The Grand Scheme of Things

Oh Mother of God! Oops…will I get in trouble for that funny???? Did God make humor? The details of it all, the fighting over the details. Find it funny…laugh, find it offensive… move on. There is a HUGE space out there and NO ONE can wrap their head around it all. Take the good where you get it and be happy. Take that good and help OTHERS be happy (WIN-WIN). Are there books that are inspired by God, yes…every word…doubtful. Religion is inspired by God and man handled. This too is one opinion, from one unique individual to other unique individuals with much in common. Peace!

Walking with God…He teaches me to…

Spend time in love!
Walk in GRACE!
Lead with compassion!
Follow with humility!

When Weary

A recent, follow-up colonoscopy and more surgery by the same doctor that found the bone tumor two years ago (see Journey of Learning first tab) reveals need for another surgery. This time a wonderful surgeon I met with here locally will be removing 3 to 5 inches of small intestine and 1/3 of my large intestine along with surround lymph nodes. Things will still work the same, I’ll just be a little lighter; this is a bad way to lose weight! Ha!

A dear friend of mine has been through quite a lot herself and she sent me an email about being weary. I’ve included an excerpt from the email because I believe it was inspired by God for comfort for anyone who reads it. Because I do feel a little weary; then I remember that we all have our life journey, we all have a different and deeply personal experience with God. It is our choice, complete freedom of choice and if that doesn’t speak volumes about our God then I couldn’t imagine what would, He loves us that much.

May God’s will be done! Excerpt:

I know what you mean about becoming weary and this is when we will lean on God because He is our true strength. God can perform miracles when we let go and let God. I know that no matter what happens we can overcome it to His Glory and for His purpose. I’m not afraid but I’m not ready to part this place just yet. I still believe there is great work to be done by you and me and others like us. We are in the world but not of it. That can be so very hard. It can be burdensome to be strong all the time. Even Jesus felt the burden and didn’t understand. We are human and don’t understand it all but we do know the wonder of God…how awesome is that? How awesome to KNOW GOD!!!! WOW! Getting tears in my eyes, if we even thought about it very long we would be on our faces night and day in awe and praise. We could be that humble about it all but we are so blessed to be able to live and walk in Him. So that His work can be done as He calls us to do it.

I’m just glad He calls me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For Terror or Worse…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBohrmyo-I

I don’t mind someone running my name through a computer to see if I’m a terrorist…a murderer… or anything else illegal…unless…it is illegal to speak out about something…long pause

But after reports that Google and many other search engines keep all data and searches… Facebook wanting to keep all my information even if I delete my stuff…Facebook actually deleting an unfavorable comment I made last week….finding those New World Order videos just the other day (out of the blue…NOT looking for them), the constant yakity yak about globalization and now a benign referral to this video…it really makes one pause and wonder…

WHERE EXACTLY ARE WE HEADED?

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE tech!  I think this is remarkable technology and can be used to all kinds of good.  If only we could trust one another, ah yes, the ever elusive Utopia.

Databases…data being held about you from the time of your birth, where you are, etc. have been in existence for a long time…HOWEVER…it is getting easier, more people are selling their “proverbial souls” for the love and greed of money or power… AND (it is a big and too) “we the people” are sleeping…soundly, passively in our peaceful little worlds…it has happened before… more than once… recently… I pray it doesn’t happen again.  Then I realize I live in reality.

I’m truly not trying to be a fear-monger, the media does that well enough.  However, it isn’t like I’m out there looking for this stuff.   It comes to me, I share what I believe I’m to share.  Peace, love and joy to you.

RAnDom ThOUgHt

Oh Tae…here is a thought:

 

The “ME” generation turned their kids into the “WE” socialist generation so the “ME” generation could do anything they wanted to do and then the “ME” generation would be taken care of by the “We” generation.

 

 

 

Dreams

I wanted to tell you about the dream I had about Dad last night.

 

We were at the funeral home.  I had gone to an upstairs closet or bathroom that lead to another room that went higher and then to a sun filled place.  Kim was there with me and Dad walked in, he was so young and he looked so wonderful, probably around 35 or 40ish.  The funeral director came to the door.   Dad stood there for a minute and smiled and then went into the room and walked toward the other room that went a little higher and then into the sunlight he went.  I turned to Kim and said, “Didn’t he look so great and young?”  Kim said, “No, Deb I could only see him as an older man.”  I turned to the funeral director and he nodded.  I went down stairs to where the coffin was and Mom was standing alone in front of it.  And at the last minute all of Mom’s siblings came in walking in a straight line, arm in arm, all dressed in black and surrounded her in a circle. (kind of a representation of her family gathering around her).

 

All in all it was a good dream.  I miss him.

