Silence Of the Lambs

What is happening with the Church today??? I'm not talking 'churches', as in Baptist, Methodists, etc....I mean THE Church. The Chosen of God who will be Raptured soon...THAT Church! Where is our voice? Are we writing letters to our leaders? Are we writing letters to the editor of the local newspapers?? Do we speak out in public....outside the church walls... about what is happening in our world and especially in our country?? Do we care?? Does the Bible insist that we be involved with what goes on in our world?? Are there any Christian leaders today that we can trust??

WHY ARE THE LAMBS SILENT??

Why are we laying down? Does it not matter any more? Have we given up? Since our 'Home' is not of this world, do we have to give up on this one??

We are on the brink of global disaster....do we think that Iran and North Korea are just playing games with the FORMER World Power? (USA) Think we're NOT the FORMER World Power??? Who is in office that has been making a laughing stock of the 'good ol' USA' since January 20th of this year?? And add to that the global economy is driven by what happens in the US...why should there NOT be unrest in the world?

Are we the most loved nation on earth? Does the Muslim world love the US... or would they LOVE to see us defeated? They don't have to lift a finger because B.S. Obama is doing it for them and we're just sitting by singing our hymms and playing church....

Who cares anyway????????????

A Time Of Transition

(It has been my intention to write one per week, but it seems that time has not allowed my self-imposed deadlines--I'll try to do better....I have the topics if I can remember them....--DC)

Since my lay-off and subsequent time, I have discovered (by looking back) that I have been in a time of transition. One could say, "Well, duh!" but I think that it is more that just that! It's not really anything that I can put my finger on, nor will I express all the turmoil that is going on inside, because even I myself, cannot figure that one out! But the transition is there, none-the-less!

I have recently discovered some of what I call, 'Vintage Vestiges' (dontcha like that one??) Feelings and memories of some good times from the past that seem to have come to full circle and are conflicting with the present. I'm not exactly sure what that means or insinuates, but it is really a strange place to be, even for me! I'm not real good with dealing with my feelings, what ever they are....about different situations and in this text, the time...but I am torn between two chasms--one from that time, the other from now. Is it possible to blend them?? I can't say, because the path is before me yet! Either could be a good choice but a blend could be a much better match!

You know, in the past few months I have been with Denise and cared for her during her accident with her knee; gotten new glasses so that I can sortof see better; I've done some painting and stained the front deck, laid flooring in the 'foyer' (entrance)....that's like supper (dinner)--which is a pet peeve of mine....maybe for a future post--LOL! Done some reading, and some writing; re-did my website (worldofdanny.com ); took a deeper interest in what I loosely call my 'photography'--(I keep writing this out so as to spark a clue from within...you know if you write the 'pros' and the 'cons' down on paper, sometimes it clears up a decision some)

It's been many years since I've written in such mystery--it's a talent that has long since been hidden within because, quite frankly, I'm not too inhibited to write whatever my feelings and thoughts are because I have an audience of one (myself) beside my Father in Heaven, Who is audience of ALL! But writing this all down just seems to clear it up some,... if not muddy it up some as well!

The easy road or that which is more out-of-the-box? Actually, doors have creaked open that inspire 'change' but what is that to be? One could read this and read into it something that is not in my mind at all--like adultry, but that is TOTALLY not at all it. Nope, nope.... It is a journey that is neither harmful nor necessary.

What's really funny about all this is the fact that I HATE 'change'!!!!!!!

I just wonder if other so-called 'normal' people ever have these 'Vintage Vestiges'??

Confused?

GOD IS In Control!

As the 'world turns' and the days pass I am constantly reminded that GOD is in control! It is HIM Who is in charge of all the stuff...the BIG stuff and the small stuff!

