Merry Christmas from the Fatman

Here is a brief thought that I gave to my family to keep Christ in the Christmas.

“they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” 

Resin from tree for myrrh

Many of us are familiar with Christmas story found them in the Bible. In Matthew 2 we find part where the Magi gave gifts to Jesus and his family. There are three gifts mentioned so the tradition of the three wise men follow; but the Bible does not tell us how many wisemen there were. I believe that there was a larger group then three. Another interesting tidbit is that this event is probably almost 2 years after the birth of Jesus. I will give you two reasons why think the Bible supports sometime is past from when Jesus born. (1) Joseph and Mary have taken up residence not in a manger but in a house, verse 11. (2) Note that Herod was able to calculate from the information given by the Magi that Jesus must be near the age of two vs. 16) Most scholars think that there were about 20 children killed by Herod.

An angel of the Lord was sent to Joseph via a dream to warn him of Herod's plan and to tell him that they needed to flee to Egypt which the boundary was about 50 miles away from Bethlehem. There they would stay for about two years until after the death of Herod. The money that they would need to

Frankincense Tree

live in Egypt and pay for their journey was given to them by the Magi’s gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Through time we have learn to give gifts at Christmas time. Jesus himself was our gift as he died for our sins that we may be forgiven and given the gift of eternal life. At Christmas we celebrate the baby born to die to be our Savior.

As my family gathered around the tree we shared gifts that would bless us throughout year. Every year I read part of the Christmas story and keep my homily short into the point. I followed the KISS method, Keep It Short Stupid! When you have kids looking at the presents it is no time for long sermon. 

Merry Christmas from the fat man. Keep walking

Can God actually be for us?

When we think about God being for us, a belief can be used can be used to support some pretty silly stuff. There is right and wrong, good and evil; but often in the middle of chaos and hidden selfishness with dark motives, we can be fooled. There is a sense in a personal way we can experience God being for us. I for one think we need some encouragement.

I read an encouraging post from Rick Warren about God being for us. He was very positive as he took up the argument of God being for us. When I looked at the scripture I was reading the context and I saw little bit more about the subject. So I thought I share…

http://danielplan.com/blogs/dp/god-is-on-your-side-2/

"12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. 16 Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing." HSCB

Paul writes here in Philippians 2 some very encouraging words. The true character of Christianity comes out when we are obeying the Lord when nobody's looking. In this case the Philippians mentor is in another location and they are still trying to apply what he thought. Salvation in verse 12 refers to the "active present" where God is delivering us from sin, Satan, the World. 

When we came to Christ, God forgave and saved us from past, present and future sins. When God saves a person and that gives eternal life it is always God who secures salvation. But with the new birth comes a lifelong process in which we continue to grow, and challenged to live like Christ lived. It is in this process that you can see where God is for us. This isn't a bumper sticker that we can put on our car and then go live our life as if God doesn't exist. Nor is it a life of perfection where we never fail and if we do others can throw stones.

If we are living or practicing a life without God, that contradiction, rest assured that if we are a Christian God himself is going to confront us and challenge the lifestyle. The emptiness that would be the reality if we say God is for us and live in a contrary way. 

But isn't it wonderful to see the promise that God is for us. God actually works or enables us to make progress in our spiritual life. HCSB uses the word enabling as does the NRSV. NASB, NKJV uses “works”. The Greek word is “ἐνεργῶν” 1) to be operative, be at work, put forth power 1a) to work for one, aid one 2) to effect 3) to display one's activity, show one's self operative from 1756; to be active, efficient:-do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in). see GREEK for 1756

When God works in a life that life operates as it should. That life is not dysfunctional, Quite the opposite that life becomes more effective. 

We have all seen lives and maybe ourselves be very dysfunctional. But God is in business of making sinners into saints. If you read Romans carefully you will see that that is the theme of the book. We may have been dysfunctional now are more functional may be how we think of it these days. 

