Well, it started this way. I was laying in bed praying one of those generic sort of prayers, you know the kind, not exactly a, "now I lay me down to sleep…" sort of prayer but a bless my children and my friends and Uncle Tom and Dick and Mary, etc. etc. etc. sort of prayer. I'm sure you know the kind.
there I was, praying, or what passes for prayer for some of us, when I asked the Lord a dumb question. (I, unlike most of you, have asked a lot of dumb questions.)
I prayed, "lord, how much time do you want me to spend in prayer?"
Immediately, as in answer to my question, into my mind flashed, "pray without ceasing!" O.K., that is sorta direct. Then I get this next message, almost as an addendum, "Yes, pray without ceasing, and remember, you are praying not only for yourself but Nancy as well."
O.K. Lord, but what does that mean, pray without ceasing? And He answered, "Have a heart of prayer!" Wow, He has healed my heart. He is restoring me to complete health, for what purpose? For me? Why? So that I might be a channel of His love!
"Pray without ceasing." O.K. Father, give me a heart of prayer. Give me a heart of love. Give me a heart of mercy, give me a heart of patience, turn my heart to you.
I still haven't quite got it, the "pray without ceasing" thing but I at least am leaning in the right direction.
One thing I have discovered is that when one prays, I mean really prays, like as in, talking with Papa God, you are apt to say some things that at first don't seem quite, well, respectful.
What I mean by that is when you ask to hear His voice.
Yes, that's right, "Papa God, please let me hear your voice, let me sense your presence!"
Pray that prayer and then try to keep doing the things that you know you shouldn't do. It isn't easy, at least for me.
Another thing I ask is for Him, being God, to walk with me and then I carry that a step further, "Papa God, dance with me!"
I have been so filled with joy at His presence when I am alone that I dance with a joy and a wild abandon.
Try it sometime.
When you are walking in the woods and you know no one is watching, (We really don't want to be locked up in a local booby hatch do we?) raise your hands over your head, throw your head back, smile, and skip and whirl and jump and hop and praise Him who is worthy of all praise.
Holy angels will dance with you!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
THE BRAIN CLOUD, A TERMINAL ILLNESS?
If you have a brain cloud please keep reading. If you don't believe you have a brain cloud keep reading anyway because you probably do and are in deep denial.
Joe, Tom Hanks' character in the movie, "Joe vs. the volcano" is a dyed in the wool hypochondriac. He goes to a doctor who tells him that he has a "brain cloud" and only has six months to live.
Joe expresses relief at this "good"news. He always knew something was wrong with him and this brilliant Doctor has confirmed it by agreeing with him!
I absolutely love joe's response to the Doctor's diagnosis. Joe says, "So, I'm not sick except for this terminal disease!"
The Doctor reassures Joe with the words, "You have some time left, my advice to you is, live it well."
That seems to be pretty good advice for everybody, no matter the circumstances, no matter the difficulty. "You have some time left, my advice to you is, live it well."
One day I found Nanny standing in the middle of the living room with an expression of confusion on her face.
There are those times in the past when a blank look precluded a seizure where she would just collapse, unconscious to the floor but this was different, simply confusion.
She glanced at me as I asked her what was wrong and then she said in that little girl voice, "I wanted to vacuum the floor but I lost the vacuum cleaner?"
Gently, with a smile, I said, 'Honey, turn around."
She looked at me questioningly and I repeated myself. "Nanny, turn around and look behind you sweetheart."
Now what I really wanted to say at that point was, "Well turn around and look behind you, you dingbat!" But I didn't. I chose the more gentle approach, this time.
She slowly turned. The vacuum was standing behind her no more than three feet away.
She looked at me, still that look of confusion wrinkling her brow.
I pointed at the vacuum cleaner and asked, "Is that what you're looking for honey?"
Then her eyes lit up as she smiled and clapped her hands like a little child as she exclaimed, "Oh, there it is!"
How does one lose an upright vacuum cleaner that is standing within arms reach?
Easy when you are having difficulty keeping things organized. Easy when you forget where you are. Easy when nothing comes easy anymore. Easy when you sometimes forget who you are.
I guess you can learn to appreciate the little things because the incident with the vacuum cleaner turned out good, she at least remembered that she was looking for the vacuum cleaner.
So, I've got to ask you, who has the brain cloud, Nanny because she is ill, or me because I'm a grumpy old poop? (Nanny agrees with the grumpy old poop part.)
Joe, Tom Hanks' character in the movie, "Joe vs. the volcano" is a dyed in the wool hypochondriac. He goes to a doctor who tells him that he has a "brain cloud" and only has six months to live.
