American Picker Philosophy

For a while now, I've been in a bit of a funk.  While I enjoy going to movies, concerts, my kid's homes, etc., it's been a bit weird, like I have a "take it or leave it" attitude.  I find myself chained to a chair or sofa in my living room after work, then on the weekends, etc.  I'm not a shut-in, and my wife and I have gone and done some fun things, but I've become kind of a couch-potato over the last year and a half.  Define couch potato, you say?

I took a promotion at work about then.  It has been more stressful and less rewarding than the previous job, and it seems like sometimes it doesn't matter what I plan or try to do to make things better, we just stay the same, and the same isn't working particularly well.  Maybe that's why.

I went on prescribed anti-anxiety medication for a time in late 2010 and early 2011.  The first script made me high, which some people might enjoy, but for me it was like hovering above myself and watching what was going on.  Great at a frat party perhaps, but not so much for me.

The second script kept me at a level status, I didn't get too happy or angry, I didin't lose myself in hysterical laughter nor try to punch through any walls.  It seemed, however, like I was a spectator to the world, like I really wasn't involved.  It was that time I started coming home from work and just kind of "vegging out".  I think I got stuck in that veg mode somehow.  Hard to get out.  I quit the pills, didn't want to lose myself in a chemical fog.  Seemed like so much fun in Reefer Madness.

Now, I'm a Christian, I trust in the Lord, I look for His healing, help, support, but I'm human, and sometimes I don't listen.  It seems sometimes like some of the joy was taken out of my life and I'm not sure how to get it back. Don't let Christian folk get in your head with "you just don't have enough faith, pray your way out of it", etc.  It's just not that simple sometimes.

My father's side of the family has dealt with clinical depression.  Many of the relatives have struggled.  I call it the Fox Crazies, I've tried to warn my nephew and my kids.  I think sometimes, though, we try to blame conditions, illnesses and symptoms for our shortcomings or problems, when maybe it's just us trying to duck out of reality.

I can be a reality ducker sometimes, all without the use of drugs or alcohol. I do tend to use food as a crutch, though, and apparently TV.  But I do know that drugs to "level you out" leave out some of the great spark, creativity and drive that can be a blessing and a curse.  I can get soooo happy and I can get sooo down.

Being an adult and realizing these things, I don't even consider "ending it all" or anything way overboard.  I do, however, struggle sometimes.  I have the love of a wonderful wife, two great kids, my in-laws are great, we're all working...you really have to look at the blessings you have, I know I have to remind myself to look. 

There is never any time that everything sucks, at least for me, and I'm sure for others that struggle with their own funks.  I think of my kids, my wife, the fact that we have jobs, educations, live in decent areas and the fact we have so much to be thankful for (for which to be thankful I suppose for you English majors: oh, yes, I have dangled a participle in my time).  And, yeah, I could'a been someone, I could'a been a contender; thanks, Marlon, but other than not having my name in lights, things are okay.  Sometimes its so easy to look back and be disappointed about time I've wasted and things I should have done, I forget to look at what I have done...

So do I have great wisdom to share?  I think I do.  I was watching American Pickers while recovering from some minor knee surgery.  I saw many, many people who had collected so much stuff over time.  They had property with multiple buildings on them full of stuff, some well-organized, some not so much.  All of the folks seemed happy.  All had followed a path they enjoyed for many years and allowed them to retire to a quiet life of collecting (hoarding) and just getting along. Be a picker

Here it is: No matter what your age, do something you WANT to do for a vocation make it your avocation.  You might have to do it in conjunction with your current job, but start it.  Do you want to paint, write, make music, dance, be a politician or preacher?  Take one small step every day in that direction, don't miss a day, and work toward that goal.   I believe it is an old Chinese proverb "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".

Great advice.  I would also suggest checking in with the Lord for direction and guidance.   See, I believe you can pray your way out of it and God does give us enough faith to start with.  God, however, will need YOU (ME) to actually DO something in conjunction with Him answering our prayers.  We can't sit on the couch waiting for a call. 

