevent spoiling. There may be some who really try to promote good health, so check the nutritional information on the label. 

Remember, if you can get it in a machine...don't get it at all, except bottled water. 

The Lord will help us all the way if we try; as well as our good Doctor.

Remember to always consult freely your professional medical doctor/provider before you make decisions regarding diet. 

Food Fight - Lose the battle but win the war

Remember to always consult freely your professional medical doctor/provider before you make decisions regarding diet. 

I can't process carbohydrates or sodium; it's in all foods naturally. In other words, I have to dig a lot of hard ground ditches before I burn a calorie. Here is a list of my food intake in hopes to inspire others who suffer.

I try to stay kosher and avoid red meats; prefer vegetables.

Anytime: Only frozen or fresh vegetables: green beans, carrots, beets

Anytime: fresh chicken with no seasoning

cook white chicken meat over night on medium in a crock pot with a little water; this is my daily work lunch for 3-4 days using Joseph brand flax, flat bread and white vinegar as a season for chicken wrap.

boil dark chicken meat in water on stove for fresh chicken broth and dark meat, no seasoning, then add frozen green beans, frozen carrots, very small amount of celery/very small potato if desired (I just use green beans, carrots). This is my weekday supper.

Alternate days: one medium baked russet/sweet potato with a little pepper and very small olive or vegetable oil. If a sweet potato, use cinnamon freely.

Alternate days: dark green leafy vegetable, always frozen or fresh: spinach, collards, turnips, etc

Alternate days: banana for snack midday or evening supper with two slices of wheat toast instead of the chicken broth with frozen green beans/carrots.

Alternate days: use banana with vanilla ice cream in small bowl at night; my little Chinese cup is the size of a standard computer mouse. The banana is covered with a hint of vanilla ice cream.

Most breakfast foods can be 'wrong' for me, but I try to at least keep kosher and avoid red/any meats.

If at a resaurant one day/week at most: cheeze omlet, sliced tomatoe, dry wheat toast, tea. Cheeze is fatty and tomatoe is high sodium, but not too bad one day/week at most. 

If fast food: egg/cheeze muffin, tea

If rushed at work, during 15-min break Starbucks: wheat/grain bagel no cream cheese, water. At my work, this is the best possible option available if no banana. 

If at the deli for work luncheon:

Wheat wrap/slice, grilled chicken or sliced if necessary (turkey is a good choice, but the tryptophan can make you sleepy on the job), spinach, dark greens, #4 jalapenos for 'fun' (can be high sodium; seedy), green pepper, oil/vinegar or a little mayo to hold it together. Turkey is a good meat to use for supper, before bed time.

If at the fast food for work luncheon:

Grilled chicken sandwich, side salad, oil/venegar dressing, tea

If at any restaurant any time:

Grilled chicken, baked plain potatoe with a little pepper and small amount of veg oil/tiny bit of butter.   

There you have it. Ideally, eat a healthy snack every other hour between meals, but it is not always possible at work.

Remember to avoid all seasoning, sauces, and the color white. As a doctor told my husband, 'If it tastes good, spit it out.'

Remember you can enjoy anytime: cook fresh, frozen low sodium/low starch vegetables; cooked/boiled/baked/grilled chicken; water or tea.

God is with you and will help you; as well as your Good Doctor.

Remember to always consult freely your professional medical doctor/provider before you make decisions regarding diet. 

God - The Host - Cat's in the Cradle in Vegas

My faith teaches all human beings are created in the image of God, the Creator, and the Master of the universe and He has a divine purpose. 

 

If I had children, they would be adults with children of their own. I weep and mourn when I read of people who are ignorant of the sanctity of their lives and divine purpose but freely kill at random. Little ones demonstrate their hopelessness by taking their own life. 

 

I suggest it is because my generation failed miserably to teach our children to fear God and honor human life. The Cold War, Korea, and Viet Nam were so devastating that we were supposed to humble ourselves before God, pray, and fast for the leaders in our country, military, and our church.

We were supposed to selflessly live and practice God's Word for His Glory alone. We failed to humble ourselves before our God and seek His Word. We failed to demonstrate that what we do before the Holy Presence in our church is to continue in our daily lives. We were so distracted by wasteful church programs, promotions, ungodly politics, and marketing, that we did not demonstrate and teach our children the Holy Life before God; a daily life to Honor God and humanity. We turned away from the One True God and created our idol of 'do your own thing.' As a Holiness separate people, we enjoyed judging and condemning others who had never been taught the Way of Christ rather than heed His warning, '...it will be as a millstone on our neck and we are cast in the sea' (Matthew 18.6). The religious hypocrite-play actors all went to church every time the door opened and left just as they entered with no repentance and hunger for God but continued in their criticisms, bigotry, and constant raving against people they pretended to love, and the children were completely attentive at the Sunday dinner table. 

 

Now our bored, 30, 40, 50-year-old children will not earn a living but will be paid by our government to stay on their couch entertaining their desires. When they become bored, they kill. Our neglected little grandchildren take their own lives in complete hopelessness because they never learned about a personal God who loves them and there are no adults they can trust. Our generation taught us only to disrespect God and our leadership. The late 50's television programs with their disrespectful humor toward our government and churches taught that we have to live for ourselves because we cannot trust our government, our parents, or civil authority. Celebrities advertised every smoke, drink, and habit to make us feel good. It follows that people kill at random and small pre-pubescent children take their own lives. 

 

Desperately wanting the best life possible, I worked jobs to save for their schooling; 

but missed their sorrow after the playground fight and their triumphant victory at the game. 

My children were safe at home enjoying the sitcoms TV who mocked parents, teachers, law, and church.

 

The PTA needed volunteer help and offered some important referral names; 

neglecting my children for a few names who knew college administrators.

My children were safe at home learning all about the needle.

 

I was called into work and they promised me a raise;

I missed the call from the nurse's office... 

I missed the call from the police station...

But didn't miss the funerals.  

As I receive the Blessed Host during Holy Communion, I wonder if I am guilty of the Savior's blood. I wonder why 'my son' killed and was killed so freely...or why my 'precious grandchildren' are too afraid to go to school and would rather feel empowered by the cause they can believe in with the mob rioting outside.

 

Yes, I think we missed teaching our children as our parents taught us who God is and how very precious we are in His sight.

 

Starting right now...now is the time of Salvation and now is the time to teach our children/grandchildren well: Who God is and how very precious we are in His sight.

 

After all, when we attend the Holy Mass do we not partake of the Blessed Host?

Our Lord Jesus will help us. Our Lord Jesus will save us. Will we ask?

 

Cat's in the Cradle, by Sandy & Harry Chapin

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