Joe expresses relief at this "good"news. He always knew something was wrong with him and this brilliant Doctor has confirmed it by agreeing with him!
I absolutely love joe's response to the Doctor's diagnosis. Joe says, "So, I'm not sick except for this terminal disease!"
The Doctor reassures Joe with the words, "You have some time left, my advice to you is, live it well."
That seems to be pretty good advice for everybody, no matter the circumstances, no matter the difficulty. "You have some time left, my advice to you is, live it well."
One day I found Nanny standing in the middle of the living room with an expression of confusion on her face.
There are those times in the past when a blank look precluded a seizure where she would just collapse, unconscious to the floor but this was different, simply confusion.
She glanced at me as I asked her what was wrong and then she said in that little girl voice, "I wanted to vacuum the floor but I lost the vacuum cleaner?"
Gently, with a smile, I said, 'Honey, turn around."
She looked at me questioningly and I repeated myself. "Nanny, turn around and look behind you sweetheart."
Now what I really wanted to say at that point was, "Well turn around and look behind you, you dingbat!" But I didn't. I chose the more gentle approach, this time.
She slowly turned. The vacuum was standing behind her no more than three feet away.
She looked at me, still that look of confusion wrinkling her brow.
I pointed at the vacuum cleaner and asked, "Is that what you're looking for honey?"
Then her eyes lit up as she smiled and clapped her hands like a little child as she exclaimed, "Oh, there it is!"
How does one lose an upright vacuum cleaner that is standing within arms reach?
Easy when you are having difficulty keeping things organized. Easy when you forget where you are. Easy when nothing comes easy anymore. Easy when you sometimes forget who you are.
I guess you can learn to appreciate the little things because the incident with the vacuum cleaner turned out good, she at least remembered that she was looking for the vacuum cleaner.
So, I've got to ask you, who has the brain cloud, Nanny because she is ill, or me because I'm a grumpy old poop? (Nanny agrees with the grumpy old poop part.)
Saturday, November 7, 2009
"HOORAY,I'M SICK, WATCH GOD HEAL ME!"
"HOORAY, I'M SICK, WATCH GOD HEAL ME!"
Or, ATTITUDE 101
Well, where do I start? I suppose I should start about three weeks ago when I received a phone call from my baby sister, Dr. Pinky Doodle. (it drives her crazy when I call her that but I like to think that I am doing my part to keep her humble) Anyway, I get this phone call telling me that my 94 year old mama has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
My first question to myself was, "What business does a 94 year old woman have getting breast cancer?" My next question to myself was, "Do 94 year old women get breast cancer?" And my third question was…well, I don't know if there was a third question, after all, #1 and #2 were enough! Now most folks are some put out when they get news like that but not my mama, she says, "well now, I've lived a long and abundant life and if I go to sleep now it's o.k. 'cause I'll be with papa again and we will have all sort of good times together!" That is sort of paraphrased but you get the idea; she isn't afraid of the grim reaper, not a little bit.
Anyway, mama decided at first not to do anything about it but my sisters prevailed upon her to have a partial mastectomy and the doctor removed a tumor the size of a golf ball from her left breast. This is where the story gets rich. Mama has this sweet relationship with Papa God, they are on first name terms and they talk a lot and have real good times together so mama goes into the operating room singing praises to God and when she woke up the first thing she did was sing praises to God. Mama is an inspiration to most folks and a frustration to a few mean, nasty old farts but, please God, help me to know you like my mama knows you! 94 years old, (she weighs about as many pounds,) this little lady has more Christianity in her little finger than most folks ever dreamed of. She gives, not out of her abundance, she just gives. She sings, she quotes poetry, she plays the piano, she quotes entire chapters of the bible because it has become part of her. I could go on and on and on about my mama.
The doctor told my sis that mama could last several more years just because of her attitude!
Oh well, I sure am pleased to be Mrs. Towne's little boy!
You have a good day now ya hear,
Chaz
Or, ATTITUDE 101
Well, where do I start? I suppose I should start about three weeks ago when I received a phone call from my baby sister, Dr. Pinky Doodle. (it drives her crazy when I call her that but I like to think that I am doing my part to keep her humble) Anyway, I get this phone call telling me that my 94 year old mama has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
My first question to myself was, "What business does a 94 year old woman have getting breast cancer?" My next question to myself was, "Do 94 year old women get breast cancer?" And my third question was…well, I don't know if there was a third question, after all, #1 and #2 were enough! Now most folks are some put out when they get news like that but not my mama, she says, "well now, I've lived a long and abundant life and if I go to sleep now it's o.k. 'cause I'll be with papa again and we will have all sort of good times together!" That is sort of paraphrased but you get the idea; she isn't afraid of the grim reaper, not a little bit.