Here in Philippians there is a great promise that God is working in us to grow and mature to love like Christ did and walk (act) like Christ. At the heart of it we are living the moral attributes of God in love and righteousness. In this life it remains a goal, but a goal that we get closer to. There will be times when we are spot on, but God knows he has more work to doing in our life. A victory or pattern of victories he will then move on to a new area that we need work. All the time he is with us in our ups and downs. Keep walking

Is it worth the risk? Sharing the "black dog"

I started the blog with my recovery from surgery and my quest to change somethings to have a better shot at health. With walking all of my health numbers improved. The one thing that developed was insomnea that I was not prepared to deal with. In two years the conflicts with sleep put me in a dark hole. 

Getting a grip on a healthy fight against the diseases that kill us is something we all can identify

with. But the black dog sneaks up and bites and holds on.

The cool thing is health can return with a little help. I can share with you how I came to fight back but it is also cool to share with you what it is like to have anxiety and depression in remission. I hope you have read about people who fought cancer and the cancer went into remission. Then there are those who had a heart attack and had there arteries unblocked and got back to their lives. Then there are those who got diabetes and made changes and got their sugar under control.

With these things people have been touched with disease and were shakened. I think there is a sense of what remission means, a second chance, wind, bouncing back. Not cured but able to get back into life, dinged but feeling good. 

What does it feel like to sleep? What does it feel like to not have panic attacks? What does it feel like to understand PTSD and not let irrational feelings to control you? It feels great! 

I opened up about these things in hope it would help me understand myself. I opened up about what happens when the brain has a problem. I knew there was a risk of people withdrawing from me. People have, but not everybody. Some of you may read this post. The marvelous brain, the little gray cells, the place of thought and will, the center that runs our bodies. Everything that I have experienced and learned really fasinates me. I think that fasination has helped me as well. 

Aging can be scary and we only do it once. At my age 25% of us can be battling with depression. Some are already battling dementia. Others are paying the piper with alcohol and drug use that has come to roost. Scary and frustrating, but I know there is hope. With lots of help and support the ole boy recovered. Yep, I feel fine. Keep walking

Enjoy the view

Near Logan Pass

Isaiah 40:31 

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

I have done some walks or hike I will never do again; but I am glad I did them and lived. One such walk was in Glaicer back in 1999. We walked a trail along Logan’s pass which is 9,000 feet+. The trail varies in width but, at times narrows. Many hikers walk this trail; but to walk it with cerebral palsy is hard to explain. If your step is not sure you can instantly lose your sense of balance. We walked for a while then came upon icy conditions. My tennis shoes were not up to the task. "I can’t go further." I was 47 at the time and was more aware of my limitations. Part of me hates turning back but the adventure wasn’t for survival or a trek of importance. I stood took in the view and then thanked God for the experience and carefully went back.

Others in the group continued and they had a good hike. 

Will and Tanya

Another hike, a few years earlier was to Moody falls in the Hava Supai Reservation. It was named for a guy who walked to the falls but fell and died. I believe the story was he was drunk. We made our way down at times aided by a chain. I made it to the last 20 feet where the decent was more or less straight down. My teen age son of a wise 15 years of age ascended back up to inform me I have gone as far as I can. I looked him in eyes and took in his concern. Am I looking at a man?

Inside I wanted to say  balderdash, poppycock, but I didn’t, I didn’t get to swim but, I sat and enjoyed the water falls. Unlike Moody, I lived to tell the tail. I also felt pretty good about my son. 

If you could be drunk and yet be fully aware you get an idea what it is like to have CP. 

If I return to Glacier my views may be looking up more than down. But I am glad I seen from above. The girl here walking where I did some 17 years ago brought back when the trail iced up. I wish every young person could walk there like she is. But if they do, pause and take in the view it isn’t just a hike. Keep walking

A joyful heart is good medicine, Happy thangkiving

He did this stunt himself with a prosthetic
hand.  Check out a video clip and see if
you can figure  out which is his prosthesis.

“A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

I read an article in Wall Street Journal that pointed out as a person declines with Alzheimer's they lose the ability first to laugh at satirical and absurd humor. The article cited Monty Pythons humor as an example. Slapstick it seems is the last humor to be lost. The Three Stooges is a big hit with 10-year-olds and apparently declining mental states in seniors. The research backing the article pointed out there may be cultural differences as to humor appreciation. 

