RANDOM THOUGHTS 2

Its been over a month since my last post. I guess the holidays took a strain on me, for I have neglected housekeeping here at the lodge. Well, I am open for business, and a grea tway to re open the old place is to share more random thoughts.

We men should really love these new GPS systems, we now have a 300 dollar reason not to ask for directions!

I would love to be a weatherman on TV or radio. I mean where else can you be so wrong, and then say "well We were not expecting this" and still have a job the next day??"

Speaking of weathermen, and I may sound like a male chauvanist here, but regarding these hot women they have doing the weather on TV?? That may be all well and good in nice weather, but I would have a hard time paying attention when these ladies have to announce that a Tornado is coming.

Heres something I have difficulty swallowing.. If the economy is so bad and people are struggling, then how come I read that the business that is growing the most are these personal storage places. This makes me think.. If people have to pay a company to store their excess goods because they do not have room in their homes, how can things be that bad??? I have a better idea, Just do not buy so much stuff that you cannot fit it all in.

With Valentines Day approaching, I remember something I used to say a while ago, in that "why have one day set aside to show someone you love them. If you really love someone, EVERY DAY should be Valentines Day" well, now that I am grown I know this to be not very realistic. to love someone 24/7 is like continuously exhaling. a nice sentiment, but it cannot be done.

The best definition of love comes from C.S. Lewis when he said "love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady desire for the loved ones ultimate good, as far as it can be obtained"

Continuing with the love topic, would you believe this gristled old man here has watched 4 romantic movies since November?? ahh but not the newer sappy kind of love stories, but stories of old fashioned romance, the way it used to be. One thing I do wish though is that someone would make a real love story where an unattractive man is involved.

Whats with these "reality " shows?? I mean if this is supposed to be real life, do YOU know anyone who lives like that??

Besides, how can anyone be real when a microphone is put up to their mouths. Dont we all become just a LITTLE BIT phony??

How come the alphabet is in that order??? is it because of that song???

Hawaii only has 13 letters or so in their alphabet. I wonder how their song goes?

Well thats it for now. thanks for reading, and helping me put a new coat of paint on this recently unattended Lodge. Its good to be back.

The Twelfth Day of Christmas.. the Ultimate Hope!

Well, we have gone through 11 days of Christmas, and if I was anything like a good blogger, this would have been done by now, but please forgive me for celebrating Christmas a little too much and neglecting my blog. But here's to all those folks who truly inspire us. It was my pleasure researching all of them.

So I leave you now with the ultimate story of Hope, and as usual, it came through tragic circumstances! yes it is the Easter Story. For I believe that as much as we celebrate Christs birth, it was NOT the child who saved us. It was NOT the baby in the manger who went on that cross. and it was NOT the Holy infant so tender and mild who rose again, never to die again, so that we may do the same. It was the grown UP baby who did all of these things.

I love the fact that one church actually takes their old Christmas tree and makes it out into a cross to be used at Easter. Wonderful!

Without further ado, here is the Easter story in two versions. One is the familiar version, and one is a delightful version for kids.

Hope springs eternal.

The Eleventh Day of Christmas.. Just Friends??

I move on here in my personal tales of inspiration by moving from family to friends. And, like my family, I will not mention names here, to honor my friends privacy, but they know who they are.

Branch Rickey once said that "there is quality in quantity" meaning that the more you have of something the better the chance that you will have a quality item among the lot. Well normally I would agree with that but in my case, its more like.."the cream rises to the top", or "you have to dig through a lot of dirt to get to the Diamonds" I do not posses a lot of friends, but the ones I do have stand out like an Everest in Kansas.

If ever people were a source of love and inspiration to me, it is my select circle of friends. Average ordinary people with the usual struggles and frustrations, but who live life with victory and triumph. Still struggling, but always overcoming and winning the little battles,waiting for the day when the ultimate victory will be obtained.

These people love me for who I am, and I do not have to struggle to impress them, or to win their favor. they have the courage and the confidence to look at me, and how I treat people and my character, and are as drawn to that, as I am to them. Nothing to me is more inspiring than to have people who you can be free to be yourself, warts and all, weaknesses and all, and to know that they will still be your friends.

And the most important thing we can take from this post is that while it is great to have people in your lives like this, It is equally important that we strive to BECOME this kind of person to others. to Be a friend like that.