Anyway, mama decided at first not to do anything about it but my sisters prevailed upon her to have a partial mastectomy and the doctor removed a tumor the size of a golf ball from her left breast. This is where the story gets rich. Mama has this sweet relationship with Papa God, they are on first name terms and they talk a lot and have real good times together so mama goes into the operating room singing praises to God and when she woke up the first thing she did was sing praises to God. Mama is an inspiration to most folks and a frustration to a few mean, nasty old farts but, please God, help me to know you like my mama knows you! 94 years old, (she weighs about as many pounds,) this little lady has more Christianity in her little finger than most folks ever dreamed of. She gives, not out of her abundance, she just gives. She sings, she quotes poetry, she plays the piano, she quotes entire chapters of the bible because it has become part of her. I could go on and on and on about my mama.
The doctor told my sis that mama could last several more years just because of her attitude!
Oh well, I sure am pleased to be Mrs. Towne's little boy!
You have a good day now ya hear,
Chaz
Saturday, October 31, 2009
SUGER ADDICTION
Long before those decked out goblins and ghouls and superheroes arrive on doorsteps this Hollow’s Eve many adults will have dipped into their stock of candy. Though intended for trick-or-treaters, the majority of adults admit to purchasing their personal favorites during the biggest candy selling holiday of the year, expected to exceed $2.2 billion. This year the average American adult will consume about 160 pounds of sugar, despite ever growing awareness about its pernicious effects, ranging from diabetes to obesity. Could we be addicted to sugar?
It’s possible, according to Princeton University researchers who have studied the signs of sugar addiction in rats. They’ve shown that rats bingeing on sugar demonstrated the three elements of addiction: a behavioral pattern of increased intake and changes in brain chemistry; signs of withdrawal and further changes in brain chemistry upon deprivation; and, signs of cravings and relapse after withdrawal is over. Lead Researcher Bart Hoebel said sugar triggers the production of the brain’s natural opioids, and the rats become addicted just as they would to cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine. Do you have a sugar dependency you want to eliminate? Do you find yourself engaged unhealthy patterns such eating while watching television?
Pay attention to the messages you are sending yourself. When you make a statement, your brain searches its vast network and the world around to validate what you say and determine whether the statement is true or not. For instance, the statements “I have no willpower” or “I can’t stop eating sweets” automatically causes your brain to search for and find validation based on your limiting beliefs. The key is to ask questions and make statements that invite the tremendous power of your brain to seek positive outcomes and solutions.
Next time you’re about to cave in to an unhealthy craving or habit, ask yourself the following questions.
* How would I feel if I didn’t eat this sugary snack?
* What have I learned from my sugar dependency?
* In what ways have I already demonstrated possession of my desired healthy eating habits?
Place your questions in highly visible locations, such as near the refrigerator or next to the remote control. Consistent reminders will result in a noticeable shift in focus—from negative to positive.
Sugar intake lessons our mental, emotional and spiritual resistance.
(One thing the article didn't mention was prayer!)
It’s possible, according to Princeton University researchers who have studied the signs of sugar addiction in rats. They’ve shown that rats bingeing on sugar demonstrated the three elements of addiction: a behavioral pattern of increased intake and changes in brain chemistry; signs of withdrawal and further changes in brain chemistry upon deprivation; and, signs of cravings and relapse after withdrawal is over. Lead Researcher Bart Hoebel said sugar triggers the production of the brain’s natural opioids, and the rats become addicted just as they would to cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine. Do you have a sugar dependency you want to eliminate? Do you find yourself engaged unhealthy patterns such eating while watching television?
Pay attention to the messages you are sending yourself. When you make a statement, your brain searches its vast network and the world around to validate what you say and determine whether the statement is true or not. For instance, the statements “I have no willpower” or “I can’t stop eating sweets” automatically causes your brain to search for and find validation based on your limiting beliefs. The key is to ask questions and make statements that invite the tremendous power of your brain to seek positive outcomes and solutions.
Next time you’re about to cave in to an unhealthy craving or habit, ask yourself the following questions.
* How would I feel if I didn’t eat this sugary snack?
* What have I learned from my sugar dependency?
* In what ways have I already demonstrated possession of my desired healthy eating habits?
Place your questions in highly visible locations, such as near the refrigerator or next to the remote control. Consistent reminders will result in a noticeable shift in focus—from negative to positive.
Sugar intake lessons our mental, emotional and spiritual resistance.
(One thing the article didn't mention was prayer!)
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