Thin Ice

Ok, so we can't walk on water but perhaps we can do the closest thing to that and walk on thin ice! 

That about sums up how many Christians live their faith in Christ, by walking on thin ice.  There are only two individuals that have been observed and recorded for walking on water: Christ Jesus, and for a step or two, the Apostle Peter.  Here is the context of that event:

Mat 14:24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
Mat 14:25 About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water.
Mat 14:26 When the disciples saw him, they screamed in terror, thinking he was a ghost.
Mat 14:27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. "It's all right," he said. "I am here! Don't be afraid."
Mat 14:28 Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water."
Mat 14:29 "All right, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
Mat 14:30 But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted.
Mat 14:31 Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. "You don't have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?"
Mat 14:32 And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
Mat 14:33 Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.

Peter's short lived trust in Christ truly represents, in my opinion, how we also respond to Jesus' outstretched arms asking us to fear not and trust in Him to save us.  Our faith is strong as long as we are focused on Jesus but we are so very easily distraced by strong winds and heavy waves.

Much too often we rationalize that because we are not Jesus we cannot live a life emulating Him, but perhaps we can still approach His salvation by our works.  That is, although we can't walk on water we can do the closest thing to that and walk on thin ice!  Our rationalization is that ice is water and thin ice, versus solid thick ice, presents risks and options that we, not God, decide to follow to prove how much we are in control.  In other words, we can't walk on water but by walking on thin ice we can prove that we are following Jesus.

Thin ice represents the weaknesses of our faith.  When confronted with having to traverse across a span of thin ice, we judge the elements, the risks, the water's depth, the distance, our weight, a pace that would prevent us from putting too much weight in one place for any amount of time, and most of all we decide if the risks are worth the reward of reaching our destination.  Our destination is eternal salvation; the thin ice represents works (what we wrongly believe we must do to earn God's love); the risk is misjudging our works (sin), falling through the ice, drowning, thereby never reaching our destination.

What we need to do is to listen to what Jesus said to Peter. "It's all right" He said. "I am here! Don't be afraid."

Then, in faith, we should step onto the ice and walk to Jesus.  If we keep our focus on Him as we walk to our destination then the elements will fade away; the risks will not be a factor; the water will never be too deep or too cold; our pace will be in step with His; and He will carry our weight no matter how long it takes for us to realize that we have already reached our destination for our salvation is in Jesus and He is in us! 

Because, as the disciples finally exclaimed, Jesus really is the Son of God - REALLY!


.

Cathy

February 25, 2010, marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of Catherine Ann (Pippig) Mills.  Cathy succumbed to small-cell cancer and left behind her husband Michael of  40 years.  It was Mike that, in my opinion, suffered the most not only during Cathy's struggles with the cancer but certainly also during this first year of her absence.  For those of you not familiar with Cathy and Mike, I encourage you to visit at a website Mike created in rememberance of Cathy. 

Just click on this hot link: http://cathy.mwmills.us/  

There are many memories and stories begging to be told about Cathy & Mike, and I'm sure that in due time they will be uncovered and presented in as many formats and occasions.  But for now, at this special moment, even years later, the story that still impresses me and continues to provide me with both comfort and confidence is about the strength of character and positive attitude that Cathy portrayed to the end of her time on this earth.

Imagine that you receive a phone call one day from a long-time friend that, due to life's circumstances, contact with over the decades was occasional at best.  Especially now since Patty & I moved back to California, and after several frustrating attempts to locate Cathy & Mike, a phone call from Cathy.  Wow, what a great surprise and how excited we were to hear from Cathy and Mike after all the time that had passed since we last spoke or visited with each other. 

Of course after a short opening discourse the usual question is posed by me to Cathy "... and how have you been?"

A strong, straight, unquivering, unemotional response from Cathy was "I have terminal cancer."

Whoa!  Did I hear that right?  My mind was numbed and silence prevailed.  What does one say to that?  "Sorry to hear that" certainly wasn't appropriate nor any other response that I might have considered at that moment.  Silence for sure but clarification and confirmation was certainly necessary so Cathy, again in a strong, straight, unquivering, unemotional manner, retold her life's story over the past few years fighting cancer.

Cathy & Mike called not only to let us know what was happening, but also to arrange for all of us to visit, perhaps for the last time with Cathy in the mix.  Plans were made, they were coming to visit, time would be spent together as friends, and somehow the subject of Cathy's future would be discussed.  That day came; we lunched and laughed; relived the past that we shared; spoke of our children and aging parents; and yes, Mike took us through a journey of medical miracles and mysteries and finally to the current situation where there were no recovery options left.  Time was all that they had left.

