How Does God develop thankfulness, a few thoughts

From J Burkey's Vacation

Some of you have been shopping today. If you enjoy shopping, today would be a good day. I am one that hunts when I shop and I am not a good match for one who likes to shop and compare. Get it and get out of there, on to the next mission would be my attitude. Needless to say I am little fun at it. If you enjoy to shop, don't let my attitude stop you, shop and enjoy.
Amy Norton reports for Health Day that being thankful can be good for us. Apparently it lowers blood sugar and deceases inflammation in our bodies. That can be a boost in our immune system and help fight diabetes, cancer, and heart disease just a little. It also can help with our relationship with others and increase the willingness to cooperate together. http://news.health.com/2013/11/28/giving-thanks-could-be-good-for-you/

Wayne Styles blogs, "A heart of thankfulness comes from one simple word—perspective. In particular he implores the idea of loss and how it develops thankfulness. Wayne loss his mother ten years ago on Thanksgiving and that has forced him to  reflect on how God develops a thankful heart. He sights several examples of how trials and loss increase our thankfulness. One we can all relate to. Our car is totaled and our family escape serious injury. We may have had a fight earlier that day, but now we are grateful for each other. He cites Bible commentator Matthew Henry's experience:

"fell prey to robbers one day. That evening he made the following entry in his diary:

Let me be thankful—First, because I was never robbed before. Second, because although they took my wallet they did not take my life. Third, because although they took my all, it was not much. And finally, because it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed." Lose something and later God provided to care for the loss, causes us to be thankful. http://www.waynestiles.com/thankfulness-comes-from-one-simple-word/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+waynestiles+%28Wayne+Stiles+Blog%29

In yesterday's Our Daily Bread explored the opposite type of experience, How to Enjoy things. I am sitting here in my dining room looking at the sun coming through the room, my indoor garden and flowers including my Christmas cactus in bloom. My Red gardenias in bloom. I had just finished my morning workout, showered and continued various projects I am working on. My home is a 130+ years old, but it is remodeled and a few other things planned. All in all a very nice place to live these 24 years. Painfully I am aware of others who are without. None of us knows the future, but today I am thankful for what I have. Reading through my Bible I read Ecclesiastes 5 yesterday, but it came up again in Our Daily Bread I read this morning. Being thankful for things is a good thing. Loving people and using things is a good attitude.     

"18 Here is what I have seen to be good: it is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. 19 God has also given riches and wealth to every man, and He has allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, 20 for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart." Eccles. 5:18-20 HCSB

Paul shared his experience in Phillipians 4: "11 I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me."

I was sleeping on a cement floor on a hike I was on. My equipment was already sent on ahead so I was there with out my usual bedding. I thought on the highlighted verse all night to no avail. I was not content. Sometimes our experience or trial has to be endured. I think of Band of Brothers who had to endure the cold winter at Bastone. To the day they died, they probably get cold thinking about it. Sometimes we go through trauma where we need support just to survive. Pain may actually be used to help us make it. Later upon reflection we may give thanks. I was thankful for the hike, and not that one night. I became a little wiser.
Keep walking through the holidays. Yesterday the meal was great!  

 

Thank you - with love

"Nothing is impossible with You O Lord" Gen.. 18:14a
"All things are possible with You, O Lord" Matt. 26:19
What I know is true is God's will and love and care will be done. We may go through trial, deal with evil and bad things, get sick and in time go to be with The Lord. I also believe God works for our good and gives grace ain't benefits of His care.
Think back this year and count your blessings. Think back this year of trials endured and if you suffered loss, recall how God saw you through it. Maybe for your loss new friends, for your sicknesses balm to ease and heal. Sometimes healing takes a while but it happens.
I give thanks to you my friends, for Barb and her care. For 6 lively grand kids and two kids whom I love and am loved. I give thanks for work that I have been blessed to help many people. I am glad my work is not done yet. Thankful for family feasts and friends. Thanksgiving is my personal favorite holiday in all it's implicitly. Best of tomorrow and take a nice stroll.

