I Learned Something New Today

     I learned a new term today.  I did a little bit of reading about this term and it just makes my blood curdle for some reason.  What word am I talking about you ask?

Disfellowshipping

(in some Protestant religions) the status of a member who, because of some serious

infraction of church policy, has been denied the church’s

sacraments and any post of responsibility and is officially shunned by other members.

     Excuse my foul language, but what the hell is this?  It almost seems as if a person is trying to say, “I am more holy than you are.” “So by some ridiculous by-law you are no longer allowed in this church.”  “Oh, and by the way I will never speak, be near you or anything that involves social contact of any kind.”  “That is until you can prove yourself to be worthy of God’s love.”  Now if you believe in this practice I may offend you with what I about to say. “This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of!” in fact I am outraged because of it. 

     There is an extensive list of reasons why you can be “disfellowshipped,” you can find that information at this link  BALONEY!  There are a few of these reasons that really floor me.

Associating with disfellowshipped people

Blood and blood transfusions

Attending another church

Military service

Worldly celebrations such as Christmas

     This practice also has a profound effect on people I have come to find.  They feel as if they are an outcast to society.  They are told they are doomed to the gates of Hell if they do not conform to the practice.  They back all of this malarchy up with the Bible. 

     You know what I think?  These people need to realize that the only way into heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ.  Remember, the one God sent to save us from our sins so that we may have everlasting life.  Where does that fit in this practice?  I know, I need to be perfect in God’s eyes and conform to some egocentric beliefs.  Then maybe I will be accepted into heaven.  Yeah right!

     I know there a lot of people who read this blog and some of you may practice this.  Why don’t you put the bullshit down and go find out what God is really all about.  Oh yeah, if you come knocking on my door it better be because you want to get down on your knees with me and accept the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as your savior.  I will be more than happy to talk to you then.  As always thanks for stopping by to read this today.  I hope that was inspirational to you.  Who knows, maybe you learned something.

A Poem for Childrens Memorial Day 2011

LIGHTS OF LOVE

Jacqueline Brown, Peace Valley TCF, New Britain, Pa.

Can you see our candles burning in the night?

Lights of love we send you –- rays of purest white.

Children we remember -– though missing from our sight

In honor and remembrance –- we light candles in the night.

All across the big blue marble – spinning out in space

Can you see the candles burning — from this human place?

Oh, angels gone before us –- who taught us perfect love

This night the world lights candles –- that you may see them from above.

Tonight the globe is lit by love –- of those who know great sorrow,

But as we remember our yesterdays –- let’s light one candle for tomorrow.

We will not forget, –- and every year in deep December

On Earth we will light candles –- as………………………….. we remember.

Straight to the Point

There you lie so lifeless in my arms, your body so limp and motionless,

so very thankful that your eyes are closed.

What it is that made this happen or why this happened I will never know,

things will be very different from this point on.

They say the pain will go away, I do not believe it,

they say that warm memories are all that is left, then why is it so cold at times.

Praying that God will help me to pull through the tough times, that he will gently carry me along….

• Things are starting to get better
• Going to the graveside helps
• Praying to God helps
• Being with my family helps
• Writing helps
• Crying is very healing
• Grief counseling is good
• Remember to put one foot in front of the other no matter what

GRIEF IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FUN! 

 

 

A Stray Thought or Two

 

     I awoke this morning and had this overwhelming sense inside of me to set down in front of this computer and write.  Well here I am.  What is the big deal Lord?  Why have you led me here?  I really do not know what it is at this point so I will let the Lord guide me through this.  All I can seem to think about is Jesus.  What he did for us.  Is it not just so awesome to have someone who loves you so much that they would give up their son for you.

     Is there a similarity between losing my son?  Did I give up my son so that God can work through me to bring in the lost?

     Today there are a lot of questions on which I will ponder on.  I will walk through today looking for an answer from God.  As I go about my day my spirit will be afloat has God carries me gently through.  What will the Lord do today that will open my eyes to the heavens? 

