Wishy-Washy

I know my own mind, unlike some people I know. They need people to constantly remind them that they are good, popular, and so right. I make my decisions based not on what is the latest buzz but on what my heart tells me is right based on my own decision-making process. As a Christian we are taught to uphold and regard highly, all life. All life, beginning from conception to it's natural end. Along with that comes the decision not to support the death penalty. So my vote was based on all of those questions. Did you vote your party? Your vote, once committed cannot be retracted.

Today, on the local radio station, we were well advised to not complain, especially, if we failed to vote in our candidate of choice. We participated. But, is that good enough if our candidate will not support human life? As Christians, we have that obligation, don't we? Are we just as much to blame as the politician, if we elected him in office? Are they really going to reflect our views 100%?

My suggestion is to do what was suggested on the radio today because I simply don't want to hear it any more. Your complaining is fruitless. You voted, now deal with it. Don't change the subject. What does it have to do with your political affiliation? We have loving Christians on both sides.

Oh by the way, I do know what side of the isle I sit on, I don't need a constant reminder, I've been there a very long time and intend to stay where I am comfortable. I am not easily influenced or to put it in another way, wishy-washy. My "vote" and my actions are on the side of "all life." There is no double standard with me.

If your waiting for Republican's to cross over to the other side, like Arland Spector, (at 79, what took him so long), you might be waiting for a long time, and if you think we will miss him, we won't. So don't hold your breath.

Bad News

When are you going to stop? All I here from everyone is bad news. Why? Don't you have anything better to do than to conjure up all the crap that you can politically and otherwise do to upset your brother? Do you think for one minute that we do not see what is going on in this world? Your complaint does not change a thing. Nor does it change God's plan. It may eventually make you and those around you sick, mentally. Lack of peace is a sure route to physical illness as well.

Last week we learned some good advise, watch out who you hang out with. "Influence" is another way to put it mildly. I can't change anything. Revolution is not in my vocabulary. Prayer is. I am called to Love. Part of that calling is to forgive. People will make mistakes, it is part of our humanness. As a Christian I must turn the other cheek.

A long time ago, a story was told to me during a class, like the statue of Christ, whose arms had been removed by shelling during a war, we are to be His hands. It was said that someone erected a sign which read "I have no hands but yours." It was placed in front of the statue so that people would get the message.

A very wise Orthodox priest named Fr. Dennis, gave an eastern interpretation on this story saying, that while it was intended to show that we are to serve Christ, it erred by placing us above Him. You could not even take a breath if it were not for Him. So what is our purpose then as we live through all the madness presented constantly in every direction as it seems today? Make Him your Lord and God again. Don't try to do His work. He still has everything in His control. He created all things and knows well the ending.

So render good for evil, love for hate, and above all put on Christ. Let His light show forth through the darkness.

If you have anything to say at all, say this: (Psalm 21:13)
"Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power."
(taken from the Orthodox Study Bible)

The truth is that we must let go and let God.

A New Friend

Last summer he was in his yard watching and smiling at me, but he couldn't speak a word of English. Yet, his oldest brother not only speaks fluently but reads "outstandingly" well.

He is one of three brothers. The middle one seems to have settled down some from last year. Anyway, I wouldn't say he is aggressive in nature, just shy and the language barrier did make a difference last summer. He would just come to the fence and smile at me, then say something in his own language that I didn't understand. It was sort of sad that I couldn't reply to his question.

This year it is a different story as he has learned to speak some English. Every time he see me he says Hello very enthusiastically, waving at the same time.

Last week he even had the courage to sit with me on the swing in my back yard. We were listening to the radio, I think it was the oldies show.

I went to the church today to plant a few flowers, perennials mostly and some mums that were still in their pots from last fall. It was hot, and we're not used to it, I think I got stung by a bee, at least it felt like one. Couldn't wait to get into the shower. As I drove into the driveway, there he was waiting for me. A big hello and a wave. He said, "do you want to play?"

Doesn't it make you feel good, when someone is happy to see you? Oh ya, I forgot to mention in this post that Carlos is a toddler, almost the same age as my grandson Nathan.

Favorite colorful flowers

One on my favorite flowers gives a lot of bang for the buck. It used to be that they were a popular shady plant but now they have developed a variety that also does well in the sun.

They look great either in a barrel or in a flower bank, and they require nothing more than water and fertilizer. You've probably guessed that they are called Impatiens. I used to refer to them as impatients, close enough. I think that we have more to do than squawk over flower pronunciations. No matter how you say it, the translation is beautiful. They are one of the first flowers in my garden and last, until the first frost. They say they are also called "touch me nots" or, "patience plant." The ones I like to grow are 10" to 12." They are not really cut flowers and because their stems are thick, they contain a lot of water like a cactus. I like the Australian variety best. Here is a site you can visit to learn about impatiens.

Go to this site to learn more about this wonderful flower.

Since I was a very little girl, outdoors in the spring, swinging and loving life, I enjoyed one flower over and above all else, the lilac. It is very fragrant and has amazing shades. Only second to the lilac are roses, also beautiful and aromatic. I found a site with a gallery of lilac images to view, take a look here. The family across the street from me has a beautiful tree in which the lilac's leaves are just starting to come through. I can't wait to see them. It's my favorite one, lightly purple, shaped like little crosses with a yellow center.

WHO is doing it to us again

What is the WHO (World Health Organization) doing to us again? Creating a climate of fear. The sky is falling. How many times will the sky fall before you realize that it isn't?