So, here's to taking a step today, even right now after you read this.  Here's to growing in faith, or finding it in the first place.  Here's to less drugs and more effort.  And may God Bless us, everyone.

I am Judas

Being Palm Sunday, pretty much every Christian church Gospel readings and sermons will be about Christ's entry into Jerusalem.  He was going to celebrate the Passover, knowing all the time he was heading for crucifiction, death, and more....but that's next week.

I started thinking about Judas.  This was the disciple who ended up "selling out" Jesus to the authorities for 30 pieces of silver (that's where the term "blood money" comes  from by the way).  Judas would leave the Passover meal early to find the religious elite and take them to where Jesus went after dinner, the garden of Gethsemane.

Judas told those who would arrest Jesus, "the man I kiss on the cheek is Jesus".  Well, the rest of this story is for Easter weekend.  We'll focus on Judas now.

Judas had some issues from the beginning.  He was the one who held the disciple's money bag, for offerings they received to help the poor.  Only sometimes Judas would help himself to some cash.  I guess he figured he "deserved" a little bit.  Sometimes I feel I "deserve" an early departure from work, or a longer lunch, I work hard....

Judas really got cheesed when a woman of low status (we might say not only had she been around the block a few times but that the street might have been named after her) took some very expensive perfume, probably her only possession of worth, and poured it on Jesus' hair.  Judas thought it was a waste, "that perfume was worth a year's salary, it could have been sold and used for the poor".  Judas probably was thinking how much he would have made on the deal.  I get jealous sometimes when I think someone got a better deal than me, even when I think I "deserved" more.

See, Judas followed Jesus because he heard Jesus was "King of the Jews".  He thought Jesus came as a warrior king, to kick the Romans out of Israel and become the reigning monarch of the nation.  Judas did not so much have a taste for war but for the spoils of war.  He thought of living in palaces with the new king, sharing riches of the kingdom, being a "big shot".  When Jesus came as a humble servant, preaching peace, speaking about being a humble servant, and turning the other cheek when someone insults you, Judas became disillusioned.  He figured he could make some money selling out this Jesus.  I've taken jobs for the promises of extra money, status, etc. even when the job I had treated me well and paid me fairly; and I certainly remember that when you just "go for the money" you end up working with people who don't necessarily care for you, but ONLY what you produce.  And it's an empty feeling.

Judas never really believed that Jesus was who He said He is, "I and the Father are One".  Judas was looking for fame and fortune, the spoils of war, riches of a king, status of the "upper crust".  It was only after betraying Jesus did Judas go back to the religious leaders, throwing their money back at them.  With the money, a field was purchased to bury poor people, since those pious religious people couldn't hold on to this blood money.  Judas, who would hang himself in guilt, would end up in that field.  Sometimes I wish I could take back things I've said or done that have negatively affected others.  But what is done is done.

I look at myself, a proclaimed Christian.  I think of how I dreamed of winning the most recent $640 million jackpot to live in a bigger better home with a bigger better car and not have to work anymore.  I remember the times I have done EXACTLY the opposite of what Jesus would do, either because I didn't want to miss out on some fun, or miss out on an event, or miss out on making fun or sport of someone.  I think of the times when I want so much to live in a "mansion" or in some tropical paradise, or be some famous writer or speaker or something.  Then I think of how little that matters. 

The real payoff is after this life is over.  Eternity is a long time.  This life is fairly short.  If I can only take hold of that hope of eternity in a place where there is no sorrow, no pain, no disappointment.  A place where there is no racisim, no sexisim, no pressure to keep up with the Jones' and no dog-eat-dog mentality.  Just peace, joy, love in the presence of the Lord whose only desire is that you trust in Him and trust Him at his Word.

Judas never got it, until it was probably too late for him.  I sometimes am Judas, when I put my selfish desires above those of the Father, and above those around me who deserve something better than a selfish father, friend, co-worker or boss. 