Time!  Precious time - a commodity that we all take for granted falsely assuming that there will always be more time to make up for lost or wasted time.  

But time is what Cathy and Mike shared with Patty and I.  Time that they could have spent otherwise but for a few precious hours the four of us shared time together - that is to say time that we "invested" together.  For that expression of love, Patty & I will always cherish this memory.

Throughout these few hours together, Cathy remained the pillar of positive attitude.  It is said that it's easier for the patient than it is for the onlookers, but I'm not sure if I would be able to pull that off as well as Cathy did.  Finally the time came for Cathy & Mike to leave, but there was this one question that I had to ask Cathy that was burning inside me and my opportunity to ask that question was diminishing fast.  You see, I could not let Cathy go without my knowing, and so, after a few lengthy and emotionally charged hugs and kisses; there standing by the car I finally asked her..."where do you find the strength that keeps you strong?"

Cathy's two word response was "My Faith". 

That is what I longed to hear, to know that she knew that death was not final and that she, as with the rest of us belivers in Christ Jesus, have faith in the forgiveness of our sins and can anticipate an eternity with our Creator.  With Christ, we all can approach our eventual end-times in a strong, straight, and unquivering manner with Cathy as one example for all of us to emulate. 

So now, as I reflect upon all of the above and consider how life continues to present itself moment by moment, I smile with a reflective heart and thank God for Him bringing Cathy & Mike into my life, even if for moments at a time.  But most of all, here today and going forward, I find myself stronger, straighter, and more unquivering in my faith - and I have Cathy to thank for showing me how it's done.


.

Never Leave Home Without It

People don't always recognize my face, so whenever I go out, I carry my card....

Contrary to what you are probably thinking, I am not referencing a credit card as the old television commercial associated with the above statement referenced.  Instead I am talking about my Social Security card.  This card is much more important to you, and could do you more good, or harm, than any or all of your personal credit cards.

Credit cards can only serve you in four ways:
1. Let you obtain material stuff;
2. Get you a good, or bad, credit rating;
3. Get you in debt;
4. Allow you to get more credit cards.

However, the Social Security Account Number (SSAN) that is printed on your social security card is involved in almost every aspect of your life, including your financial relationships with your credit cards.  Therefore, you must protect your SSAN better than you protect your credit cards.

(Author's Disclaimer: Contrary to the implication above, it is recommended that one not carry your social security card with you in case of loss, but to secure the card in a safe location to help prevent Identity Theft)

Where this introducion leads is a frank discussion on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966, with a special focus on one of its supplements - The Privacy Act of 1974.  The relevance of theser two Acts upon the day-to-day operations of the business and private sectors is phenominal.  At stake are volumes of data on virtually every person, business, organization, and activity under the governing powers of the United States Government. 

But, of what importance or implication is this collected data to me, your every-day average John or Jane Doe?  Who cares?  Should anyone be concerned?

The answer will be revealed while also stressing concern in the areas of privacy and protection of every citizen's personal interests. 

Did you know that the FOIA requires that the records of U.S. Government agencies be made public upon request?  The underlying premise that drives the availability of data and for the surging public interest is based upon the simple notion is that the general public purchased this data through their taxes THEREFORE any data held by the U.S. Government actually belongs to the public.  These data include all books, papers, computer data, maps, photographs, and all other forms of information media.  The Acts exempt, however, nine classes of information related to national security, trade secrets / proprietary data, iivestigations,and other confidental matters such as military intelligence.

As stated in the introduction to the FOIA website ..."The U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law ensuring public access to U.S. government records. FOIA carries a presumption of disclosure; the burden is on the government - not the public - to substantiate why information may not be released. Upon written request, agencies of the United States government are required to disclose those records, unless they can be lawfully withheld from disclosure under one of nine specific exemptions in the FOIA. This right of access is ultimately enforceable in federal court.

While discussing the Freedom of Information Act of 1966 and the Privacy Act of 1974 it is important to keep their individual objectives in perspective:

1. Information is collected and saved by countless Federal agencies on EVERYONE in the USA;
2. Anyone subject to the above can request and obtain copies of the information collected;
3. One can request corrections made on erroneous information;
4. One should exercise his / her rights to review this information on themselves or on other subjects.