Last Monday Mom had her gall bladder surgery...it was scheduled for 3:30 PM but they hospital called and we were to have her there at 9:00 and surgery began around 10:00 and by 10:45 Dr. Robinson was talking with Sandy and me in the conference room about how well Mom did during surgery! She spent about an hour in recovery and when she got to her room she was as wide awake as before we got to the hospital! And on Tuesday morning she came home! Within a 24 hour period, she had surgery and was home!!!

It's a shame that she had to endure such a long time of being sick when all along it seems to have been a bad gall bladder...but it is a Blessing to see that she is doing so well...still a ways to go before full recovery but she is doing remarkable well!! I have to admit that I am pleasantly surprised but I am again reminded that GOD is in control!

Sometimes in the midst of the storm...whatever the storm may be...it is difficult to see the Hand of God but I/we should always know that His Hand is directly involved with any situation! As Max Lacado so elloquently said: "When you can't see His Hand...you can trust His Heart!!"

This past Saturday Denise and I had a pretty jam-packed day and in the midst of it we were driving thru town and as we crossed an intersection a mini van came running thru the light (which was red for them and green for us!) We had just passed the middle of the intersection when I heard the car I was passing to my left blow their horn and then a mini van went zooming by thru the intersection right behind our car!! We were just a split-second past the 'danger zone' of being hit by a car that I didn't even see! But my Father was and is in control!!

Thank You Father for always being in control, whether it is a health issue, a financial crisis, a job-loss, an almost accident or whatever may come our way!

Remembering Tony

Yesterday marked the 3 year anniversary of my friend Tony Morin's departure from this world. I think of Tony often and I also think of all those who are clinging to life every day, whether it's a struggle with cancer, or like little 4 year old Preston Lloyd who is in dire need of a miracle from God after suffering from a freak accident with a lawn mower. Life is a gift and often times we are oblivious to that fact until it's either too late--like in Tony's case or until one hears those dreadful words of a serious illness.

Tony had an infectious laugh and he was a friend to me from the first day that we were introduced. I cannot begin to tell of the times that he helped me at work and came to my assistance when I was in a difficult situation. He never once was aggitated or angry with my screw-ups, just glad to help and always with a smile. That is a rare quality in a person these days, especially in a society that instructs to cover you own *ss and don't worry about the other guy.

Poor Tony was accident prone himself because he was forever getting cut or stapled or some kind of thing was going on with him...some of it could be that he worked so hard and so fast! Even in the winter when it would be cold, Tony would be sweating from his rapid pace! He did quality work too, which was impressive and a testament to his character as well!

I'm not going to speak about the why's and the what if's that could have saved Tony from his early departure, it would serve no purpose now and it could only bring myself more guilt for not trying to respond to his reaching out at a time that I didn't understand his deep dispair. Tony was a good guy and a great friend and I still love him and his memory and I look forward to seeing him again one day in heaven and renewing our friendship!

I remember once when his brother asked me to borrow a couple of dollars one day right before lunchtime and I told him that he was Tony's brother and he was gold! I meant it too...you're gold Tony! And I still miss you!!

Life is a gift!

It's A Wonderful Life

Is that what I'll write at the end of mine?? Every day of my life I am again reminded of how short life is and how brittle our health can be. Last week we had to take my Mom to the hospital because she had been sick and throwing up and just losing everything that she ate. This continued for a few days and she finally gave in to go to the emergency room, where they admitted her to the hospital for 'infection'. As it turned out, Dr. Stout called it a 'stomach virus' altho it could be that it was her gallbladder, which they determined, was full of gall stones. We went in on Wednseday and home on Friday but it took her several more days and is just now getting to feeling a bit better. And we are still looking at a possible surgery on her gall bladder in the near future.
And then this week, on Tuesday a friend who has been like a second Mother to me for many years, Mary Belle Mesiemore had to go to the hospital as well, ands they had to remove her gall bladder. It was a series of events that only our Father could have orchestrated for me to even be involved with. Mary Belle was suffering from low blood pressure and low blood sugar levels as well and it was a Blessing to get her admitted in to the hospital and get her some relief.
I guess that my reason for bringing this up is that we are absolutely dependent on our health and in many instances we are oblivious to what are usually facts on the matter. Health--good health--is the one thing that we humans seem to take for granted, much like life itself!
I am reminded every day of the joys and difficulties that we are constantly faced with every day, every breath! So many things in life are 'not fair'...so many situations that we endure are totally out of our hands--one example is the issues facing our country...the moral decline of our leaders, the issues facing the family, our world-view or lack-there-of...there was a time when we were a God-fearing nation and now we don't even acknowledge His presence at all in our government!
It IS a wonderful life, even with all it's ups and downs, twists and turns, highs and lows...it's what we make of it in all those times and how we act and react to situations and difficulties. I've heard it said that character in not made in the good times but during our bad times and how we respond to them!

