SUNDAY FUNDAY JUNE 13,2021

 SUNDAY FUNDAY JUNE 13,2021

Moving to mid-month June!!  Here in central Texas, summer is here.  There are the official dates for the seasons and also the more convenient calendar seasons.

Official Dates:  Winter, December 20 (or so) to March 20 (or so)

  Spring - March 20 to June 20 - 

  Summer - June 20 to September 20

  Fall - September 20 to December 20

But these are based on astronomy - March 20 - spring equinox; June 20 - summer solstice; September 20 - fall equinox; December 20 - winter equinox

The convenient seasons are the first of December, January, February as winter; March, April, and May as spring; June, July, and August as summer; and finally September, October, and November as fall. 

NATIONAL DATES:

June 14, 2021, National Flag Day

There is controversy about Flag Day.  Did Betsy Ross really make the first American Flag?  But, whoever designed the flag did quite a job.  Thirteen stripes for the thirteen American Colonies - and then stars for each of the states.  Currently, we are at 50 stars.  Will there be more?  The District of Columbia?  Puerto Rico?  Separate California into North and South California.

But June 14th has a bigger meaning to me.  My Grandparents were married on June 14, 1910 (??); my parents were married on June 14, 1940; and my wife and I were married on June 14, 1973.  Every year we had an anniversary, my parents had a more significant number.  For example, in 1990, my parents celebrated their Golden Anniversary - and we were celebrating our 17th anniversary.  

And, while in Madison, the Madison Community Band always played for Flag Day on the Courthouse lawn.  (Sponsored by the Elk’s Club)

June 16, National Fudge Day

I don’t have fudge frequently.  When I stop to think of fudge, I think of sugar blended with some flavoring, and fudge comes out.  My parents made great fudge in the Dixie Candy Store that they owned in the 1950s.  I remember a mint chocolate fudge that just melted in my mouth!!!

June 17, National Eat Your Vegetable Day

Someplace along the line, vegetables fell off my regular diet.  I wish I understood why!!  We (whatever that means) always had something from the vegetable family on our plates - broccoli, green beans, or a green salad.  These days, I have onions, beans, colored peppers, and rice (is that grain or a veggie?) in my dishes.  Sometimes I have a green salad (once every two weeks - and by the time I get close to eating my lettuce it has wilted and is not usable.  I think I am going to get the prepackaged salads.

June 18, International Panic Day

International Panic Day, celebrated on June 18, is a day when people are required to panic. Basically, the day is a mock holiday aimed at spreading awareness for mental health issues. No matter how calm you are as an individual, International Panic Day is the day to let out your fears and panic about your worries. Why? International Panic Day rather asks, why not?

BUT …. While it may sound funny, panic is a serious topic

June 19 - Juneteenth

The freedom of African Americans from slavery in the U.S. in 1865 is celebrated on the holiday Juneteenth on June 19. Juneteenth is made up of the words ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth,’ and it is on this day that Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas more than 155 years ago to inform slaves that slavery had been abolished.

*****

Some fun today!!!

My goal for 2020 was to lose 10 pounds.  Only have 14 to go!!  (How true!!)   

I Ate salad for dinner. Mostly croutons and tomatoes. Really just one big round crouton covered with tomato sauce, and cheese.  FINE, it was a pizza... OK, I ate a pizza!  Are you happy now?  (Yes,  I am happy now!!!)

How to prepare Tofu:
a. Throw it in the trash b. Grill some meat, chicken, or fish (I don't know much about Tofu -  would probably like it if I tried it!!)

I just did a week's worth of cardio after walking into a spider web. 

I don't mean to brag, but I finished my 14-day diet food supply in 3 hours and 20 minutes.  (And, I finished a jigsaw puzzle that said 3 to 6 years, in a month!!) 

A recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.  (Bam!!!)

Kids today don't know how easy they have it.  When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.  (For me, it was uphill in both directions to school in snow!!! )

Senility has been a smooth transition for me.  (Yes, dearie!!)

Remember back when we were kids and every time it was below zero outside they closed school?  Yeah, Me neither.

