1985 -- 2007 Not Much Has Changed

"Address to the General Assembly of the United Nations Delivered October 25, 1985 by Leon Shenandoah, former Chief and Tadodaho ("Firekeeper") of the Iroquois Six Nation Confederacy, Haudenosaunee Brothers, listen to the words of the Creator given to the first United Nations -- the Haudenosaunee -- over 1000 years ago.
"The Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee shall be mentors of the people for all time. The thickness of their skins shall be seven spans; which is to say that they shall be proof against anger, offensive action and, criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good will, and their minds full of a yearning for the welfare of the people. With endless patience, they shall carry out their duty. Their firmness shall be tempered with a tenderness for their people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodging in their minds, and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation."
In every nation there are wise and good men. These should be appointed Chiefs. They should be the advisors of their people and work for the good of all the people., and their power comes from the "Great Peace." A chief must never forget the Creator of mankind, never forget to ask him for help. The Creator will guide our thoughts and strengthen us as we work to be faithful to our sacred trust and restore harmony among all peoples, all living creatures, and Mother Earth...
We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show a great respect for all the beings of this earth...
In our ways spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics...
When people cease to respect and express gratitude for these many things, then all life will be destroyed, and human life on this planet will come to an end.
These are our times and responsibilities. Every human being has a sacred duty to protect the welfare of our Mother Earth, from whom all life comes. In order to do this we must recognize the enemy -- the one within us. we must begin with ourselves.
We must live in harmony with the Natural World and recognize that excessive exploitation can only lead to our own destruction. We cannot trade the welfare of our future generations for profit now. We must abide by the Natural Law or be victim of its ultimate reality.
We must stand together, the four sacred colors of man, as the one family we are in the interest of peace.
We must abolish nuclear and conventional weapons of war.
When warriors are leaders, then you will have war. We must raise leaders of peace.
We must unite the religions of the world as the spiritual force strong enough to prevail in peace.
It is no longer good enough to cry, "Peace." We must act peace, live peace, and march in peace in alliance with the people of the world.
We are the spiritual energy that is thousands time stronger than nuclear energy. Our energy in the combined will of all people with the spirit of the Natural World, to be of one body, one heart and one mind for peace.
We propose, as a resolution for peace, that October 24th be designated as a Day of Peace, and a world cease-fire take place in honor of our children and the Seventh Generation to come.
Day nay toh."

Not much has changed in over 20 years. We still have the same violence, war, environmental pollution, religious fanatics killing each other, and leaders who cannot lead. Let us pray that we can change some of these before our children have to take the responsibility for leadership of our world.

Love and blessings to all.

PLAIN TALK ABOUT JESUS

I. Who Am I?
A. Who I am can best be described by telling you who I am not.
B. I am not a pastor, a professor, divinity school graduate, nor a famous religious speaker.

C. I am a Christian, a wife, a mother, a friend and a fellow traveler trying to stay on the

"straight and narrow road."

II. Who Are You?

A. You are a truck driver, a stay-at-home parent, a teenager, a lawyer, a mechanic,

a secretary, a doctor, a computer technician, teacher or retiree.

B. You are a parent, a child, a brother, a sister, a spouse, a friend or an enemy.

C. You know what Church is; it's that big building around the corner from the market.

D. You know that family, work, money, possessions, sex, drugs, alcohol and all the world

has to offer has not quieted that little voice inside of you that asks, "Is this all there is?"

III. Who Is God?

A. God is the Creator of all, seen and unseen.

B. God is Love.

C. God Is.

IV. Who Is Jesus?

A. Jesus is God's solution to the problem of sin and death.

B. Jesus is your personal savior after you believe and confess His name.

C. Jesus is your personal advocate in Heaven, reminding the Father daily that you are His.

V. Who Is the Holy Spirit?

A. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God who comes to live inside each believer.

B. The Holy Spirit guides, comforts and changes believers from within.

C. The Holy Spirit is much more than a conscience.

VI. What Is the Bible?

A. The Bible is your Owner's Manual.

B. The Bible is your opportunity to learn about God and yourself.

C. The Bible is the inspired, living Word of God.

VII. What Is Salvation?

A. Salvation is God's offer to keep you safe with Him in Heaven forever.

B. Salvation is trading death for eternal life.

C. Salvation is through God's grace through Jesus not laws, rules, or the works of man.

D. Salvation is a gift from Jesus as He bled and died on the cross for all of us.

VIII. What Are the Ten Commandments?

A. The Ten Commandments are a way of life, abundant life.

B. The Ten Commandments are a Father's teachings to His children.

C. The Ten Commandments were personified in Jesus.

IX. What Does God Want From Us?

A. God wants our unconditional love.

B. God wants us to love each other as He loves us.

C. God wants to show His love to the world through Us.

CONCLUSION: WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM GOD?