Perhaps the reason I do not have a wide circle of friends is that I take that word seriously. co workers are cool, and may old acquaintances may be forgot and never brought to mind, but it is my friends that I cherish because that's exactly who they are. real friends in every sense of the word. Perfect?? hardly. loved?? Definitely.

I wish I could mention your names, but as Spurgeon said so wisely "carve your name on hearts, not on marble" And you all did. Happy New Year to you all.

The Tenth Day of Christmas.... All in the Family

To kick start the last three days of My Christmas, I will now move into the realm of personal experience. 3 tales of people I know who have personally been an inspiration to me, not necessarily because they are related to me and that I learned from them, but just who they are, their character traits, and belief systems. First I offer you my Parents and Grandparents.

My Grandparents were old country through and through. Coming over from Poland, they were the antithesis of the polish joke., hard working, intelligent, as far as "street knowledge" goes, and hard working. My Grandmother raised 7 kids, without any kind of government aid, and with only her husband, my Grandfather, working. Yes, you say things were cheaper back then, but then wages were not that much either.

They walked everywhere they needed to go to. All the stores they needed were within good walking distance. they needed wood for the stove?? they chopped it. Needed apples?? they grew them. everything was home made. sewing, cooking. They taught me the value of hard work, and perseverance. they laid down the rules and like my parents, were not afraid to whip their children when they misbehaved. Not to be abusive, hardly. they demanded obedience, but they also knew how to create an environment where obedience was fun, and rewarding. woe to us when we did disobey, but under these conditions, we would be nuts to disobey.

I do not think it was a coincidence when both my Grandparents lived well up into their 80's, and my mom is still with me in her mid 80's. I have no doubts that the traditions of the old country, hard work, firm but loving care, mostly natural and home made foods, a good solid religious upbringing, respect for others, perseverance, and Independence, helped fuel their longevity.

To this day I honor my parents and Grandparents with my belief in hard work, optimism, confidence (which all go together. If you are merely optimistic and confident, well and good, but to get anything done, you need to get your hands dirty and get to work). steadfast religious beliefs, and strong family attitude of honor and respect for my elders, and for the opposite sex.

I fail at times, like they did, and like we all do, but to this second, I stand firm in what I believe in, and I owe it to my own everyday heroes, My parents and grandparents.

Here's to our ancestors... and their children.

The Ninth Day of Christmas.. Bethlehems Manger

Excuse the Delay in posting. I had anticipated the 12 days of Christmas to be finished by oh.. say.. CHRISTMAS... but I myself was caught up into the holiday Spirit of being busy and having my usual Christmas fun. I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas, and are anticipating the best year yet coming up!!

but the inspiration never ends here, So here is my Ninth story of inspiration, and it comes right from Bethlehem's Manger.

Now you may be saying, "Yes, I know the story of the manger and how tranquil and serene it was, a setting of perfect peace and harmony... "Silent Night, Holy Night, Oh little town of Bethlehem, how STILL we see thee lie.. right???"

WRONG! yes Bethlehem's Manger IS a symbol of inspiration, but NOT because it was so peaceful and tranquil. Lets look at it.

Bethlehem, at the time of the Census was a city of Chaos! everyone was in town for the Census, so much so that there was, of course no room at the Inn. Try to imagine a peaceful setting when you are trying to get your 14 or 15 year old 9 month Pregnant wife on a mule to a city in chaos because of a Census. Oh, I bet that was a joy..

It was also a scene of Obscurity... a manger?? what a manger was was actually a feed trough. a very obscure place to be born in a very obscure and chaotic city.

And of course there was the rejection. No room at the Inn, because of the chaos of Bethlehem at that time.

OK. Bethlehem's manger.. Chaos.. Obscurity.. rejection.... Why?? and why is this a scene of inspiration.

Well, because, believe it or not, this describes our lives at times, doesn't it?? who amongst us can honestly say that there is not SOME chaos in our lives this time of year?? be honest. whether it be the many Christmas parties we feel obligated to attend, or maybe the unwanted or unexpected visitor, or the chaos of last minute, or first minute shopping?? CHAOS!

then theres the feelings of obscurity. Ever feel like you as a person are lost in the shuffle?? that you will not be remembered, or your gift will find itself on someones shelf, and never be seen or used again?? do you feel the true meaning of Christmas is being overwhelmed by the commercialism?? Hey over here in Detroit (and I am sure many cities, they have people who have lived here many years ago that they named streets after. must be famous people Hmmm?? well today no one remembers them. Obscurity...

and then there is rejection. Why is the Christmas season so depressing for some?? its because of the feelings of rejection some of us feel. yes, we may be invited to lots of parties, but once those parties are over, and the celebrations stop, it is back to the old life, and if we feel rejected before, than the feelings can get worse once the season is over. Heck even when I was a kid I would get some feeling of rejection if my sister got more gifts than I did. I am sure it is not so much different today.