Uncle Sam collects data from a myriad of sources, far too many to realistically list here but below is a sampling of methods / transactions employed by Uncle to:
a. obtain data on an individuals or organizations;
b. provide the impetus to collect data on its citizens.

purchase an airline ticket  travel abroad  register for the draft  file income tax  employment  special backgorund investigation  marriage license  traffic violation  call 911  federal aid for college tuition  passport  military service  birth certificate  finger printed  criminal investigation  register automobile  drivers license  obtain insurance  pilot license  FCC license  purchase or register a fire arm  collect unemployment  file a police report  purchase a house  own a business  file for bankruptcy  register to vote  respond to census  win lottery  apply for a social security card  attend public school  obtain a professional license  green card

One should be in awe as to the tremndous amounts of data existing within the government entities, and even though there are laws and protocols directing the collection, application, and protection of this information, one must still occasionally question ...

"who's minding the store?"

Just how much control do individuals have over the jurisdiction regarding the information kept on them?  Well, a simple test is to ask yourself...

"How often has Uncle Sam requested my permission to acquire or release data pertaining to me?"

Outside of our responding to the Census Bureau every ten years or with the annual ritual of filing 1040 forms, our government is pretty much left to its own accord to obtain and to interpret your personal data.

Please note this emphasis:  Your SSAN is private / confidental information that sould not be freely requested or disclosed without legal justification from the requesting party.

DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR SSAN JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE ASKS FOR IT!

By law, one of the options Uncle Sam has in acquiring or releasing information on you is to ask for your approval - yes, to get your permission!  Again, you may ask the obvious... "How often have you seen this happen?"

Federal agencies are required to provide individuals with any information in files related on them and to provide a means to amend any errors.  Any agency withholding information (with exceptions) may be sued to show cause explaining why requested information is not disclosed.

Now, some may be slightly confused understanding the differences between the Freedom of Information Act of 1966 and the Privacy Act of 1974.  Basically their differences are based upon the specificity of the data itself.  To simplify, the Privacy Act concerns specific, detailed information on individuals whereas the FOIA covers just about everyting else.  Remember three points:

1. The Privacy Act can only be used by the individual  to obtain information colected on that individual;

2. Under the Privacy Act one must be explicit in defining the the data requested;

3. All else, reference the Freedom of Information Act.

To obtain any information, simply(?) ask for it from the appropriate agency!  Under Title 5, United States Code Service, every Federal agency must ... "establish procedures whereby an individual can be notified n response to his request of any system of records named by the individual which contains a record pertaining to him...."  That's clear as mud, right?

If all goes well and you are satisfied with both the contents and with the access to your information from any particular agency, then all is well and done.  However, should a disparity exist with either, you have a right to initiate a "suit for cause"!  Yes, one can sue Uncle Sam!  The Privacy Act states ..."[the agency] ... is subject to civil suit for any damages which occur as a result of willful or intentional action which violates any individual's rights under this Act."

Two of these referenced rights are (1) access to the data, and (2) ability to amend erroneous data.

In closing, and certainly after learning that your government probably knows more about you than your own mother and probably better than you know about yourself in many aspects; and after learning how you can access your information, there remains just one objective - to encourage you to to exercise your rights under these two Acts. For example, regarding your Social Security benefits, are you willing to gamble on your future financial security by waiting until you retire before discovering what benefits Uncle Sam has, or has not, in store for you?  Why not "drop-a-line" to the Internal Revenue Service, say "hello" and introduce yourself, and ask to review the information they have on you ... and then continue on a regular basis to "keep in touch".

It's the next best thing to being there!!

http://www.state.gov/m/a/ips/

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/foia.html

UGLY BUTTS

Everyone has something that gets them mad; something that “tees me off". Do you know what “gets my goat” every time – besides Obama winning the election? What gets me really riled are: Ugly Butts!

That’s right – Ugly Butts!

Now, for all you perverts, for all you deviates, and for you body-beautifuls – RELAX! I am not focusing on the buttocks – I’m talking about cigarette butts! 

OK, and for you smokers reading this, you can relax too! This is not about smoking; I’m not going to bash smokers, per se; nor am I going to preach on the merits of quitting that filthy habit – I am better than that (ha)!

 But, I am going to talk about littering – that is specifically the littering / discarding of smoking paraphernalia.

And as a disclaimer, the smokers that are reading this will also agree with me on this issue because you are responsible and considerate individuals who would not pollute. This I know!

But I am addressing the other 99.99 percent of the smoking population whom exhibit a totally alien notion regarding what constitutes “littering".