I am always thought Harold Lloyd and Laura & Hardy were a whole lot funnier than Charlie Chaplin. Some of the things Chaplin did were funny, but it seemed to me he was more interested in the other themes then comedy. Artsy people will continue to rave about Chaplin, but the other comedians will make you laugh. 

In Proverbs 14:13 even in laughter start may sorrow… we tend to see humor in some of our darker experiences. Comedians are often lead complicated and sad lives. I read an article recently we're in Norman Rockwell went to therapy with the fame therapist Erickson to deal with the pain in his private life. Maybe it was a pain in his life that helped him to focus on the beautiful in living in his art.

There is another side to humor that I think is good for us. In Proverbs 17:22, New Living Bible paraphrases “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.”

Laughing, reframing life's experience in a positive way has been shown to be good for our immune system and overall health. This is not being a buffoon but it is a mental strength that is more resilient then seeing life of gloom and despair. If we laugh often it may even affect our longevity. One thing that will do is give us a better day. Keep walking. Happy thanksgiving.

Articles on Alzheimer's progression and humor

http://content.iospress.com/download/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad150413?id=journal-of-alzheimers-disease%2Fjad150413

http://www.wsj.com/articles/changes-in-sense-of-humor-may-presage-dementia-1447865310

pain I hate it but we have to go through it anyway

I posted on Facebook and twitter an article that I read on Wayne Stiles blog.

http://www.waynestiles.com/the-question-we-ought-to-ask-when-hurting/

The question we aren't to ask went hurting spark thoughts about pain that I've come to understand over the years. If you like to question where is God in the mist of our pain? Read his blog. I also would encourage you to read Phillip Yancy’s book, Where is God When it Hurts? 

Wayne Styles contrast how the Psalms looks at the question of pain with the book of Job. In the Psalms the writers repeatedly asked where is God in the midst I'll our pain? Job never answers the question of where is God in my pain? Nor Why does God allows such struggle in our lives? Asking these questions you are right with the writers of Scriptures.

We all know when our body tells us we are hurting. That pain is communicating to us a problem. Answering the question why does this hurt? That's a very good question. Finding the answer not only helps the pain but it helps us with the causes of pain. Some pain it is wonderful to just get relief from it. And most of the time our body heals while we get relief. 

Sometimes the pain indicates that we have to get help to fix the problem. Other times pain is a warning and we must do something to put a stop to it. 

Pain becomes a problem when its chronic or overwhelming. The cry of “why” you can feel the pain. Pain often can be helpful but at the same time it can be unuseful if the “state” is prolong or terminal.

Along the way in life teaches us there is no escaping problems and pain. One way or another we have to go through it. We live in a fallen world and God has his purposes with the things that are and that isn't going to change anytime soon. Bad people in Paris are going to kill innocent people, crazy broken evil people are going to kill children in school. Demented agendas become more important then people.

In the context of difficult and painful experiences caused by evil or even things going drastically wrong with our bodies, why doesn't always cut it. Job shares with us that we need to discover the who that can go with us through the pain is what we need. The truth is we are all going to experience the ultimate loss of life and the most important thing that we need is to trust the one that can take us through that. 

We may find people who can help us through our darkest day. We may need courage courage to stand up to evil. It took our soldiers to go through the darkest days of World War II to end the suffering of Holocaust. The people of London had to suffer much before Hitler was stopped. We may be an accident with broken bone and body and have to go through the pain of care by medical people. We may have to endure a long recovery and possibly some loss and chronic pain. Learning to trust God through these things in seeing how God uses these things to make us more like Jesus is a big part of the purpose of pain that Styles talks about. Nobody wants it, that is the pain. But that doesn't change the reality that we will go through these things one way or another.

That's why I encourage you to read the article or the book in think through these things. Sometimes we have to pray through these things when we don't want to. We can be angry about it, bitter about it, we can do the blame thing; but it will not change the pain that we go through. Trusting God in our darkest time maybe the hardest thing we have to do. Keep walking

My take on being Cooperized - What's that?