     If you would like to speculate with me go right ahead.  I might respond, I might not.  Just let it be known that I love to read how the Lord has used me to touch your soul. To caress it and wash love over it.  IN HIS NAME!

 

An Ode to Caleb

One day life seemed so grand,

everything was going as planned.

It was a day like no other will ever replace,

it was the last time that I was going to see your face.

In a moments notice things took a terrible course,

I cannot think of anything that can be more worse.

I tried the best I could to save you,

I am sorry I couldn’t, but the Lord needed you

You are flying high in heaven now,

I know that I will be with you again, someday, somehow.

Your memory will carry on inside me forever, and ever

….and ever.

Feel Good Season

    Ahhh…. now that is what I call comfort food.  It’s warm steam rising from the top of the cup, as it lets out the decadent aroma of chocolaty bliss.  The marshmallows are floating beside each other as they wait there turn to be married together with cocoa on my taste buds.  The warm glow from the kerosene heater as it radiates heat and warmth. Soothing the cold air seeping in from the cracks in the screen door out front.  The sound of Christmas music playing in the background.  It’s wonderful sound lightens up the atmosphere in this empty house.  All of these things combined together is creating such an emotional high that seems to mask any negative feelings I may have.

     I look out the windows and notice that the leaves on the trees have completed their journey to the ground.  The season has came and gone so quickly.  It seems as if just yesterday I was outside with the kids playing in the yard. All of the yelling, screaming and giggling has been replaced by silence.  I look out into that same yard.  I can vision a little boy romping through water puddles after being told not to.  I can hear the sound of tiny plastic wheels as they grind their way across the pavement accompanied by the sound of a little bell ringing.  By looking at the ground and seeing the masses of leaves gathered there, I can see a short way into the future.

     Winter time is knocking at our doorstep.  The days will start to get shorter and the nights will become colder.  Pretty soon we will be inside hibernating as we look out the windows watching the world go by.  A time when we get out our biggest jackets and bundle up before we even think about taking that first step out the door.  We will wait patiently for that “first snow” of the season.  I can foresee it transpiring as it has in the past.  In the late hours of the night.  We will wake up in the morning and the ground will be covered in fluffy white brilliance.  But there will be no desire what so ever to go out in it.  Not even to make a snow angel.  I think I will just set in the house and watch it from in here.  I can tell this winter is going to be much colder than it has ever been before.

     …..my eyes refocus on the computer screen.  The cursor is blinking.  I begin to type as I take another sip of my hot chocolate.

    

    

    

Peaceful Bliss

     What a beautiful day it is today.  I decided that I was going to venture out and soak up some of this nice weather before it gets bad tonight.  The weather man is calling for rain, but you never do know what to expect in our neck of the woods.

     I could not figure as to where I was going to go and write this post.  I really wanted to go out to Caleb’s grave and do it there, but something a little more enticing crossed my mind.  The park.  I am sure glad that I chose to come here.  There are a flood of memories here and it feels really good to be around them.

     There is a steady breeze in the air, and the autumn leaves are stirring around.  It seems like they are all dancing with each other.  So many vibrant colors fill the scene.  Colors of the deciduous trees changing their face.  Colors of the light reflecting off of the water.  The colors of the buildings that are masked behind the remaining trees and foliage that were left behind. 

     I can remember those times that we brought little Caleb out here with sissy.  He and sissy loved to play near the water where all of the ducks were.  We would feed them bread crumbs as my grandmother and I once did when I was a kid.  They loved it as well.  We played on the playground, and in the water park.  Even when there was no water to play in, by god we still played.  A majority of the time was spent chasing Caleb all over the place.  He just could not figure out what he wanted to do.  All he knew was that he was outside and he loved it. 