Most smokers litter to some extent, as I will present to you. But what is most revealing is that as many, perhaps even more, non-smokers do not consider the smokers’ littering habits as harmful, if not explicitly illegal. Specifically, I’m addressing smokers who discard the remnants of their smoking habit anywhere and everywhere except in a proper designated trash receptacle.

So what is my beef all about?

For illustration purposes, let’s visualize someone opening a brand new pack of cigarettes. Everything appears to be quite innocent and harmless with his process but there are a few steps or obstacles to overcome when opening a pack of cigarettes. For starters, there is the cellophane wrapper that must be removed. No biggie – just pull on the little colored tab and there you have it – instant access!
     
But wait! What is one to do with that piece of cellophane wrapper? There may not be a trash receptacle nearby and one certainly would not consider putting what is now designated as “trash” in ones pocket, so just let it go! It’s almost totally translucent so it will just disappear and besides, no one will notice. What harm will a small piece of cellophane matter do so just drop it to the ground?

Look, did you see it? It just disappeared just like magic! Oh well, what’s one little piece of cellophane to this great, big, wide world?

But wait, another obstacle to surmount while opening this cigarette pack. Why it’s a piece of aluminum-coated paper that also must be removed and discarded immediately. However, this piece of aluminum-coated paper presents more of a disposal problem than the clear cellophane paper because this paper is definitely visible and there is no way one can nonchalantly drop this paper to the ground with out being noticed. Why, others will know that one litters; they can point to and identify the evidence; it’s just not fair; there are laws against littering but one cannot be expected to put what is now designated as “trash” in ones pocket – right?

But wait! Perhaps if one crumbles this piece of aluminum-coated paper into a tiny, tight ball then it would be hard to be detected by those Green Peace police and then it would be OK to litter.

Look, did you see it? It just disappeared just like magic! Oh well, what’s one little piece of aluminum-coated paper to this great, big, wide world?

Finally we get to the main target of my focus – the much maligned cigarette! Great, and at this juncture the cigarette pack is open thus no additional opportunity to litter – right?  Wrong!
 
Let’s not overlook the need to light this thing. What good is a cigarette if one cannot smoke it?

Visualize again, this time lighting the cigarette with a paper match and now facing the decision of what to do with that spent match. Well certainly a match of any construction cannot be considered to be litter – right? Why, one could just let the match burn itself out of existence – OUCH! Hey, where did it go?

Look, did you see it? It disappeared just like magic! Oh well, what’s one little match stick to this great, big, wide world?

As promised earlier, I will not discuss the perils of smoking so I’ll also avoid the issues of second-hand smoke and the resultant air pollution

or the subject of where cigarette ash ends up, especially if one is down-wind from a smoker. I’ll keep my promise because I am better than that (ha)!

So now let’s jump to the main point  – Ugly Butts!

We have all noticed that those ugly butts are everywhere! When outdoors, observe where the cigarette butt goes when the smoke is done. The butt goes almost anywhere but in a proper receptacle. And IF an ashtray is used (perhaps a car ashtray), guess where the ashtray gets dumped when full of butts? You got it, usually on the roadside by a stop sign / traffic signal. You’ve seen those small piles of dead-butts by the curb; you know what I’m talking about!

Even at night-time there is visual evidence of butt-burrowing; when driving down a road you’ve all seen cigarettes flying out from car windows when a lit cigarette gets ejected. I must admit that they do put on an impressive light show with sparks flying in the wind; kind of like a fireworks display!

So now I challenge you. Next time you’re outside and you observe smokers reluctantly complying to State and Federal “No Smoking Indoors” laws, just watch where their cigarette butts are discarded.

Look, did you see it? It disappeared just like magic! Oh well, what’s one little cigarette butt to this great, big, wide world?

Besides, after awhile those cigarettes butts disappear out of sight, don’t they?  Out of sight, no problems!

 But hey, what’s the heck. What’s the beef? All of this is not really littering - right? Why it’s not even comparable to throwing-out soda or beer cans or bags of trash and garbage or things like that. Hey, everyone that smokes does it – don’t they?

Well, if you follow that logic; if you accept the notion that none of the above constitutes littering; if you think that there is no harm with the improper discarding of cellophane and paper wrappers or matches or cigarette butts….

If you really believe that none of the habits described above equate to littering and does no harm to this great, big, wide world – if you really believe that…

Then perhaps you do believe in magic! 

Presented to the Achievers Toastmasters Club circa 1994

What Good Is A Watch If All It Does Is Tell Time?