WRITE OR WRONG, BUSH AND IRAQ

OK folks, "The War!" Do I believe George got us into the war for the reasons originally expressed? No. I do have a couple of active brain cells left. Do I think we should drop everything, just leave their country and come on home now? Not! Now we have a moral responsibility to the people of Iraq, those everyday folks just like us, to try and get things to some kind of normal for them to resume their lives in safety.

Is George's present course of action going to accomplish this? No. Apparently not, as it has not helped up to this point. What to do? Do we call on the UN to help? Well, they did such a good job in Bosnia, Ruwanda, and now in the Sudan.....maybe not. Maybe George could get a coalition of countries in the actual region of Iraq, including those difficult to deal with (darn those pesky folks) and work together with them using some of Condi's famous political savvy. George could pull out all the stops (shocking the world no doubt) and base the negotiations on his self-professed Christian beliefs of love, forgiveness and grace.

Or at least the negotiations could be focused on real internal issues important to the residents of the region and country. Folks in Iraq just want to go the grocery store more than one person once a week for an entire block without fear of getting killed. They would like their lights to work and their kids to be able to go out into the yards and play. They want the same things we do. They want not to be afraid. They want to see their children grow up laughing and free just like we do. This is more basic than politics folks, cut to the chase! Am I saying this is easy? No, nothing important ever is. (Matthew 19:26)

WATCHING GOD AT WORK

Established religion has made the concept of seeing God's handiwork in our lives and in the lives of those around us harder than it was ever meant to be. After raising three daughters up to various stages, our son was born. He was always a joy and I considered him to be an answer to my prayers. I had named both him and his oldest sister when I was still in high school, long before they were "a twinkle in my eye" as my daddy used to say. When he was a little slower walking than his sisters had been, we chalked it up to the fact that with so many spoiling arms to hold him it was no wonder. He was slower beginning to talk clearly, but he was always so expressive and loving we stayed enchanted with his childish speech. At age four we had an official evaluation done to determine if our son might need special therapies before he began school. We were given a diagnosis of dyspraxia, which we had certainly never heard of. We were told it adversely affected gross and fine motor skills, and that he seemed about 24-28 months delayed or more. Also he would be learning disabled because his ability to process information would be different than others. He would be able to learn, but it would be in his own way and his own time. The list went on and on, odd things, like he would probably not do well in team sports but would love swimming (which he does); he might get lost easily as his internal map would not be well developed. And that we were lucky because many children with the syndrome did not like to be held or hugged and some even kicked or bit, and our son has always been a "snuggle bunny." But even at just four, the testing staff were impressed with the fact that our son had already implemented innovative coping skills to do things differently. For the next several years he underwent many different levels of speech, physical, occupational and educational therapies. Some through the public school system, more we hired privately, and additional we had done through Duke Hospital.

Fast forward ten years, we have been watching God working in our son's life all this time. One of his favorite early pastimes was making creations out of paper, tape and crayons. So, later we started him in art lessons with a wonderful lady, thinking it would be fun for him. It was more than fun. He amazed us all with his talent and has continued to do so for the past five years. And this same boy who took so many hours of speech lessons, now loves to get up on stage with the local theater group and speak out lines loud and clear for all to hear in his big deep voice. All the former problems with motor skills don't prevent him from singing and dancing his way across the stage either. He is still awkward around the edges, what fourteen year old isn't? But he is a joy in our lives every day, a true blessing from God. I don't have to look any further than that to see God working or feel surrounded by His faithful love and grace.

Blessings to all.

ACCIDENTAL PAIN

Have you ever been with a group of friends, parents and kids all together? A cook-out, a party, maybe a lunch? Have you watched the interactions between the individuals there as the conversations change and merge? The laughter, the energy, and the interest as it spreads out among the group. When the seating is relaxed, the conversation is much easier and more varied. Sometimes when the group is broken up by awkward seating, you also observe awkward breaks in conversation. And there's always that moment when you hear that whisper meant for someone else, then there is accidental pain. Bad if about self, worse if about spouse, worst if about child. We are all struck by accidental pains in our lives and must determine how to deal with them. The ones meant for me, I let burn up in the atmosphere like falling stars. If meant for my husband, pretty much the same. But moms have this thing about their kids, and they think differently about the situation when their kids are concerned. I guess it is that Mother Bear syndrome.