Some how I don’t find this funny,

I ACTUALLY LIKE THE IDEA!

 

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. 
Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend.  
To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 
bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.   Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.. 
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00. 
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a 

We Deserve It Dividend. 

 Of course, it would NOT be tax free.  So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%. 
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.  That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.   But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00. 

  

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved! 

Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads!

Put away money for college – it’ll be there! 

Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs. 

Buy a new car – create jobs.

Invest in the market – capital drives growth!
Pay for your parent’s medical insurance – health care improves!
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else! 

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+  including the folks
who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces. If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( “vote buy” ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.  If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!  As for AIG – liquidate it.  Sell off its parts. 
Let American General go back to being American General.  Sell off the real estate. 
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.  

 

 

Here’s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn’t.  

Sure it’s a crazy idea that can “never work.” But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!  How do you spell Economic Boom? I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion!  We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC. And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam. 
Ahhh…I feel so much better getting that off my chest.
Kindest personal regards,  
Birk
T. J. Birkenmeier,

A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic                                                                                                                                                                                             

 PS:  Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it’s either good for a laugh 
or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!

 

Please say a prayer

Everything has happened so fast that my head is spinning.  Hungry Hubby is up for a job that would spread happiness throughout our friends, family and of course, us too.   

Please say a prayer, thought, send a positive vibe our way over this next week.   

In thankfulness to all, Debi

Happy Easter!

  

Have a very Happy Easter everyone!

Hit refresh on Windows if the links don’t come up at first.

photo by NAHelpingU

The Teacher still teaches…

Many of you have seen or heard about Randy Pausch (A Teacheris the link on my blogroll) and his profound final lecture.  I like to keep up on his activities as I am lead to pray for he and his family and all those that suffer from “difficult” diagnoses.  His most recent update proves he is still teaching, God bless him. 

If you or someone you know is facing a difficult diagnoses this is something to read and rejoice:

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/medianNotMessage.html

He also has a new lecture about time management that I just discovered.  I think he wrote it for me…I’m in DESPERATE need.  I’ll be watching it soon! 

Photo by krisopherallen

 

The Outcry for CHANGE!

FightingWindmills turned me on to a post at CheeseSlave.

After reading through I just had to ask some questions of us all:

I’ve read something like this on more than a few topics and not just about Monsanto (see the open letter to Hillary at Cheeseslave).

Cheeseslave says “I’ll have to learn more about Obama but I have a sense that he is the latest Prius they are trying to roll out to keep us in the dark.”

Cheese, you are right about this.  It is all a smoke screen.  This open letter is just the TIP of a huge iceberg on so many things it makes my stomach churn.

Deb, you are right about the FDA.  Pressure for drugs to make us live forever, you know.  **wink, wink, nudge, nudge**

And there is NO truth in advertising anymore…okay, there is half truth in advertising, leaving out critical information that could steer you to um, EATING YOUR VEGIES or a VITAMIN deficiency…and away from their product du jour.

I could go on and on about what is wrong because there is so much.  Unfortunately ONE PERSON (a new president) isn’t going to fix it all. 

It has to be a huge change across our nation, it has to be an outcry so long and so loud from millions upon millions before the kind of change needed is going to happen.  A wave of change has started, it needs nurturing and growth.  So that 4 to 8 years (or even 12) from now the people who caught the wave can be in positions (legislative, judicial) to support and uphold the changes that NEED to be made in the STATES and in FEDERAL governments. 

That is a lot of people needed to ride the wave much less keep the energy of the wave high…is it YOU?  Are you willing to commit to politics, start in your community, local, state levels?  Holding offices of change in your area?  Are you willing to get into politics at the state or national level to support a person in a presidency that will need the support to really change things? 

A president can’t do it alone.  Are you willing?

I’m asking these questions thoughtfully…not antagonistically. 

I’m a PUPIL of LIFE!

P erception

U nderstanding

P ersistance

I nsurance

LOVE      I nclusion    F ellowship   E quality

I’m a pupil of life.

Pupil as in learner AND pupil as in the center transparent, black part of an eye (I).

The cornerstone of my learning life is LOVE, for without it I am nothing.  I exist, I am seen, I am because I love others and I am loved by others. 

This is the perception of understanding that I insure through my persistance to love others through my inclusion and fellowship with all because they are equal to me through love.

Do you hear what I hear?  Do you see what I see?  Do you know what I know?

LOVE is the cornerstone.

I’m done now.  😉

2008 is going to be so GREAT!

Life is God’s gift to you. What you do with your life is your gift to God.

The end of something marks the start of something new!

Don’t worry BE HAPPY!
 

Power of Prayer

Anyone who has read my blog knows I believe in the power of prayer no matter your faith or belief.  A friend sent me this email and I think it transends any belief, faith, politics, issues, geography or perspective.   

ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT 

In WW II, there was an advisor to Prime Minister Churchill who organized a   group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed   hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its   people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.    There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America.

If you would like to participate: Each evening at 9:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 8:00   P.M. Central Time, 7:00 P.M. Mountain, 6:00 P.M. Pacific, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of  the United States,   our troops, our citizens and for peace in the world. If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along. 

Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.  In God We Trust !! 

ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT IS SO LITTLE IN TIME, BUT MIGHTY POWERFUL IN PRAYER!!!  

LET’S DO IT!!!     

The wise among us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh5Fa6vZuFo

Sweet Mystery of Life

About a month ago I was cleaning out some papers and cards and found a yellow sticky with a doodle (pictured) I’d done right around the time I got married.  I remember coming up with this which reminded me of Hungry Hubby (figure left) and me (figure right).  Did I mention we met through dancing?  I remember thinking at that time it would be a great symbol for letterhead or a company if we ever started one.  You know all those things you dream about when the future is so bright you need shades. 

So for more than 11 years and six moves I’ve hung on to this little yellow sticky with a symbol of me and he.  I find it and pull it out and stick it up on my desktop to look and think about why I still have it and if I want to keep it.   

I’m looking at it and I start seeing things.  I saw a J, which happens to be the first letter of Hungry Hubby’s given name.  I saw a C which happens to be the first letter of Young Son’s given name.  I saw an A which happens to be the first letter of Big Boy’s given name.  Big Boy looks more like Hungry Hubby and the larger portion of the A is on the J side.  Young Son looks like Big Boy with some of my looks and the C hangs off the A with a small curve at the top (which is my side of the symbol).  I also see the first letter of our last name. 

HUH?  I know, I know, I can still hardly believe it myself.  I’m a bit dumbfounded by this.   

Will someone PLEASE tell me what happened here?  Is it precognition?  Pattern recognition?  Spiritual discernment?  Reaffirmation?  A sign?  Coincidence?  What? How could this have happened?  How could I have held on to something like this for so long?  What made me pull it out to look at NOW?

Anyone?  Anyone?

Autism…think about it.

           

If autism is a subject that interests you; if you follow the autism news; if you know someone or love someone on the autism spectrum; you may want to read this. 

The link:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/the-autismvaccine-debate_b_74853.html

Let’s come together to accept, treat and solve the autism puzzle!

This segment from Larry King Live about autism is a SHINING example of how we can come together to help each other and those we love.  What echos in my mind over and over again is that autism can be as unique as the individual. 

Even in our case Big Boy has some classic autism such as flapping and fixating but exhibits concern for others, looks at you and initiates conversation (albeit limited). 

I feel extremely blessed because I didn’t stop at the first pediatrition that said, “Let’s wait, we don’t want to give him a label.” Labels, smables we all have our life battles to fight. 

I believe with all my being that early intervention is truly the key to opening the door of communication for a child who is autistic.  The door may be talking; but if not then sign language, keyboarding, music, singing, blinking, tapping, humming, drawing, rocking, flapping…a smile. 

They seek connection just like we all do.  I don’t always have the right words to say or how exactly to say them or even express every emotion I have in a given time.  Possibly that is more common for my son and those like him;  seeking the way, trying to find a way to communcate from a different place in the world than the rest of us.  He/they have my heart!

CNN link: 

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2007/10/30/lkl.autism.report.long.cnn?iref=videosearch

When you suspect autism…

BE INFORMED!

BE SKEPTICAL!

FIND HELP!  – I suggest finding a certified neurodevelopmental pediatrician.

LOOK FOR INSPIRATION!

PUSH FOR ANSWERS AND ADVOCATE!

MOST OF ALL….ACCEPT AND LOVE FREELY!

Do you ever wonder…

Autism – Repetitive Behaviors Like Rocking and Flapping

 

My 9-year-old son flaps when he is happy or excited. Maybe he will invent WARP DRIVE and take us to other galaxies!  YES, I’m serious, he is that smart!  His thing…SPACE!  😉

I’m a Bill Gates fan, have been since I got my first PC.  I used to sit at my PC  for hours playing a game that let me determine if I could make Microsoft profitable (sound OCD to you?). 

Whether my son does something great for humanity, makes a gazillion dollars or neither makes no difference to me as long as he is healthy and happy.  I have a feeling that whatever he decides to do it will be done with intensity and capability.  Labels, smables…LIVE LIFE!!!!!

I can think of all types of socially acceptable forms of flapping and rocking:

Coin jiggling, hair twisting, nail biting, bouncing legs, humming, gum chewing/smacking; lip licking, lip smacking…

What can you think of?