I may not be that funny or athletic or good-looking or smart or talented.  I forgot where I was going with this.  (But, I am an awesome bridge player!!! - in my mind)

I love approaching 80, I learn something new every day and forget 5 other things. (Like losing my first trick last week and going down one!!!) 

A thief broke into my house last night. He started searching for money so I got up and searched with him.  (Be sure to check the sofa!!) 

I think I'll just put an "Out of Order" sticker on my forehead and call it a day.

 Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed.

 Having plans sounds like a good idea until you have to put on clothes and leave the house.

 It’s weird being the same age as old people. (Like the Bridge Brats) 

 When I was a kid I wanted to be older…this is not what I expected.

 Life is like a helicopter.  I don’t know how to operate a helicopter.

 Chocolate is God’s way of telling us he likes us a little bit chubby.

 It’s probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.

Marriage Counselor:  Your wife says you never buy her flowers.  Is that true?
Him: To be honest, I never knew she sold flowers.

Never sing in the shower!  Singing leads to dancing, dancing leads to slipping, and slipping leads to paramedics seeing you naked.  So remember…Don’t sing!

If 2020 was a math word problem:  If you’re going down a river at 2 MPH and your canoe loses a wheel, how much pancake mix would you need to re-shingle your roof?

I see people about my age mountain climbing; I feel good getting my leg through my underwear without losing my balance.

So if a cow doesn’t produce milk, is it a milk dud or an udder failure?

If you can’t think of a word, say “I forgot the English word for it.”  That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.

I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.

 I’m at that age where my mind still thinks I’m 29, my humor suggests I’m 12, while my body mostly keeps asking if I’m sure I’m not dead yet.

 Don’t be worried about your smartphone or TV spying on you.  Your vacuum cleaner has been collecting dirt on you for years.

 I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event.

 I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.

 You don’t realize how old you are until you sit on the floor and then try to get back up.

We all get heavier as we get older because there's a lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

*****

ELEPHANT JOKES!!! Answers later

Years ago there were these stupid elephant jokes!!  And they still are stupid!!!

Q. What's big, grey, and has red spots?

Q. Why did the elephant paint his toenails? 

Q. What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?

Q. What did the mama elephant say to her son when he was naughty?

Q. Why was the elephant afraid of the computer store?

Q. How do you put an elephant in a refrigerator?

ANSWERS:

Q. What's big, grey, and has red spots?
A. An elephant with chickenpox!

Q. Why did the elephant paint his toenails red?
A. So he could hide in a bowl of cherries.

Q. What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?
A. Time to get a new fence.

Q. What did the elephant say to her son when he was naughty?
A. "Tusk tusk!"

Q. Why was the elephant afraid of the computer store?
A. Because they sold the world's best mice.

Q. How do you put an elephant in a refrigerator?
A. You open the door and put the elephant in and then close the door.

WRAP-UP

It seems like summer is upon us!!!  Stay cool!!! 

May the new week be awesome - just as you are awesome!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 - SATURDAY STORY - MAKE A DIFFERENCE

 SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021

It was her best effort EVERY, but she crossed the line in fourth place.

***** 

SATURDAY JUNE 12, 2021 STORY

Faye Illyria was a fast runner in grade school and high school. At the University of Gambia, she continued her running prowess,  She set a Gambian record in the 100-meter dash for women that lasted 28 years.  The media called her “Flying Faye”.  She loved the 100-meter dash - “time to fly” she would say; but also ran the 200 meters, the 400 meters, the 4x100 relay, and the 4x400 relay.

In 1981, three years before the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles a new contract had been written with NBC television and the International Olympics Organizing Committee (IOC) that provided funds for third world countries like Gambia to fund athletes like Faye to participate in the Olympics.

Faye was one of four women and six men selected for the Gambian Olympic Team.  Although well educated with a double major in English and Political Science, she had only visited neighboring Senegal.  Fortunately, the formal language in Gambia and the University of Gambia was English. And, maybe working in her favor was that literacy in Gambia was 63.9% for males and 47.6% for females.  The Gambian Olympic committee decided that Faye would be a great athlete and a great representative for the Olympics in 1984 in Los Angeles.