STRAY THOUGHTS

Even a card-carrying Christian can have stray thoughts not covered by Bible verses or Sunday sermons. Sometimes my small knowledge of physics and science combine with my sense of curiosity to come up with some good ones. For instance: Scientists cannot find a majority of the mass in the universe; they call it dark matter. What if God is the dark matter? Holding the universe together.
God created us in His image: OK, do I think it means arms and legs, etc? Maybe. But more so, I feel it means how we are on the inside, mind, soul and body. The holy trinity. In the Garden of Eden there were limits on human perceptions until the apple incident. The apple changed how Adam and Eve viewed themselves and the world. Like God, humanity has the capability of doing infinite good and unlike Him, we can do infinite evil.
You'd think I have too much time on my hands. My friends can vouch for me that is not the case. :) Stay strong, be blessed.

DREAMS

Dreams are the stuff magic is made of, or so they say. They can be good for the soul. Daydreams can let the imagination soar to the ends of the universe and beyond. Dreams can be imagined "what if's," choices not made, roads not taken. Dreams can be of things yet to come or still hoped for in days ahead. Some would have us to believe that it is the belief only that brings the dream to fruition. I am a little more practical. I think it takes more than just the working of the mind. At least for us humans. As I told my children often as they were growing up and expected miracles from their mother, "I gave up my psychic powers when I took my human form. " :) And there is the dark side to dreams as well. Some dreams are not meant to come true. Dreams that would cause more damage than good, though we can't see it in our limited perspective. Selfish dreams, dark dreams. Everyone does not have dreams that are bright and full of light. Yet in their own way dreams are real. They are a part of each of us in a way I doubt any of us fully understand. Part of the shadow-land, the in-between. Maybe they are a treasure or a puzzle still to be solved?

Fruit of the Spirit

I was reading a scripture verse the other day and was again reminded what some of the traits are that show fruit of the Spirit. I am not a gentle person. I have known this my entire life. I speak up, sometimes even before I should. I am not unkind, although I had to work on curbing my sarcasm as the years went on. I have known a few gentle people. There are some in my life currently. Like Rebecca and Don, they are gentle and kind and loving people who are wonderful to know. They are also intelligent and gracious and generous and creative as well. Mrs. Day who used to work where I went to work was a wonderfully gentle soul. There was always a smile upon her lips no matter the challenge of the day. And Judy, she worked with me also at another job. For several years I watched her grow and change to an ever more gracious and beautiful person. Although she and I have not worked together in many years, we still bump into each other from time to time, and she is still as gentle and sweet as ever. These people are my heroes, the folks I look up to and admire. I pray for God's blessings on them each day.

PRAISE THE LORD!!

Just on a whim, we turned into Charles Boyd Chevrolet in Henderson, NC to look at their used cars the other day. This wonderful saleslady, Mrs. Cynthia Johnson, walked over to help us before we ever got out of our van. After talking to us for a few minutes she assured us she either had something on the lot to meet our needs or could acquire it for us soon. She seemed sincere. She went to look around as we parked. We had finally decided on a Chevy Trailblazer, despite the rising gas prices, because it would be good for camping. She showed us a couple which were over our set price range then went in to see if others were available on their second lot. Not long after she came out and said they had just gotten in a trade in, local one owner, low mileage, year and price in our range. She went to the back and drove it up. My husband test drove the vehicle. He said it drove like a dream and had all the bells and whistles we wanted, including the tow package for camping. We, along with Mrs. Johnson, agreed that it seemed that the Lord's hand was in the deal when we were able to compromise on the price and get the vehicle we needed and wanted. It was the most wonderful experience we had ever had at any car dealership. Our thanks go to Brian Boyd and Mrs. Johnson both, and of course to the Lord!

USED CAR SHOPPING

Did you think computers and all that information made car shopping easier? Not! There is too much information, much of it conflicting. Finally when I completed my research and decided on a couple of models, I found everyone else wanted them too. So they are scare. Perseverance! At least with my family the actual visits to the car lots are not boring. On one drive through in our local town, my husband had thought of a way to keep from hopping out of our car to read the stickers on the car windows. He brought a pair of opera glasses, of course these were really small camouflage binoculars from I am not asking where or when. As we stopped near an interesting vehicle, I saw him pick up these and I asked him to please not look like a total redneck as there were other people walking around in the lot. He just laughed and put them down till they walked by then continued to try and focus them. My son in the back seat piped up with, "No Mom, real redneck binoculars are made out of two empty toilet paper rolls tied with string and plastic wrap taped to the front and back ends!" So at least we had a chuckle at the end of our tiring day. :)

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Last year New Year's Eve was a quiet family affair. We were home with our son, and one of our married daughters and her husband. We had enjoyed playing cards and games at the kitchen table while waiting for midnight. At around 11:30 pm we went into the living room to watch TV and see Dick Clark celebrate being alive another year. We had our sparkling grape juice to toast with, as our son is only 14, and we waited as the clock counted down to end 2006. After the quick toast, the two couples gave each other a kiss. While kissing, we all heard our son's deep voice in the background in a tone reminiscent of Eeyore slowly saying, "I need a girlfriend!" We all cracked up! Since then whenever times get too quiet or dull, we repeat the phrase and enjoy a new chuckle. I hope 2007 is a blessed year for you and yours. May God's love be with you.