Several nights ago Dave Ramsey made it clear that much of the economic situation was exacerbated by fear mongers. Now its a pandemic upon us. Swine flu. The trouble is no one seems to be telling the truth these days. Is it a case of global warming? If it is, why is it that many scientists disagree with the theory?

The world is coming to an end, so say many, based on what? These are fear tactics that cause panic. The so-called religous gain huge followings by spewing that type of information, filling their pockets. That language has been going on for more than thirty years. Saying so doesn't make it so.

I recall during my childhood, my friend and neighbor Ray would sit on the porch and play his accordion or radio. One day he was all worried that a tornado was coming. In the fifties there was a tornado that hit Worcester, other than that, they are rare in these parts. He was over reacting, fear is catchy. When people heard there was going to be a thunderstorm, they would sprinkle holy water all over, especially on the window sills, then hide in a closet. Some went under the bed. Give me a break. You could hear the little old ladies scream after each and every strike. My dad would sit through the storm outdoors watching it, sometimes dragging us out there with him. No we didn't like the lightening, but you cannot live in fear.

Fear can devastate you. Saint Peter walked on the water, until he became afraid that he was going to die by drowning and in his fear called out to the only one who can help any of us, Jesus.

Remember this famous quote: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."---Franklin D. Roosevelt

So how should we be thinking about the impending swine flu? Probably the same way we encounter flu each and every year. Keep clean, wash your hands, avoid contact as much as possible with those who appear to have a virus (cold symptoms). Get plenty of rest, and eat good foods to keep your immunity to disease in check. Virus are thawarted by zinc and vitamin C. Beyond prevention, do what you should be doing, pray always and put your trust in the only one that can help you. That way you can avoid the pandemic fear which seems to be upon us at all levels and in all places these days.

Replace fear with faith and move on. Just simply tune it out before it tunes you out.

Go here for an interesting clip by Dr. Marc Siegel.

LIVING BY FAITH

Dave Ramsey inspired many who needed a kick in the pants. He brought to mind some of the famous words of my mom that I think were passed on from her upbringing. These words make you understand that as Dave said, it is really not dependent on anyone but you and your attitude, and the God who created you. How we like to use the excuse of the day. Whether or not you draw a paycheck, you are still accountable for your talents, caring and sharing with and for others.

Do you pray, do you go to church to worship? Or are you to big for that? God sees. (Moms words). We should focus on the word hope. I hope to... We know hope comes from God alone. No one else can save us. If you lose all you have, hopefully you will still have your faith. Do not Limit God and what He can do for you. "He will give you your heart's desire, if you let Him." So, with that in mind, irregardless of the work climate, and all that the media and statistics tell you, do not believe them, find out for yourself. Do you want to make it? Then DO IT.

Words from my mom. And for those of you who know me, it will sound familiar. "I will not take NO for an answer." "Did you try? TRY AGAIN." "Just do it." "You can do it if you want to."

Take a negative and turn it into a positive. Everyone still needs services. Food, child care, elderly care, home cleaning and maintenance, and a host of other jobs that maybe you can do on a part-time basis. If not paid, still the work has got to be done, so keep busy in the interim. Maybe you will see that with our different skills and talents we can all help each other, setting up sort of a bartering system. "You wash my back and I'll wash yours."

Let's get those gardens going, think of a way to keep warm, look for alternatives. In short, stop crying and do something!
You are not helpless and it is not hopeless. God only knows what you are to become with His help.

I have not worked for money in a little over a year. Does that mean I have not worked? Absolutely NOT. I've just not been paid for my services. You can always find something to do for someone else. Dave hit on something big when he said to get busy. He is really an inspiration because he had it all and lost it, only to rebuild. Do something positive. After all it is only paper. "This is how it works, give and it will be given to you."
The whole thing is we need to help each other. Rise above it. Get out, move. Otherwise you can get depressed which leads to illness. When is the last time you got together with people that make you laugh? You become the product of your environment. Be careful who you hang around with.

Failure is not in my vocabulary, stand strong. Learn to share, learn to care and be the best product you can be and that is Love. So get going and love one another.

The Most Important two letter word

Tonight, like many other's we were privileged to watch The Town Hall For Hope, live from Oklahoma City, OK from the Romanian Hall of St. Michael's Orthodox Christian Church, in Southbridge.

Following Dave Ramsey's presentation, a question and answer period from across the nation brought about interesting questions from various modes of communication.

He said many interesting things which our pastor Fr. Peter Preble entered onto face book to inform non attendees as to what was being said.

Every point was of value but one thing stuck in my mind because it was something that I had been dealing with all day.

What is the most important two letter word that you do not use enough, that had been used in the past more and needs to make a comeback? The word NO.

My grandson has that word down. I've been telling him not to use it all day. So from the mouths of babes, once again comes the answer to resolving some of the basic problems of fixing this economy.

Many people need to learn to say no, when they know that they cannot afford something in order to avoid the debt that gets you into trouble, financially.

Now in the case of a three-year old, the No is a different matter. I've always been taught that the word no is a negative remark.

No matter how you slice it, one of the smallest words, has a mighty big impact.

We should not allow our Government and leaders to make decisions unwisely. We need to tell them to say NO. While your at it join me in saying NO to the recession. Hope does not come from Washington, DC. Hope is not man made. I'm standing for HOPE.

For more information go here.

Thanks to Fr. Peter Preble for bringing us this opportunity to participate in the Town Hall style presentation for "hope." It was good to be able to share with our local community our thoughts and ideas over a cup of coffee and a tid-bit or two.