A Dog's Life

We got Meggie in a funny way....we traded a cat for her! We had this kitten that we were going to take to the pet store that used to be on Hwy. 21 between Troutman and Statesville. When we went into the store they had this little puppy that was sooooooo cute....looked just like a small Britney Spaniel...brown and white...she was in a little cage and I got her out and was playing with her. (We had called before and they said that they would take the kitten).

We wound up bringing her home and Christening her "Meggie" ....after the girl in "The Thorn Birds" mini-series. Thus began life with a 'inside dog'....which Denise said we would never have but she soon fell in love with her and soon began the task of house-breaking her and getting her used to living in a kennel (at night).

She quickly became a part of the family and even traveled with us on a trip to the beach to stay a few days at a beachhouse with Chris & Regina and both of our families. (Never took a dog on vacation before....). I guess it was fitting considering that we got Meggie on Regina's birthday (July 13th) in 1996. Of course they, and everyone who ever met Meggie just fell in love with her and she seemed to love everyone too!

She got her name 'Fuzzy' from Josh (she looked like a little fuzz ball) and was just a part of the family. She would play with her toys and enjoy Christmas morning just like a person or a kid would...opening her present and ripping in to it!! She was always funny to watch when she would get one of her toys and shake it back and forth in her mouth like she was killing an enemy or something. We could have made some good $$$ had we video-taped her playing with them too!!

As she got older she lost her eyesight but not her zest for life until recently when she just got sluggish and she was hurting and didn't even want to get up or eat or move around at all. That dreadful day that you never want to realize came to pass yesterday as we had to have her put to sleep.

There'll never be another Meggie...she lived a good life and not necessarily a 'dog's life'. We'll miss you Meggie!!!

Play Ball!!!

Well, it's "that time" again, the time when you can smell it in the air: BASEBALL! What a longggg winter it has been since that last pitch made the Phillies World Champs last October! Now, all the teams start out even 0-0...expectations run high and all the teams think they have a chance for success! And in the end, only the elite will make the October dance!

I'm excited about the new season, altho I was given a sad blow a couple of weeks ago when my sister changed from Directv to Dish Network--a I LOST my beloved MLB Network! All Baseball-24/7! Well...easy come, easy go...at least there's still ESPN! ESPN's Baseball Tonite lasts for 1 hour, MLB's Baseball Tonite lasts for 6 hours!!!

But, my beloved Cardinals will start the season with Mr. Carpenter on the active roster and they have hopes of making the post season...the Red Sox look pretty strong again in the AL East...the Braves may be a couple of players away from contending with the powerful Mets and returning Phillies... but all-in-all it looks to be a GREAT season!! It'll be the first year in 20 seasons that the fantastic John Smoltz will not be with the Braves but he moves over to the Red Sox and hopes to make a June/July return to the mound!!

Hey--I'm even excited about the New Yankee Stadium--the one where a ticket will cost you more than most people's car payment! But a monster of a new park!!

You know, I am starting my 43rd Baseball Season as a fan--42 years of baseball memories--with many more from the past and those to be built this year as well!

LOVE me some baseball!!! If only I could see my Lou Brock start in left field one more time....:O)