November 1963 three great minds passed that day

C. S. Lewis 1898-1963

On November 22, 1963, 50 years ago, three significant men died. John F. Kennedy’s deaths took center stage and in the minds of most still do. Those of us who were old enough to remember can recall on that clear fair fall day what we were doing. I was out on the football field playing a touch football game when the news spread out to where we were playing Kennedy was shot. A little later in the classroom we heard on the radio that he had died. That week end glued to the TV we watched several times the events that unfolded.

I know Billy Crystal remembers with fondness listening to the World Series on radio in a happier memory. I know my friend Ken does. Bless those teachers they knew what they were doing.

At the time I was unaware of the other two men who died that day. Now that awareness would come much later for me.

On October 25, 1960 I was sitting on a front lawn, where the old farm house sat in a hill. There was a large barn and small one in back of the house. To the right was the new ramps and highway of I 55. Across the street was a gas station. The house and station are gone now. Route 30 has been expanded. In 1960 an eight year was sitting on the lawn when a motorcade came by

Joy Davidson Lewis
Romance started through letters
married

with American Flags. I waved as they passed, hoping Kennedy saw me. He was going into to Joliet for a campaign appearance. Dr. Robert Sterling a local historian recorded the event in his book on Joliet. I was not certain what time of the year it was. Kennedy needed Illinois and Mayor Daley counted all the votes, including the ones in the grave yards and they voted early and often. For me I saw somebody who may become president and at eight that is a big deal.

When I became a Christian in the winter of 1972, while doing my laundry in my Grandmother’s kitchen where I pulled out a track a fella gave me three weeks earlier. As I read the track I remembered the conversation I had with the fella and things my friend Judy Cronk had told me over a period of two years. I knew I need Christ as my Savior and trusted Him for my salvation right there. About 10 months later I met Mark Huber who served as a medic in the army. Mark was 6’7” and still growing. He had a great smile and a love of books. He was the one who got me to begin reading Clive Staples Lewis. First book Mere Christianity, Miracles, Screwtape Letters and that was it; I had to get my hands on everything I could. Between 1972 and 1975 I had read in the neighborhood of 3,000 books.  My mind was alive; quite a change from a fellow who read only 5 books in school.

Reading about Lewis, I loved his struggles, his triumphs, his late marriage and loss. He loved to go on walks, challenge his students, engage with his friends and his writings were like conversation. He was brilliant that way. He passed away at the foot of his bed and was found at 5:30 P.M. in his home in England. An hour later, Kennedy would die in Dallas.

Aldous Huxley 1894-1963

Aldous Huxley also died on November 22, 1963. He was agnostic and is most known for the book, The Brave New World. My advice read the book first before you read what others think of it. Also read the book before you watch a movie about it. Mortimer Adler writing on the reading of books, my paraphrase "read the best books, that is all you have time for"