When life seems like it's tough to take, maybe it's because I'm trying to go my own way, instead of the way of the Father.  And I know His way is great; I know when I do follow His ways my life is much more complete and peaceful; even when trouble or sorrow or pain come my way, He makes it easier, because He is always with me.  My journey from here on out?  To follow Christ even to the cross, because eternity with Him trumps anything this world has to offer.

Okay, Where's the Separation?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The message above is the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.   This is where people of no faith go to when they scream "separation of church and state"!  You'll note there is no such language.  The part of religion mentioned here just means the government can't tell you how, what or where to worship.

This amendment clearly allows free expression of religion, meaning if a judge wants to put a sculpture of the 10 commandments in his courtroom, he can.  If there is another judge who wants to do one for the Quran, that's okay, too.  If a student wants to begin with a prayer at a sporting event, prom or graduation, so be it.  See, we have the judicial arm of our governing system basically ruling against our own constitution when they don't allow the "free excercise thereof" in respect to religion.   The judicial arm isn't supposed to have a say in this, Congress is, and they're not allowed to install a government-backed religion or outlaw a particular religion.

Now we have the Health and Human Services directive that even religious employers must offer employees paid contraceptive medications, devices, etc. as part of their health care.  This is TYPICALLY backed by the Obama administration and members of the President's party.  Why aren't those same people who would threaten to arrest a Texas teen if said teen opened graduation ceremonies with a prayer standing up and shouting "Separation of Church and State!"?

I guess nowadays, you can only use the "separation" words (that do not exist in the Constitution by the way), if it benefits non-religious interests.  If that same phrase BENEFITS a particular religion, apparently it doesn't count or doesn't exist.

I will never understand why it is so important to allow people to end pregnancies or prevent them. I do believe the smaller the population, the easier it is to control.  I believe if you pander to enough special interests, you can "buy" their votes in elections.  I believe when you make the value of a life simply a word like "choice" you reduce value of human life in general, making it very easy to defend, oh let's say a health care program that will refuse care to a very ill older person, because their life is worth less than a similarly ill younger person. 

You might say "separation of church and state is in the constitution".  I say find it and show it to me.  Then look up some Thomas Jefferson letters and see if you find it there and check the context.  Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindi, and other religions are constitutionally guaranteed the right to freely express their religions.  In my opinion, if religious employers demand that those taking a paycheck from them live under a specific set of rules knowing at time of hire they are going to be under the guidelines of that religion's order, there should be no governmental pressure to change the religion to match the employees beliefs.

You might despise organized religion.  You might be one whose faith is first in their life.  Either way, you both have freedoms to lose if the HHS decree is allowed.  When the government starts getting into YOUR business, you'll be looking for help, and all the ones who would help will be outlawed, or gone.  The government should fear the people.  We have the power to vote the buggers out, and replace them with real hard-working Americans who will look at the constitution not as an ancient document flawed by the lack of sophisticated technology, but as the real beliefs of a people looking to create a nation that serves it's populace, and not the opposite.

Just a Wandering Mind

I am always amazed at the press a dead entertainer gets these days.  It was big news when Marilyn Monroe died, but not the hub-bub of Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston.  It's not clear to me why their funerals were telecast, why so many people had to comment on so many issues.

These are people for whom life held no meaning, apparently.  It seems they misused their gifts at the end, using drugs and/or alcohol to mask an emptiness that no top-ten hit, countless buckets of money nor fan adoration could fill.

I think back of my mother deceased some 3 plus years now.  How she bravely faced cancer and a terminal diagnosis, and passed away sweetly (though loudly snoring) after 84 years.  This is a woman who only found true love at age 50, had a couple failed marriages, lived in a poor miner's home as a child and in a lower-middle class lifestyle as an adult.  She managed to live past age 48 or 50.

I think of my friend Doug, killed in a rock-climbing accident when only 24 years old.  He grabbed life for all it is worth and would've lived a thousand life times over compared to mine if he only could have even doubled his years.