Faye was overwhelmed - an expense paid trip to the United States and participating in the global athletic festival known as the Olympics!!!  She ran more than ever and pushed herself to go faster.

There were many meetings and appearances for Faye and the very first international Olympic team in Gambia.  Faye quietly became the heroine for young Gambian women.  She had a gentle laugh, a warm smile, and she “flew”. 

As the flight to Los Angeles neared, Faye was stressed out.  She would be going from Banjul International Airport to Brussels, and Brussels to Chicago, and finally to Los Angeles!!!  What would it be like?  It would be over 24 hours of travel.  Would she be out-of-place?  Would there be anybody to talk with other than her teammates?

The Olympic Village was the first stop after arriving in Los Angeles.  The Gambian team was in a hostel and shared the space with Nauru - a small island country in Oceania north of Australia; and Liechtenstein in Europe.  At first, Faye stayed pretty much with the Gambian group, but some of the Nauru runners were friendly.  On the third morning, Faye did her workout with Amoe from Nauru.  The Liechtenstein team knew others from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, and although friendly, were frequently out of the hostel.

 The women runners (especially outside of Europe, China, and America) were largely ignored as the men got more attention and those from the third world countries just found themselves grouped together.  Akinyi from Kenya bonded with Faye quickly.  Both were fast, record holders in their own countries, spoke English and were both very nice and occasionally a little brash!!!  

At the opening ceremony, Faye walked with the other nine athletes from Gambia.  Dawda Jallow carried the Gambian Flag.  Faye was almost floating on air - in Los Angeles, in the United States, in the Olympics, wearing Gambian garb.  The stadium was full and television beamed the show live around the world, including back to Gambia at 3:00 a.m. the next morning because of the time difference.

There were several heats in the 100-meter event to determine the finalists.  In the second heat for Faye, she finished second behind a Jamaican runner.  In the finals, she drew the outside lane - and giving her best came in fourth.  

The other events were not as good for the Gambian women.  In the 4x100 relay, Maturm fell when she got the baton from the second runner.  When Faye got the baton, Gambia was in last, and she made up some of the difference and the team finished ahead of two other teams, but not qualifying to go on.

Akinyi, her new friend from Kenya, did place third in the 200-meter run.  And, Faye was happy for her.

A small delegation of Gambian natives now living in Southern California did visit the team.  She found she had some friends that were related to some of these expatriates.    

With all the events, all the sightseeing, all the competing, the athletes were worn out by the closing ceremonies.  And, with some misgivings, Faye and the other Gambians boarded the United flight to Chicago. 

*****

But, time moves on.  Faye Illyria married, taught English, got involved in Politics in Gambia (as the first female ever to be on the Presidential cabinet).  

But, as she aged, she somehow became the image of a successful woman in Gambia.  She spoke in schools, she helped coach women runners and other Olympians.  She traveled frequently to other African countries (including Kenya where she met her friend Akinyi).  

Faye Illyria, a common college student who flew - only one person - worked hard to improve the life of Gambians, and of female Gambians.  

*****

Wrap-up

This is fiction but based on some real data.  One person did make a difference in this story.  (In reality, some Gambian athletes are in the government in Gambia).  

Can we be like this?  Can one person make a difference?  

Sure, I add, after all, Gambia is a small country.  But, Karen, I can’t do that in the United States - too many people, too much diversity.  

Hmm - I know some of you are really ‘givers’.  You’ve given weekends (and a lot more) taking teenage boys camping, or you have volunteered your time for the poor and homeless making sure they are fed and clothed.  You (and your husband) have helped young couples approach marriage.  You (as one person) CAN make a difference.  By your lives, you have shown others how to LOVE and we know that LOVE WINS!!!

I, likewise, CAN a difference -- through my writing, through my love and interaction!!!

LOVE DOES WIN.  

Hugs!!

Karen

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 - LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 - LOVE WINS

 

(First, an apology for not having a blog post yesterday!!!  I got behind on commitments and the easiest thing to do was not finish my writing).

 

Over the years as a conservative, white, Christian male (and a very orthodox one at that - at least in my mind!!).  I didn’t like “Bible Editors”.  