In living we face our three enemies of cardiovascular, cancer, and diabetes. These three diseases touch all of us no matter what age we are. Cooper from the Cooper aerobics Center has set up a health program he calls get Cooperized. In this months newsletter there are articles of interest for you.

https://forms.cooperaerobics.com/acton/fs/blocks/showLandingPage/a/2187/p/p-0155/t/page/fm/0

One article can give you the edge against diabetes if you get Cooprize. Seven of the steps everybody agrees with. There are different opinions about supplements but I think you're good to follow your doctors advice for your own personal plan of health. Each one of these steps can be a game changer with diabetes. Here is my take on the steps:

1. Get to a healthy weight. Personally I've been reading less health articles and I allow myself one day a week where I follow my sources to new information. I've been putting more my attention to quit eating insanely. Also I've been looking for opportunities throughout my day to move more an exercise. Mentally I've been focusing on my writing and ministry to Liberia.

2. Make healthy food choices most of the time. This is such a good point that's easy to forget. Life isn't perfect and if you have a weight problem being less-than-perfect can really mess with your head. Lately I have had more success looking at my crazy behavior and eating in being more mindful. I know how to eat right, but I also I'm very capable of doing the craziest things, like binge eating or eating large amounts of food in less than a minute. It's unbelievable.

Adaptive push up

3. Exercise most days of the week. 30 minutes of walking can really help someone with type II diabetes. A couple days a week I do a TRX program and resistance bands. Every day I do 2 or 3 sets of modified push-ups, situps, squats, Heel raises, dips and lunges. I call them my fat man exercises. 

4. Take the right supplements for you. Ask your doctor about supplements and which ones might fit you better. Most of these benefits can be obtained with healthy food. But there maybe things that help you and that's the bottom-line.

5. Do not use tobacco. If you have a death wish there is nothing better that you can do but smoke three packs a day of Lucky Strikes. For most people death comes a little earlier. But you have to be prepared to live a while and you can't breathe. You could be very likely have your mouth or jaw, or tongue, Voice box ripped out of your body. Maybe you'll be lucky to have hardened arteries due to smoking for a instant death of heart attack. But then you could be one of the few who lives into their 80s connected to an oxygen tank this cigarette in the hole of your neck. With tobacco you never know but there is no support whatsoever that it doesn't hurt your health. Do you feel lucky, well do you?

6. Control alcohol. If you drink 2 or less drinks a day alcohol may have some benefits. There are no benefits to your health with three or more drinks a day. Even a little alcohol that could help the heart may be an increasing your chances for certain cancers and diabetes. When you look at the big picture we have every reason to get control of our drinking.

7. Manage your stress. Stress kills and is a factor with the big three things that kill us. Stress can put us into a cycle where we quit doing the things that help us and increase the chances that we may lose in heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Learn about the stress in your life and find ways to deal with it. I am a big fan that everybody should have a mental health professional on their medical team. Much of the way that exercise helps against the pain of arthritis and dependence on painkillers; learning how to deal with stress reduces the need for any kind of medication.

8. Get a regular, comprehensive physical exam. By the time you get to be 40 you need to develop a health team starting with a good GP. Never sit and stew with worry about what is going on your body. Please get over your fear and see your doctor. Being on top of your problems is a life saver. I get it, I have no idea when I will pass away. But getting check ups gives you a better chance to live a little longer and even a little better. Keep walking

Imperfect people, Try not to cut them off...

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb. 10

I was reading an article by Wayne Martindale, C. S. Lewis, Reluctant Churchman in which she showed from Lewis’ writing that church attendance something Lewis hoped he could do without. For Lewis it was people came in all shapes and sizes. Ordinary people, even odd people were the vessels in which God worked to create great changes in him. The church or the body of Christ was the place in which people learned to love.

Any of us can love somebody we look up to or appreciate. It is quite another matter to love people more difficult. Odd people who don't fit into our comfortable equations will stretch love in unexpected places. 

For a long time God has shown me when a church resembles more of the Community of Mayberry on the Andy Griffin show we will be more inclined to be surprised by joy and love. One of the best TV commedies were there was a mix of interesting and off beat characters. 

Floyd the Barber (with glasses) still worked was
suffering w dementia. He was still part of their lives.