THE MISADVENTURES OF PAPA IN THE BATHROOM

How this blog came about. My husband is a very private person. (Those who know him will realize what an understatement this is. :) I tease him all the time. Anything he does out of the ordinary, he always threatens me with "You better not tell anybody about this!" I am not a very private person, or we would not be here right? So, once in a while I tell our kids one of the funny things their Dad had done or messed up, etc. much to his chagrin. He along with millions of American men think of the bathroom as "the reading room." Well, in our little bathroom next to our bedroom, the vanity is evidently comfortably close to the throne. On some of his middle of the night trips, Papa manages to fall asleep with his head resting on the edge of the vanity. You can imagine what a dent he wakes up with in his forehead! The first time I repeated this to the kids I know he wanted to sink under the table. But the laughter was contagious and he just had to join in. One day we went into Wal-Mart Vision center because his glasses frames had broken. Our budget was rather tight at the time; so, he was afraid of the cost of having to get a complete new set of glasses. The lady assisted us and found a frame that matched his. When she walked away to repair the glasses, I looked over and Papa was almost teary eyed with joy because he could get his glasses that day. I started laughing and he immediately said, "Don't you dare tell anyone!" I looked at him and said, "I am not only going to tell someone, I am going to tell EVERYONE!!!" So, now I have. :)

CELEBRATIONS

Celebrated Valentine's Day with husband, son, daughter and my Mom. Son-in-law had to work. :( Will be celebrating again in a couple of days, daughter is turning the big 30. At least she thinks it is a big milestone. Having long past it, the "big" part is laughable to me. Several things amaze me, two are time and light. Time can linger so that a moment feels like a lifetime. Yet 20 years seem to go by overnight when you look back. I remember the day my daughter was born. I was filled with unspeakable joy. She is still a joy, most days anyway:). I hope she enjoys her birthday, and each and every day.
God bless all our children.

Questions?????

Have you ever been plagued by questions? Questions about life, about death, about God. Questions about religion, the Bible? Most of us have questions every day of our lives. Sometimes we think if we can just come up with the right question everything will be clear to us. Sadly, it won't. When I was younger, I used to love to ask questions of my teachers, "Why?" of my pastor, "Who were those folks living east of Eden?" Of course it lead to lively discussion, but no answers exist. Seems that part of being human is having faith. We have faith that tomorrow the sun will come up, again. We have faith that there will be air to breath. We have faith in everyday things without even thinking about it. But there are no promises. God gave us today, now, right this moment. Each one is to be treasured, enjoyed, and enriched as if our last. Death may be a door to a new beginning as we have all heard, but God did not say we should treasure our life here on earth less because there is more to come. Be kind to each other, say hello, smile. Won't cost you a thing. :)

Just Cool

Hey, this must be contagious!! My best friend decided she had to start a blog also. She is way cooler than me, but I am kinda prejudiced in my opinions about her. :)
Trying to get things together to do taxes, ugh. Daughter is teaching me how to do coupons; so, spent some time cutting them this afternoon. Still have not decided about the public or private issue, will keep it public until I make up my mind. Can write differently if only for certain folks to read obviously.
We homeschool our son; he is the only child of four still living at home. Others, girls, grown and gone (not very far). Because of all the comings and goings due to my step-Dad's passing, our household has not been stable enough for him to get a lot of studying in lately. Back to normal workload today. He gripes in the beginning, but is so proud when he is through. Sweet kid.
Gotta go.

Back again. Listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd, the best of? Takes me back. To a simpler time? No, just to a younger time. Other nights it may be Nora Jones, Elvis, or whatever hits my eclectic fancy. Am trying to decide if this will be a public or private blog. Daughter started having seizures again this week. Had been almost gone for several months. Hopefully just stress related due to move, job start-up here, and DP's death. Trying new meds. Do more tests. Keep going. Pray.

Still Crazy After All These Years!!

Am just beginning this Internet journey, don't yet know where it will lead. The real life road has has many twists and turns; so, I imagine this will as well. Currently dealing with the death of a loved one, my step-Dad. Will be much worse for Mom. We have our times of being close and then not. Our dance will continue as the music changes.

Who am I? I am not "politically correct," stupid phrase if I ever heard one! I am not rich or famous or influential. I am a child of God, believer in Jesus, mother, wife, daughter, and friend. Sometimes I do stupid things, some days I get by pretty well with God's grace. I am willing to wait and see what tomorrow may bring. Until then...