 

By “Bible Editors”, I meant those who picked and chose certain scriptures that they liked and ignored the other scriptures.  

 

For example, some groups push the concept of “You must be born again” (John 3:3) - a new person in Christ.  Others pushed faith like “ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Still, others insisted on this (shortened)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James 2:14-18

 

There seems to be a minor disconnect between Ephesians 2:8-9 (faith only), and James 2:14-18 - (Faith must have actions).

 

Then the communion / Eucharist from John 6.  

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

 

"Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.  For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them”

 

(The two sides - the first says communion is actually - amazingly, supernaturally - Jesus’ Real flesh, and His real blood; - or the other side - Cmon now, this is symbolic - when you eat the bread and drink the cup - you are remembering the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.)

 

Or the Pentecostal view:  I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.; So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. (1 Corinthians 14)  (I know some Christians that say speaking in tongues is wrong!!!)

 

 The Bible does solidify its view by proclaiming about itself: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.  (2 Timothy 3:16)

 

And, from Revelations 22 (the last chapter in the Bible)

 

“And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.  And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.”

 

*****

So, ALL scripture [Bible] is God-breathed, and don’t add anything to it, and don’t subtract anything from it!!

*****

 

BUT - (watch out - I’m going down a ‘rabbit hole’)

 

There seem to be scriptural references that are cultural, not spiritual - and many from the Apostle Paul.

 

Years ago a friend was talking about the “dirty books” of the Bible.  I didn’t have a clue?  So, he explained to me.  If you look at a person’s Bible, the books that are read frequently will have more oil and finger dirt on the edges.  Some parts of the Bible get read a lot and some rarely get read. And, yes that was true.  If the person was highlighting or writing comments in his or her Bible, the outside edges of those pages would be more “dirty” than pages that had no highlighting or comments.  

 

So, let’s look at what might be cultural issues:

 

1 Corinthians 11:14 “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him.” 

 

Hmmm - time out - what about Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist.  From their birth, they were Nazarites - a group that did not cut their hair.  

 

How about this: “ Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors God” and “A man ought not to cover his head since he is the image and glory of God”.  1 Corinthians 4 and 7.  

 

Another time out.  I know a LOT of men who wear hats and caps.  I’ve been in two Bible Studies where the male leader always wore a hat.  One it was more of a beret and the other more of a baseball hat.  And, yes, they were pretty bald under that hat.  

 

BUT, from above “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  (2 Timothy 3:16) 

 

Can I conclude that all men with long hair or that wear hats most of the time are sinners (acting outside the Biblical directive?)

 

Now how about these verses:

 

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. or if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 

 But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory. For long hair is given to her as a covering. 

(1 Corinthians 11)

 

How about this: “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14).  (In some denominations many ministers/pastors are women!!!)

 

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety. (1 Timothy 2)

 

Okay - you can stop reading now!!  

 

But, if you continue, we have this from Romans 1: “Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men”.

 

In the last forty years, sexual and gender issues have become more pronounced.  Many areas are celebrating “Pride Month” - which generally is seen as a celebration of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and other sexual and gender issues.  And, conservative Christians frequently are fighting against this sexual and gender trend.  

 

With the last point, I can imagine how conservative Christians might have fought against allowing women to vote, or slaves to vote.  AND …. Judged if particular people can enter the “Kingdom of God”.  

 

From Matthew 7: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 

Fortunately, I am NOT the one who will judge who gets into the Kingdom of God.  I’m not the one to say “LGBTQ+ are all going to hell”.  That is God’s authority and responsibility, not mine!!!

 

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 7)

 

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

 

*****

Wrap-up

 

My friends, I am not a theologian.  I don’t know Greek or Hebrew (and sometimes I barely know English).  I am taking the scripture terms as legitimate.  

 

God’s ways are not our ways, and our ways are not God’s ways.  I try not to judge, but to love (show DEEP LOVE FOR EACH OTHER - for love covers a multitude of sins!!!)  

 

LOVE WINS!!!

 

HUGS!!!

 

Karen

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 WHAT OFFENDS YOU?

 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 WHAT OFFENDS YOU?

“Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” psalm 139: 26 

‭

Wow!  ANYTHING that offends you!!  

*****

 

Scenario #1 - from a friend!!

Karen, I know you mean well, but this “LOVE WINS “ just doesn’t fit in the world! 

 

You keep saying the Golden Rule - do to others as you would them to do to you.  

(And, while I’m at it Pollyanna Karen, you got that wrong - there are two better versions of the Golden Rule- “He who has the gold rules”; and “Do to others before they do it to you “. )

 

Aside - it was the year 313 that Emperor Constantine made Christianity the religion of the nation. Before that, Christians like Jews were outsiders not part of the establishment.  Christians went from being “uncool” to be “hip”.

 

Let’s face it, Karen, you just don’t have it right.  You’ve been living off that big-time professor salary, you don’t know poverty, sickness, homelessness, and being alienated from society!!  

If you had to work, really work, you’d know that it is a “dog eat dog” world.  Being nice, being kind, loving others just doesn’t cut it!!  Grab your share, take the spoils of being a white, male, egotistical, entitled, professor.  Karen, you are a big hypocrite!!  You call yourself a pollyanna, and you are - living a lie.

*****

 

And David (who in my opinion could be a nasty man at times), asks God to point out any offensive thing in his life.  

 

****

Back to the verse:

“Karen, I don’t like your superior attitude, I don’t like the way you judge others, I don’t like you being so cheap!! You know I love you - but c'mon now!!! (Says God to me) 

*****

Maybe back to one of my favorite verses:  What does God expect of you man, but to love justice, show mercy and walk humbly with God. 

*****

Maybe this Mack Davis song can help:

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble

When you're perfect in every way

I can't wait to look in the mirror

Cause I get better looking each day

*****

That does NOT apply!!!   I Am NOT perfect!!! 

There is an expression - please be patient with me, God isn’t finished with me yet!!!

And, yet, with all the problems in the world  write:

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!

Karen

TUESDAY JUNE 8, 2021 IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT

 TUESDAY JUNE 8, 2021 IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT

IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT - that might apply to my computer currently!!!  (My “p”, “o”, and “i” keys aren’t working!!!)  - and I am still using it!!!  New Laptop time!!

There are many times when something is working that you don’t change anything.  

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.  

That’s an old computer tip.  That can be applied to other things as well.

Story - years ago in South Dakota our bathroom sink had a slow drip.  That should have been an easy fix.  But our house water was very hard and it was hard to get the faucet spreader cap off.  I knew it was just a little calcified so just a tap with a hammer would loosen it up enough for my pliers to twist it off and replace the washer.  Right?  WRONG!!  I wasn’t Mr. Handyman!! I broke the sink and couldn’t stop the water!!

That house did not have a shutoff for individual faucets so I had to shut off the water to the house!! And call our plumber.  And, no water for a day!!!!

I could have lived with the drip - but ...)

*****

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:23‬ ‭

“Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:24‬ 

This is a Psalm of David.  It seems to say even if it's not broken, STILL, fix it!  Maybe I need some adjustment?  Maybe I have somethIng wrong with my brain.  

"Search me oh God!  Is there anything that offends you, show me! "

I’m waiting for my annual physical exam.  That might also be opposed to the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” concept.  Maybe I don’t know if something is wrong.  I’ve had colonoscopies not because I wanted to go through the prep- but it is a good practice to see if there are hidden problems in my colon.  

Kind of preventive maintenance- fix it before it gets too big 

I know a lot of senIor people - some of whom didn’t watch their weight, didn't watch their exercise and are overweight and diabetic.   Maybe they subscribed to “if it ain't broke don't fix it!!”

But, now they are paying the price for their neglect!!!  

Now, that can happen to businesses and organizations, and people.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

*****

For businesses:

Some companies have planning days - what's ahead - search our company, God, and know our hearts.  Are we a good business? What are we doing?  

*****

For organizations - search us, O God and know our hearts.  Should a church take time to reflect on its mission periodically? or a university?