I think of so many of the disabled people for whom my company provides products and how they manage through neuro-muscular diseases, amputations, closed-head injuries and the like to get through each day, most with as sincere a smile you will ever see, and many with real tears.  I see them grabbing for life  rather than woe-is-me drama, they provide support for others in similar situations, speak to youth groups and school-aged children, write, paint and just get along.

If I could advise some of these "stars" I'd tell them to take off their make-up, their fancy wardrobe, lose their entourage and go out regularly volunteering in their communities.  Spend some time in adult foster homes, playing games or taking walks with the residents; maybe buy them some dinner, or cable or whatever.

I would encourage these lonely celebrity souls to come with me to church, pack bags at a food bank to be delivered by others, visit nursing homes and senior homes and simply read, or sing or hang out and speak to the residents.  I would encourage them to visit sick children in hospitals and write letters to the troops overseas, all without the presence of photographers, publicists, stylists, wardrobe assistant or make-up person.

When someone values, really values the lives of others, then they can find value in their own lives.  When I think of Houston, Jackson, Joplin, Belushi, Monroe, Hendrix, and so many others who have taken their own lives with weapons, booze or drugs I see so many empty lives.  What a shame to have so much and have nothing.

If you have an emptiness in you and you've tried filling it with lousy relationships, chemicals, food, a reckless lifestyle or whatever your coping mechanism is, I have a thought for you.  Get on your knees right now and talk to God.  Ask Jesus Christ to make Himself known to you.  Pray for forgiveness, ask Him for His love; tell Him you are looking for Him, your Father, to fill that empty spot inside you.  See, so many times that empty hole is where we have taken God out.  Ask Him to fill you with His love, ask Him to be real to you. 

Your life might not be peaches and cream right away.  But as you draw near the Lord and He draws near to you, you will know there is a place of perfect peace in the Lord.  Fill up your emptiness with the One who offers truth, peace and love.  Oh yeah, and he'll never leave you or forsake you.   If you're not sure how, drop me a line or comment.  I'm here to give you a hand.  Maybe there is a person in your life who needs you to reach out.  Whitney could've use a hand, Michael and the rest.  Let all of us secure in the love of God reach out to those who are in obvious need.  God Bless.

Stings a bit....

So I'm listening to Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio the other day.  I can't remember exactly what he was talking about but he said, "you hear it and it stings, because it's true and it's uncomfortable".  How many times have you heard "the truth hurts"?  Sometimes it does.

Then I started to think about a little different angle.  Many years ago, boxer Cassius Clay decided to be a follower of Islam and took the Muslim name Muhammed Ali.  Fine, fine, it's really fine.  Your choice, man.  Bless you for having the courage of your convictions.  Shortly after his commitment of faith, he would begin each interview after a (successful) fight with "First of all I'd like to give praise to Allah".

Nary an interviewer ever mentioned, complained, editorialized or pontificated about this.  And it wasn't just once and, remember, Ali was about the biggest name in sport for a time and truly a citizen of the world.  Not a peep out of mainstream "journalism". 

There was an NBA basketball player, might have been Mahmood Abdul Raouf or someone like that, who would not stand for the US National anthem before games (or anytime I suppose).  He claimed it was due to his religion (Islam).  There was a bit of a clamor, but it died down, and this guy was no Kobe Bryant, anyway.

Many boxers in the 70's and 80's when the networks televised a lot of middleweight, welterweight and other boxing matches would give praise to Allah, after a win.  I guess nobody interviews the loser much anyway.

So then we've had Kurt Warner, for one, and Tim Tebow for another give glory to Jesus.  Warner took some much publicized flak about it.  Tebow has been villianized, vilified and pulverized for his open declaration of faith.

Why not so much as a whimper when someone in a prominent position praises Allah and why so much disdain, really, when someone praises Jesus, or simply praises God?  Well, maybe it's as Cowherd said, "it stings a bit, because it's true and it's uncomfortable". 