The sun is out much like it was in 1963. Keep Walking

Enjoy the holiday, Be almost healthy

"Experience the Land and the Book" How I got started

Engeti where David found refuge near the Dead Sea
Great place to swim

Back in 1976 Barb and I were in the first year of our marriage. We took a six day honeymoon in February at the Chateau Louis in St. Charles Il. The hotel was much like a cruise boat with a couple pools, six cozy restaurants. A beautiful room with a downs comforter and our maid really was swell and treated us like royalty. There were fountains and best of all there was my bride.
Later that summer was stage two of our honeymoon. We got to go to Israel for a month to study at the American Holy-land Studies in connection with Wheaton College.  For one week we had to stay because we were married at a convent that just started to entertain study groups. We were there first one. The singles in our group stayed at an English hospice in Jerusalem. The nuns gave Barb and I a room off the chapel with a high dome ceiling. I felt like royalty back in the Middle Ages with this huge room and a bed in the middle. Perfect for newly weds. Our meals were great. Breakfast was all middle eastern. The nuns were from Lebanon. In the evening we had 6 or 7 course meals. The menu was made up of new tastes and foods for this very local Joliet boy. The nuns told us they were new at this hospitality and that was great for us. We had a prayer meeting on Friday and the nuns joined us. We made friends.
Two and 1/2 weeks we stayed at the school and Barb and I were given a professor's room on leave that over looked the city of Jerusalem. We took an over night trip to Galilee and was given rustic quarters were we had a sheet to cover our feet or our heads, not both. On the way home we spent three days in London and the Victorian Hotel. Bathrooms were shared with other quests, the bathtubs were clawed feet and it all had the feel of going back into the 1900 century. Traveling by train and finding our way through London, looking every bit the lost American, it was a hoot.
I have mentioned before we did indeed study on our trip. Barb and I were in competition. It would be one of many humble defeats for me, but I became a better student for the effort. About 10 years ago I came into contact with Dr. Terry Hebert's web site, walkingintheirsandals.com. he developed several interactive CD where you could study the land of Israel through on site studies and tours. Type in the name or site and you will get a link where you can purchase these studies. It is great stuff if you want to visit the land of the Bible via your computer.
When I started my walk with Jesus studies some 5 + years ago I discovered Radio Bible Class has huge resources on the land of the Bible, particularly from Their Day of Discovery Series. My interest found there way to Wayne Styles bog and books. Wayne takes study groups to Israel and writes for the Jerusalem Post. Recently he worked with Charles Swindoll on an interactive series Experience the Land and the Book Links to these resources can be found in my Pages

Links for Bible Study, Geography, and Spiritual life

Barb and I plan to view the DVD and study as we both remember and move forward in our understanding of the Bible and it's connection to the land. Swindoll's site 

http://www.insight.org/resources/experience-the-land.html

For a few bucks you could get started with your own trip to Israel. Travel back in time as you put together the greatest story ever told. Check out the inductive Bible study links as well. You can understand the Bible as you take it up a book at a time. All this reminds me to keep walking

Grace Jones finished well

The last person to be alive from the 1800's in Britain died yesterday. Grace Jones born in 1899 died at the age of 113. Physically her strength left her, but mentally she was described as "bright as a button". In my youth there were many alive from WWI and even some from the War of 1898. I remember taking to a soldier who served under General Pershing when he was chasing Poncho Villa. Several people were able to describe their life in the "Gay 90's. They were still alive but I did not talk to them, there were people who went through the Civil War. Touch history and visit the old people in your life, listen to their stories. Grace lived through the transition from fire to electricity, out door plumbing to indoor plumbing, horse and buggy to car, walking to air flight, Morse code to Cable and Internet, wood stove to microwave. What will my grandchildren live through?
Grace Jones living to 113 tells me how hard that is to do. There are people who live to 100 but there are not many of them. Most of us won't make it. If you are 20 you probably think you can. You may think that feeble person has lived to long. Grace has been retired for 50 years. The drums along the Mohawk are probably sounding we can't have that. We need to keep in mind how rare it is to live to 100+. Life at any age is too short, let's take a breathe and enjoy it. The elite will tell us it is OK for the famous to live to 100, but for Grace we can't afford it. Rubbish! Thanks Grace Jones for living a simple life of love and faith, most of us won't live as long but we can keep bugging at it. Keep walking 

Prevent Defense, one that works

If you follow American football, field goals, extra points, punts and kickoffs are the only plays where the foot is used. The guys who do the kicks are often seen as somewhat of a non player in the game. Actually with soccer being the kicking game in football has improved. Back in the day when kickers came from the position players the kicking wasn't as good. Despite all the running, passing and catching many games are decided by the foot. In high school many of us practiced kicking from the side. It was easier, but the coach wanted a straight kicker. If you go back in time when the ball was rounder they use to drop the ball to the ground and kick it for a field goal. That it seems to me would be harder.
Sometime around the time of the AFL-NFL games in the 60's, they came up with the prevent defense. The only time it ever worked was on a hail Mary pass for the last ditch effort. Prevent defenses always seem to fail when trying to protect a lead. There were many comebacks because of a prevent defense. It may be because defenses quit doing what they are good at which is to be reactive and aggressive and they become what they are not good at which is allow plays to happen by being passive and run backwards. Advantage offence
In health if we allow a disease to happen than try to treat it, I is often a downhill battle. If we don't take care of ourselves, do things that give disease an in, and be passive about it we are in big trouble. But if we are willing to make changes in our diet and walk, see our doctor and make changes that may produce a better outcome against heart disease, cancer, diabetes.
In the news today is an article about statins and the desire to expand their use. The idea is to prevent a heart attack before it happens. President Bush had a stint put I to prevent a heart attack. He feels better. Losing weight, eating more fruits and vegetables, more omega-3s, better oils all have a health impact of improving our chances for a longer independent life. 30 minutes of walking has an immediate impact on our blood sugar. Seeing our doctors and getting early treatment when needed is better than waiting and living in fear it is too late. The old prevent defense in football didn't work, but a good prevent defense in health - good diet, exercise and medical support may win the day. Keep walking