It's probably a safe bet that you own a watch, and more than likely you have it on your wrist right now! Go ahead, proudly display your watch right now! While you are admiring your watch, compare the time displayed on your watch with other watches around you, or with other time devices. Most likely the times displayed are different from your watch. Do you wonder which one is correct? Do you fret not knowing what the "real time" is? Does it matter? Do you really care?

Recently I experienced a very traumatic event. I discovered that my two watches stopped working. For them time was standing still, yet for me time kept ticking on and I was at a loss because I did not have immediate access to a time piece. For those of you who think that you are not clock watchers, just go for one day without a watch on and note how often that you look at your bare wrist for the time and then look elsewhere for the time. For me, it became a very disturbing experience and quite unaccommodating not to have time on my side - that is, on my wrist.

My quest became to purchase a new watch while autopsies were being performed to determine the demise of my two comatose watches (dead time)! In my quest, the question arose: What do I want a watch to do for me? That is, do I want a watch just to display the time or shall I impose other criteria?

Still at a loss having not yet purchased a new watch, I am reluctantly bound for the "time being" to wear a watch not up to my standards. I need some help so I pose the question to you, my honored and trustworthy reader, what kind of a watch should I be looking for? In other words, what good is a watch if all it does is tell time?

Let's start with the basics: A watch should provide one with the time - period; or perhaps that's a question mark? You see, just displaying the time is not that simple because there are many implications and considerations in that one simple requirement to "tell the time".

For example:
1) Accuracy: Is plus or minus a few seconds adequate or shall it synchronize to the National Atomic Clock with an accuracy of a millionth of one second deviation over two hundred years? Hey, that may be a critical decision when it comes to timing popcorn in a microwave oven!

2) Analog or digital: Do you realize that with the proliferation of digital displays how many of our youth today do not realize that Mickey Mouse has one arm longer that the other? I'll let you ponder that for a moment.
- If opting for an analog display, do I want each minute marked on the watch face? Do I want a second hand? Do I want a separate dial for the second hand so I can become mesmerized by the speed of that tiny hand screaming around that tiny dial, just watching time fly!
- If opting for a digital display, do I want the seconds displayed? Do I want the the twelve-hour or the twenty-four hour display? Fortunately, most digital watches offer both formats thus precluding us from wearing two separate digital watches at once.

3) Calendar: Do I also want to have displayed the date? How about the weekday and the date? How about the month too? And the year too? How about one with a perpetual calendar that automatically compensates for Leap years?

4) Waterproof or water resistant: And how many meters do I need the watch to resist water intrusion? Let's face it, will I be satisfied with a watch that will keep on ticking after a quick dip in a six-foot deep pool or with a watch that is guaranteed for over (or is it under) 300 meters. That reassurance may provide me with many a restful night.

DECISIONS - DECISIONS - DECISIONS

But, our decision menu has just begun! Today, in this time (to be semantically correct), with current technology just knowing the time and date 300 meters underwater in just not sufficient at all; substandard at least! Where would we be in this competitive and demanding world if all our watch did was to tell the time?

Why buy a watch that just tells the time when you can have a watch that:
- Plays Beethoven's Fifth on the hour or fraction thereof;
- Has a stop-watch function which is critical for timing grass growing;
- Multiple alarms that always seem to sound in the middle of a meeting or during church services;
- Doubles as a TV or VCR / DVD remote controller;
- Monitors your pulse or your blood pressure;
- Beeps in sync with your jogging pace;
- Vocalizes the time at the touch of a button;
- Dual time-zone functions so you know what time it is where you are not;
- Timers that count up or down;
- Offers a full-function calculator;
- and some watches even claim to light-up the night sky with its luminance!

All these functions and MORE...But...What more could one expect from a watch? Well, there is the Data-Link watch with which you can down-load from your personal computer such scripted messages and events such as:
- A fully programmable calendar with reminders and alarms to remind you of events such as meetings, birthdays, etc,.
- An address and telephone directory;
- Messages and memos;
- All functions one expects from a "Day-Timer" PLUS most of the features mentioned above.

And guess what else this modern-day Data-Link watch does - you won't believe this - go ahead and guess, I'll wait...

Yes - it tells the time!!!!!!!!

So, really, what good is a watch if all it does is tell time?

(Technical Presentation: Achievers Toastmasters Club circa 1995)

Raising Kids 101

Whenever your kids get out of control, take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to raising His kids. After creating the heavens, the earth, the oceans, and the entire animal kingdom, God created Adam and Eve; and the first thing He said to them was "DON'T"!