I believe even aetheists know there is something to this Jesus guy.  It's written in the Bible "even the demons know his name...and shudder".  And when He (Jesus) gets good press, it stings a bit, because the truth hurts.  So sometimes we try to bury a stinging truth by ridicule, maybe by ostracizing someone, maybe by trying to "find the bad" in someone who trys to "act so good".  You know, Tim Tebow, Kurt Warner, and others still give the glory and praise to God even when they lose a game, or have bad day at work, or school, or at home because Jesus said "I AM the way and the truth and the life."  If you try to ignore it, it stings a bit, because you know it's true and it's uncomfortable.

I'll sign off, still giving the glory and honor and praise to God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Merry, uhh Happy,uhhh, Season's, uhhh, Have a Good One.

If you are a Christian, or at least if you believe in God, Christmas time is a great time for either just touching base with your faith or really connecting again as if for the first time.  It's a weird time because even the most pious Christians that Jesus might not want to hang out with are either looking forward to opening presents, eating well, or getting their newly charged Starbucks gift cards.  At least here in America.

There was a column in the Detroit News by Editor Nolan Finley.  He wrote as he was leaving a store after Christmas shopping, he held a door open for a lady entering and said, "Happy Holidays".  Finley wrote that the lady "barked" back," I say Merry Christmas!" in a tone more suited to a union strike vote or Congressional Debate in South Korea just before someone gets kung-fu'd.

Finley wrote that he is a Christian, and didn't mean anything more than to give her a pleasant greeting, but was taken aback by her.....almost militant behavior (my words not his).  I have to admit, I think some folks are getting a bit too worked up over words sometimes.

One of my favorite songs this time of year is "Happy Holidays" when sung by Andy Williams.  The song was recorded probably in the 1960's and nobody then was worried about the secular media, de-empahsizing of the Christian aspect of the season, etc.  It is a pleasant song and makes me smile. Williams also recorded "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" with something for toasting and marshmallows for roasting, etc. with nary a mention of Christmas.

 Now my favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night" sung by virtually anyone, I suppose, even Young Jeezy if he does it straight.  Is he still Young Jeezy?  Or has he aged to the point of "Just Jeezy"?  I can tear up during a version of "Silent Night" I love "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and I enjoy reading Luke Chapter 2 verses 8-11.  It's Christmas, right?

Just a segway, here, or is it a segue?  Gotta check that.  Anyway, while I was going door-to-door with some church folk inviting parents to send their kids to church in our Bus Ministry a couple years ago, I spotted two teen girls listening to a rap song in a car.  I walked over, waited until the song ended, and asked, "who is that"?  Now, they knew we were church people, and on top of that we were all caucasian church people in an area of Detroit where most white folk were either cops or drug-buyers.  Really.

So the young lady says, "It's Young Jeezy."  It was a catchy tune, and I told her that and asked her to tell me about Young Jeezy.  She mentioned a couple of things I really can't remember, she didn't know too much about him, other than he was cute and the CD was very good.  Then she asked what we were doing there, and I said, "you told me about Young Jeezy and  we're telling people about this guy Young Jesus".  They actually were very polite when I shared a bit of faith with them, told 'em thanks for their time and went to the next house.  See, you don't have to hit people over the head with your faith, or cut off heads, I suppose.  When God gives you an opening, go ahead and walk through it with courtesy and love.  (And of course confidence because you are certain of your faith and even a Happy Holidays won't shake it).

So next time someone wishes you a Happy Holiday, go ahead and say "Merry Christmas" if you want, or say thanks, or even give 'em a handshake and pat on the shoulder.  But don't act like a spoiled brat or angry mob-inciter and growl out a Christmas greeting that sounds more like fightin' words.  And, hey, for most of us who claim to be Christian, maybe we should wish more people Merry Christmas every other part of the year except December and maybe they'll listen more.