California woman, 86, dies after marathon finish: 'What a way to go'

Joy Johnson now with the Lord

You can read the LA Times article about the 86 year old woman who died after finishing the New York Marathon. She refused to go to the hospital after a fall, the next day she had an exiting interview on the Today show, went back to her hotel. She told her friend she felt tired and went to sleep and never woke up.  Should she have gone to the hospital, yes but it was her choice and she went out running and finished the race.
She apparently went to 25 New York Marathons over the years and traveled to many more marathons. She trained and enjoyed the travel. After her husband's death it was run, run, run. Her daughter spoke of her as faith first then family and then run. her daughter said she went out like she wanted too.
Joy Johnson finished well, not just moving but running. Twenty six miles and like the Greek hero who started the Marathon thousands of years ago inspires us even in death To test the boundaries of life and live it. For her it was a life of faith. She encourages us to keep living and moving. Keep walking

Fat man looks at what is in the health news

fit people can form clots know the signs

A perfect day for me, browsing the net and having some interesting reads. Here are some of my finds:

There is nothing wrong with caring about your kids, it may lead to happiness Recently I read an article about those who care for their parents living longer than those who don't or those who don't have someone to look out for. Turns out caring for its own sake is healthy for us.- http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/why-helicopter-moms-might-get-the-last-laugh-204223686.html
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/31/are-caregivers-healthier/?_r=0

This article was all over the news which points out statins help the fight against prostate cancer -

http://news.health.com/2013/11/05/statin-use-linked-to-lower-prostate-cancer-death-risk/

Should I work out with a cold? Above the Neck OK, below the neck rest . I think if your body is talking to you, take it easy

http://www.fitsugar.com/Can-I-Work-Out-Cold-32309172

For those of you who are fitness buffs here is an article to be aware. Blood clots can actually form rather quickly, know the signs

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/outrun-danger-why-fit-women-blood-clots-170300249.html

 

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis aerobics can ease pain and increase function. My arthritis I know is different but both aorobis and strength training work.

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/features/areobic-exercises-for-ra?src=RSS_PUBLIC

If you have a health concern keep in mind the net can be helpful. Keep walking

 

 

 

 

Walk tall, watch all, with thanks

The Spirited Walker, Caroline Scott Kortge wrote a good blog on falls and walking.With my CP I have always battled falls for my one foot which will occasionally drop and catch a side walk crack or root on the trail.This time of the year roots are under a layer of leaves to be discovered by all of us. As we age falling comes to all of us. So her advise touches both our walks.
She titles her blog Walk Tall, Walk All she means,

• Walk Tall - "Walking Tall" emerged as a mindfulness affirmation for me in response to a recent Wall Street Journal article about research on fall prevention."From Athletes to the Elderly: The Science of Trips and Falls,"identified poor posture, not equilibrium, as a primary contributor to many falls. The forward lean we often associate with aging is just as likely to show up  for walkers who let their gaze drop down to their feet, or find shoulders hunching forward on an uphill slog. The lean makes it more difficult to regain balance if one slips or trips, researchers observed. Upright posture aids not only breathing but also stability.
• Watching all - Carol had a fall in June where she broke her arm. She was encouraged to explore the process of being mindful with Ellen Langer, a Harvard University research psychologist who defines mindfulness not as meditation but rather as active involvement with the world. Langer presents mindfulness as a process of constantly looking for what is new, what is changing in the world around us. Langer explains “Paying Attention.”  Paying attention captures a moment, freezes time, she explains. It asks us to stop the action of life. Awareness of change is something different she insists. 