To the animals He never said "Don't". He hurled no negatives at the elephants, but to the brightest of His creatures, to the one's created in His image, to the one's that get into Yale He said "Don't"!

"Don't what?" Adam replied.

"Don't eat the Forbidden Fruit" God spate.

Well that got Adam's curiosity up: "Forbidden Fruit - really - where is it!"

(Is this beginning to sound familiar? You may have never realized, until now, that the pattern of child bearing had been laid down in the Garden of Eden!)

"It's over there" God pointed, wondering why He hadn't stopped with Creation after making the elephants.

A few minutes later God returned to find His kids having an apple-break and man was He angry!

"Didn't I tell you not to eat that fruit?" the First Parent bellowed.

"Uh-Huh" Adam replied.

"Then why did you?" retorted God.

"I don't know" Adam shrugged (at least he didn't say "No problem").

"All right then, get out of here, go forth, become fruitful, and multiply" God commanded.

As we parents have come to learn, God's command to Adam was not a blessing...but a curse! God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own (AHA!).

And so, Adam and Eve moved to the East-side of Eden, which was still the good part of town, and they had your typical suburban family, a couple of dim-witted boys. As typical with boys, one couldn't stand the other, and instead of leaving Eden and moving to Chicago, Cain had to slay Abel!

Thus the pattern of child-rearing was set for centuries to follow and the drama has never changed. But, there is redemption in this story for those of you whose offspring are not responding well to your wishes. If you have lovingly and persistently tried to give your children wisdom, and if they haven't absorbed your leadership, please do not be hard on yourself.

Find rest and comfort in knowing that if God had trouble rearing His children, what makes you think that it should be a piece of cake for you!

(Entertaining Speech: Achievers Toastmasters Club: 08/25/1993)

Blessings from Barbara:

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, I truly understand the motivation behind them all, however, I am already truly blessed (as you are) because our sins have been forgiven from the Cross and God has promised us eternal salvation if we believe in Jesus' Death, Burial and Resurrection. Through God's Grace this truth is promised to everyone that believes and proclaims, and henceforth, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us and guide us. The beauty of it all is that one can enjoy the peace of salvation while we still live in this fallen world; we do not have to wait until death to enjoy Christ being with us. There is nothing that we do to earn salvation except to believe and say "Thank You" to God for loving us first.

If you agree to the above, then also do not worry about the Mayan year 2012 predictions or any other armageddon theories. Heck, you may die tomorrow so your immediate disposition must be firmly based upon God's Love and Grace so that at the moment you are dead you will be with Jesus for eternity.


.

In the World

Do you notice how the World tries to subtly make sins against God to be normal and acceptable to society? Take for example issues such as premaritial sex, gay rights, and abortion just for starters. We should not be condoning temporary earthly pleasures but rather we should pursue that which pleases God! Our time here on Earth is so short compared to eternity and what we do in this short time will determine our eternal destiny. The question that we should ask is whether our wants and desires pleases us or pleases God.

DEAR FRIEND

 

Dear Friend,

Congratulations on your professional achievements and advancements within our company.  For those of us that have been here for awhile, we have watched you move through the rank and file on your journey to the upper echelon.  We were proud to have known you when you were simply “one of us”  versus your now being “one of them”.

Your exodus from the ranks of the worker bees to your current position as Queen Bee has left many of us wondering “at what price glory?”  Gone are the days when we felt comfortable sharing intellectual differences with you.  Now, our opinions are not even sought and when expressed we are considered to be argumentative and are categorized as non-team players. 

From the podium your words speak of The Team and how we are all valuable team members.  However, your actions away from the podium clearly demonstrate that we must have different team rosters.  Most of us are left sitting on the bench, on the sidelines, as the game progresses without our individual talents exploited.  It is apparent that your team roster consists of a circle of individuals from whence you came and from where you are at now.  You are quick to recognize them but fail to look beyond your office for those others deserving your nod of recognition and approval...and you used to be so good at sharing the wealth and kudos.

Do not mistake this letter to be anything but a heartfelt concern from the little people of this great company.  Each one of us is proud to be a part of this company’s success and we all anticipate a prosperous future.  We know this company will prevail because we have faith in our leadership and in our own abilities and commitments.  As individuals and as a company, we will succeed as we have in the past.  We truly believe this because we trust ourselves and entrust our colleagues, even if you do not.

Signed,

 

A friend