OK, so why is this inspiring?? well I believe that This scenario in Bethlehem, Chaos, obscurity, rejection, happened PURPOSEFULLY, so that We know that our Savior has been there, done that. So we can go to Him when we are feeling these feelings, because we hear Him saying to us from the manger... "Hey, I know your feelings of Chaos in your life. your feelings of obscurity, and rejection. I have been there. I understand!"

I believe there was no Silent Night that night. And when I am feeling feelings of Chaos, obscurity, and rejection, I am glad it wasn't. I am inspired that the Prince of Peace was BORN into those same situations.

He indeed understands.

The Eighth Day of Christmas..Riders and Angels

I will get right to the story here, because this is too powerful, and it makes us think the next time we may complain about long lines at Airports or Shopping malls this time of year.

John Johnson, US Army Spec has survived 5 bombings. this time however he was laid up in a hospital recovering again from massive injuries suffered in still another one. but this time is different. Different because earlier in his recovery, his wife and three children were involved in a car accident that killed all three of the children. they were all driving over to see their Dad in recovery.

To lose one child is bad enough. but to lose all three while you yourself are recovering from massive injuries?? and to lose them just before Thanksgiving?? How can any of us, including parents look at this story and actually feel we have a right to complain about long mall lines??

But here's where the heroes come in! More than 200 Patriot Guard Riders, a band of motorcyclists served as one of the childrens pallbearers. they travelled from many states to attend. Anonymous donors provided funds for funeral expenses.

The Soldiers Angels provided hotel rooms for the Johnson's family, this group also provided funding for food and other needs. the VFW and Operation Comfort also pitched in to cover expenses.

The Fisher House Foundations Hero Miles program provided travel for Johnson to get his injured wife, and American Airlines picked up the tab for the airfare for them to travel to their childrens funerals. The PGA raised almost 100, 000 dollars for a new car and other expenses, and Operation Home front will use any monies left over to provide a memorial fund. heroes all.

Let us not complain about meaningless things this Christmas. Let us count our blessings, and let us remember these organizations who can be blessings to others.

Love to all.

The Seventh Day of Christmas... Hail Ceasar??

Well now you may think I have flipped my lid, or ate too much fruitcake and rum punch. "OK" you say "The first 6 days of Christmas was very inspiring, but .. Ceasar Augustus?? " Now two things are probably happening here. Number one, you may not know who Caesar Augustus was, and those who do wonder what does he have to do with inspiration? Wasn't he the one who decreed that the whole world be taxed, which eventually sent Joseph and Mary into Bethlehem?? Yes, also known as the Christmas Story



Yes he was, so hear me out. Emperor Augustus took over after the assassination of Julius Caesar. Augustus also was a victim of a conspiracy against him but he survived and went on to rule, and eventually United the whole Empire, and eventually had a statue erected to himself which basically read.. Hail Caesar Augustus.. Savior of the world". Now with most rulers, this went to his head, and like a lot of rich folks, he liked to count what he had, so he decreed that everyone go back to his home city to be counted, so he could pursue his tax. Thus led Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem, where Jesus, the REAL savior of the universe was born.



OK, so how is this inspiring?? Well I do believe that God USED this egomaniacal ruler for HIS purpose, basically saying... Hey Caesar.. YOU don't control history.. I DO" I believe that for many of us, we have in our lives a Caesar Augustus waving a census in front of our face, basically telling us.. "hey, I have control over you. YOU don't matter, I do. I have the power over you." be it a spouse, a child, a boss, a co worker, whoever, there is someone in our lives who wants to Lord his power over you, whether emotionally or physically.



Well we can use this story to realize that this person who claims to have this power over you, has nothing. He does not control your history, God does. Its interesting to note that No one would have even KNOWN about Ceasar Augustas if it wasn't for the Christmas story. Think about it. where else would you have known about this man???



God USES this mans power against him, and as a result, all of man will benefit for all time. Is there someone manipulating you in your life today?? remember the lessons echoing through 2000 years of history. THAT person does not control your history.. God does.