Together Carol shares, "Walking tall" and "watching all" are mental prods--reminders to myself to stay present, aware of surroundings and my body as I walk. Without these reminders, it takes no time at all for my thoughts to travel far and wide, leaving me mindless on the trail." http://thespiritedwalker.blogspot.com/
In walking we are tempted to look down and lean forward. This actually makes us more prone to fall. It is better to look up and be aware of our surroundings and mindfully walk though them. For me to mindful to walk a good walking form and see ahead the problems of roots or what may be hidden. There are walks I can let my mind go and there are walks where I have to be aware. When I sight see it is better for me to stop and take in a view and when I am walking to be more focused on the trail. 

In the Psalms we read, 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path."  Psalm 17:5 "My steps are on Your paths; my feet have not slipped." When I was in Israel many times I was up some hill or mountain and you had to pay attention to the path. I have been on trails in the night with a flashlight and you had to focus on the narrow trail. At such times I have learned to be mindful and alert. At such times I am thankful and aware of God's care. As we get older and walk, let's walk tall, watching all and in everything give thanks. Keep walking

Ready for day two of the stair workout

walking to Retirement with Scott, fascinating picture

My stair workout was good enough to take a day off between workouts. There was some muscles I over worked. Sore I stretched and rode my bike for 20 minutes. Today I feel pretty good so tomorrow I will give it a go. I am not running up the stairs but walking for a minute then I go to the next move for a minute. Tomorrow I will do some moves for 20 reps then move to the next move. I think I will add some band moves and walking and running as well. Breathing will be my pace and I will walk to control that. I should be able to work in 6 flights of stairs in the 30 minutes all n pace with the Clancy Brothers.
In two days I plan to do a boxing aerobic routine with weights and total gym mixed with walking and running. Mixing up the workouts should keep this ole body moving.
The trees were brilliant this week but the rains have brought a lot of leaves down. November is a good month to walk. Cool temperatures can be handled with comfortable layer clothing. After about five minutes the body warms up. Walking in the mid day see best for the wind, but watching the sun start to go down has great sky views.  Keep walking 

Fit and fat? It is possible to out live your skiny friends

Fitness magazine reported that one can be fat and healthy. If you are fit and have good health numbers like blood pressure, good cholesterol, good blood sugar you can actually be OK.
"Recent research suggests that being overweight or even obese may not, in and of itself, be the health threat we think it is. A 2012 study from the National Cancer Institute found that moderately obese people actually lived about 3.1 years longer than normal-weight women and men. Another study, published in the European Heart Journal, showed that when obese people are metabolically healthy -- which means their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other indicators fall within a healthy range -- they are at no greater risk of dying from heart disease or cancer than those who are of normal weight."  

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/fat-fit-185800781.html

The article cites our bias against heavier female Olympian athletes as an example society frowns on heavy people in general. I have read articles that if you are moving and doing aerobic and strength training and stretching you may be better off overweight than those who are skinny and sedimentary.
Now myself I am a work in progress. I have borderline high blood pressure that I have to control with medicine. When I am doing physical things my body has improved. I believe weight becomes more of an issue as we age. But it is also true it is not the only factor to health.
Let's say you like me are over weight. Are you healthy? Great, keep up the good work. Walking, healthy eating, seeing your doctor, and things you are doing are working for you. But if you are like me, lets work at it. Get a pedometer and find ways to walk 7,000 to 10,000 steps. Make time to do a 20-30 minute walk most days. Trade bad fat for good fat and work to be more moderate. Sleep is huge.
If you are sedimentary take heart, you can make changes good for you. Check with your doctor and find out how you can get started. From me you will always be encouraged to keep walking.