Jesus had a couple issues with religious people.  First, they thought they knew everything about God and nobody else did.  Second, He was kinda cheesed that they seemed to try to BECOME the Almighty rather than WORSHIP the almighty.  Finally, He felt those religious types actually made it difficult for the "sinners" and normal folk to enjoy a relationship with God.  So, when Jesus got the most angry, it was with religious types. You could look it up.

For those of you who proclaim Christ as Lord;  If you indeed read your bible, you know that as time goes on, people will be less interested in an Almighty God and Savior, "the love of most will wax cold", etc.  These times are a sign for us to be extra certain to let people know that God is Love, and through that love He offers eternal life in His Son.  Don't chase people away by being a big cranky-pants at Christmas or any other time.

  Be relational, not religious, be personable, not pious, be a lover of people, not an arbiter of holiday greetings.  Show love, like Jesus did, and worry about the sematics later. With respect to people of all faiths, or none, Merry Christmas.

Occupy THIS

So we have the Occupy Movement.  I must admit, I remember this during the 60's in the campus unrest days.  You had the Berrigans bombing ROTC offices on campus, sit-ins, love-ins, some destruction and wanton rioting, you know.  But during all that unrest, the idea was to tell the government to keep their hands off freedoms.  The 60's were about reminding the "powers that be" that the real power was with the people.

Now, point one, I applaud peaceful protest, and even violent protest depending on the situation.  I applaud those excercising their rights as Americans and freedom to assemble and protest.  I think the concept of  this protest iteself is great.  The part of the Occupy Movement (or OM as I'll call it) that bothers me is that it seems this band of protesters, funded and backed by some big money (from big industry, I might add...George Soros anyone?) seem to WANT the government to take over banks, regulate industry and decide how to allocate wealth.  THAT' S scarier than Abbey Hoffman and the Chicago Six (or was it 7?).  It's scarier than the Black Panthers, the John Birch Society and Jehovah's Witnesses....

I fear that these people who would take from the rich and give to the not-so-rich forget, as they surf on their MacBook, update facebook status ("sitting in the rain smoking hookah") on their iPhones, listening to music on their iPods and tweeting such deep thoughts as ("some of the people are urinating out in the open") forget that corporate greed is in direct response to the need of the public to have all this cool stuff, them included.  AND, if you let the government spread the wealth, there won't be any except in the government (and the big businesses supporting those in power).

I'd like all the people in the OM to think a bit about how talented our senators, representatives, the President and his cabinet are at balancing a budget....Now you're thinking.  You really think they can spread the wealth to lift everybody up, or will most of us be taking a big step back?

Maybe instead of trying to bring down big business and big banking, we can switch money to credit unions, sure, fine.  Maybe instead of bringing down big corporations we will invest in those who, rather than squeeze every nickel out of their company to inflate stock prices and fill the pockets of big investors, they will invest in the neighborhoods where they operate, take a bit of a dividend loss to enrich the lives of their employees and others in ways other than financially. 

WE can stop buying stock and products in "evil companies".  Go ahead.  But don't think it's cool to buy goods from foreign companies because we've seen the sweatshops, melamine in formula and other examples by those companies.

Maybe it's time we the people took back our government.  Don't vote for the usual suspects.  Real grass roots involvment would be to find that person who is all about what's right versus who's right.  Hey!  Everyone should run for office for something somewhere.  Get actively involved.  Occupying a spot and spouting rhetoric (blogging) is fine, I give you points for some involvement.  But let's all get really involved and do the hard work to roust all the Republicans and Democrats and put Americans into offices.  Maybe one of those people will be you.  I announce now that I will run for something next time around.  Maybe I can still get some play for President this time around, you never know.  I challenge each of you to do it, too.

And, as always my friends, May God Bless you and keep you.  Know that beyond corporate bail-outs, partisan politics and just crazy-ass stuff in this world, there is One who you can count on.  When this stuff gets you down, cry out to Jesus, let him know you're scared or hurting or worried.  Wait on His Presence quietly.  And let Him lead you through the hard work it takes to make a world better.  See 'ya.