     I see now what goes on during the day while the younger generation is off to work and school.  The older class, the ones who have served their time come out to play.  Off in the distance I can see a grandfather playing with his grandson in the park.  What great fun they are having.  There is an older couple taking laps around the lake, getting in some good ole exercise.  Another fellow is setting beside me in his truck talking on his cb radio.  Another is fishing across the lake.  Is this what I have to look forward to when I am mature?  I pray to god that my life will be just as peaceful as all of those I have seen here today.

     It is amazing that God has created something so wonderful.  It is terrible to see that so many people are taking it all for granted.  I too am one of those people.  But today I took the time to slow down and see things in a different perspective.  I am glad I did.  Thank you God.

     I hope that you all have a wonderful day today.  Thank you for reading.

Dinner Is So On

    

 

      I just could not bear to stay away for much longer.  Today has just really been a “blah!” day.  It is not raining outside anymore, but you can tell that the cold weather is starting to settle in.  Old mother winter is just around the corner.  I have just fired up the old kerosene heater for the first time this year.  It is time to work the bugs out of it so that it can endure the brutal beating that it is going to take over the next several months as I attempt to keep the heating cost regulated in this house.  If not, it will most definitely soar through the roof.

     Now that Halloween is passed us by it is time to prepare for the big feast that will take place in the next several weeks.  Thanksgiving!  it is like the big meal that prepares one with the energy that will be needed to endure the animosity of the Christmas season.  The year is about to make it’s close.  We are winding down the last few months in 2011.  Pretty soon it will all be a thing of the past.  2012 will bring us a new year to make amends with ourselves.  We will think, “this will be the year that I blah, blah, blah.”  You know what I am talking about.  New years resolutions.  We all make them, but the failure rate of them is higher than that of the actual successful attempts.

   The ole belly is waging war against me right now.  This is likely due to the fact that there is a juicy, plump, pot roast in the crock pot.  It is loaded down with onions, carrots and red potatoes with just a hint a Worcestershire sauce.  Dinner time is also right around the corner.  My wife usually does the cooking but tonight I am giving her a break.  I think that tonight’s cuisine will be topped off by some corn, homemade mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and some dinner rolls…mmmm… Are your taste buds watering yet.  I know mine are.  The heck with it!  Before I eat my fist, I am going to go and finish dinner.  I have to work for the next three days so if you do not catch a post from me, do not fret.  I will return.

Cold Rainy Days

     

     Today is cold and rainy outside.  You know one of those days where you just want to lay in bed, relax and just listen to the rain beating on the top of the house.  If you are quiet enough (at this point you most likely are) you can hear the wind rustling the leaves on the trees.  You can hear the cars rolling down the street as they make their way through the water that has collected on the roadway.  All of these sounds together create that perfect harmony that just lulls you into slumberland.  Not to mention the bed is warm, and you have the person you love snuggled right beside you.  The house is dark with just a subtle hint of daylight seeping in through the curtains.  ”I don’t wanna get out of bed,” you say to yourself.  But you know you have to.  There are things that just have to be done today.  As my grandpa always said to me, “get outta bed boy.” “You can’t just lay around all day.”

     So you manage to throw your feet over the side of the bed, raise your arms, stretch and yawn.  You get up to start the day.  One step at a time, one foot after the other.  Where will the energy come from to get going?  Will it come from that first cup of morning coffee?  Will it come from the energy drink you have stored in the refrigerator? Will it come from eating a balanced breakfast? What about taking an early morning shower?  Something has to provide you with the energy that you need to get going but what is it?  Days like these tend to be more difficult when it comes to getting things done, because that feeling that you had when you woke this morning will sing out to you all day long.

     Does this sound familiar to you?

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Amazing Love

ATTENTION! - DO NOT SKIP OVER THIS VIDEO EVEN IF IT HAS NO RELEVANCE TO YOU.  ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU WATCH IT WITH AN OPEN HEART.  PLEASE.

He paid the ultimate price for you.  You owe him your life.  I know I do….Just something to think about.

 

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