*****

For individuals - search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

*****

The hardest part might be the second  verse: “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” 

I don’t like others pointing out my errors.  Yes, I had to give (and receive) annual evaluations -  had to point out things in them that “offended” me.  (Maybe not offend, but there are places to be improved.)    And, I had bosses show me things to improve.  

BUT - with God?  (First, he already knows everything).   I Want God to love me - and I don't want God to know my thoughts and sins. [Asde - Catholics - it is sometimes easier to go to an unknown priest -  Father XYZ is my friend and if he knew that  was so crazy and sinful, he wouldn't want to be around me!!!]

*****

Sometmes little things get out of hand. There is an expression - it is hard to remember that our goal was to drain the swamp when you are up to your necks on alligators!!!

MONDAY JUNE 7, 2021 MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL!!!

MONDAY JUNE 7, 2021 MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL!!!

Remember Snow White and the wicked queen was so vain, that she checked her beauty in her magic mirror daily.  

So, what do you see in the mirror?  

***

Zig Ziglar had this story.  An army recruit was a real dud - a nothing.  He had done other jobs before going to the army but really didn't succeed in any of his work.

When he looked in the mirror, he saw a nothing person - just a dud.  

But, one day the army required him to take an intelligence test - and he was classified as a genius.

****

So the next day, when he shaved, he was shaving a genius - the image in the mirror was a genius - a fantastically smart person.   When he walked around the grounds he was a genius, whatever he did, he was a genius. 

The image in the mirror hadn’t changed - it was still him - but he saw himself as much more than he had the day before.

*****

So, who do you see in the mirror?  Is it a dud - a nothing - or a genius?  

Taking a little religious view, 

When Nathanael asks, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46), “however, he voices criticism about Jesus’ humble origins. Members of the Judean elite, in particular, were unimpressed with Jesus’ allegedly rural Galilean origins.”

I was born in Eastern Iowa.  I didn’t go to Yale, Harvard, or any fancy school, I went to a solid midwestern college in Minnesota.  I taught at some very good, excellent, solid schools - that weren’t named Yale or Harvard.  My graduates are working in some great positions 

We have elitism - I didn't graduate from a top school - does that make a difference?  

There have been times when I wish I had gone to an elite school, but that passed quickly.  My skills and knowledge didn't come easily -  I had to study,  I had to learn.  

Maybe like the queen  I ask the mirror every day if I am okay.  (or beautiful).  But,  I really don't need to ask - because I am okay.

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After my recent surgery, I had some minor depression.   I  was outside and felt I wasn't good enough.  But, God answered my heart with “I love you Karen - isn't that good enough?”  In the big scheme of life, I am learning that my relationship with God and people is Important.  

In all the old jokes about getting to the “Pearly Gates” and St. Peter's there, there's never a question about: What school did you go to? What town are you from? 

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A second thought  In thIs Is “But, how can God love me” (I‘m pretty unlovable!!!) 

There are about  8 billion people on earth.  And, only one God.  Cmon - how can God love all 8 billion people? (And, at the same time - and all those that went before and all those that will come later. )

You know,  I don't know!!!  That's where I punt!!!  InfInite God -pure love - 100% (or maybe 10,000% of our daily recommended amount of love!!!).  AND - unlike humans, God's supply is limitless!!  AND - unlike humans, God's supply is unconditional!!!

As a human father, it was a challenge not to have favorites - but God always has favorites - every one of us is God's favorite.

How can this be?   I don't know!!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

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So, I am loved - unconditionally!!!  100%!!!

Let me make a bad analogy - a very rich uncle died and put 100 million in your bank account - but you didn’t know that - and somehow that doesn’t show up on a statement.  

This is my theory on the infinite God - with no rhyme or reason, He (She, It, the Force) surrounds us daily with His (Her, Its) grace but our eyes don’t see it in the mirror!!!  

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, who's the most blessed one of all?

But, of course, the answer is “Karen” (but, also, of course, the answer is Paul, or Ron, or Kathleen, or Lynette, or Rita or Paula <all of us>.  Like the guy who is a genius - but didn't know, we have infinite (or infinite raised to the infinite power) love!!!  It doesn't show in the mirror - but it's there!!!

LOVE WINS!!!  I am valuable!!!!!!

Karen