Lewis did not like the hymns or the sermons. He liked theology books and reason writings. One thing about a book is you can control it. You can close the book and not return to it. If you don't like it or don't agree with it, it can be sent away and become a distant memory. On the other hand books can become a much needed friend. How many books I have read that challenged my thinking and made me a better person? 

A church opens the doors and invites whoever into it. The gospel at the core of its message reaches out to the down and outer, the poor, the disadvantaged, the common person. Our quest for friendship leads us to the noble, the beautiful, the brilliant,  the most liked and loved. The church is the exact opposite of that. 

One of the constructs of our modern thinking comes with setting up borders in dealing with negative, toxic people. Have you ever noticed there is a lot of these people?

Some of these people are very close to us,  a parent, sibling, lifelong associate, a neighbor. Don’t get me wrong I actually understand borders. But borders and difficult people need to be loved. It is the hard cases that is at the heart of the matter. Certainly we cannot tolerate sins that abuse us, but there are relationships that require us to show God's love. 

If there are relationships that are destroying you, then please consider setting up borders and leaving a toxic relationship. I believe the Lord will show you when is a good time to show love and forgive and yet stop the destructive relationship. 

If we separate ourselves from every toxic person we come into contact there will be very, very few people left. We need to develop a little thicker skin and take the bull's-eye off our back. Not everything is hate, there're a lot of things that are really just a lively debate. 

I wish more young people we're involved in BS (bull shit) sessions where anything could be discussed and debated. Ideas explored and challenged where you hear and see what was being communicated. More importantly today to be able to feel the argument. If you could have such a group that met every week you can worked through all the little hangups you come across. Right now we live through our little machines and if we don't like something we block it out or ignore it. We only read or look at things that reinforce our little worlds. Differences become toxic and are removed.

Which brings us  back to church. There is never a perfect local church, each church has its own flaws, hypocrites, and weirdos. There are some mature and functional people to be sure. When you look at the whole of the group it may be challenging to find those mature and balanced, but they are there. It is here that Jesus told us to love one another. It is here that I think you will discover many surprising things about yourself and how God works. I prefer to look at it like Andy of Mayberry and see the humor of it. In work I it is the one thing I miss in my 30 years of working in special ed. Every day there was something funny as well as profound about the human experience. I miss the quirky and unusual discoveries that came each day. That part of my job I was never bored with.

In my 40 years of going to church how God works with the dysfunctional, the weird, and offbeat is what fascinated me. We need a church that is not an entertainment center. There are people who are harder to love and we need that if were going to understand God's love. A church full of common regular people will teach us a lot more about ourselves.

There is a subject that I wish to explore which is seeing things with God’s humor. Keep walking

Assisted suicide, be careful what you wish for

"Death never seems to come the way we want. It often comes with pain and ugliness. With many who are aged, depression, dementia clouds the judgment. The once adult has become the child. The all-knowing medical staff can be a bit overpowering and strongly influence choices made.

I am all for changing the care from trying to heal to treating death that is inevitable. I am concerned about the state of mind of those dying. and the transfer of power to others. If assisted dying becomes law the land, will it lead to insurance and government aid setting time tables for treatment and termination.  It will be decided based on cost and will be applied to those who can't pay or weak of mind. There comes a time when to allow death to take its course is the most logical one. 

The dying need help and care, but beware that we are far more capable of misusing assisted suicide." 

I wrote this comment in response to an article by Susan Gruber, Living with Cancer: Deciding About Dying. NYT http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/living-with-cancer-deciding-about-dying/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Living%20With%20Cancer&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body

Much of our social law is based on individual choice and I am assuming that assisted suicide will eventually become law the land. 

Many years ago Francis Schaeffer arguing for pro-life saw a society with the values of personal peace and influence wouldn't time embrace euthanasia. Well that time is finally arrived. 

Many of us have seen loved ones reach a time in which they were fighting a terminal illness. All of the efforts to cure or to put in the remission the disease had  come to an end. What was ahead was dying and the best decision was to quit fighting it and make the person more comfortable.

I read in the other day that Maureen Ohare age 95 passed away peacefully in her home while she was asleep. She was surrounded by friends and family so they know her death was coming. The article didn't report any suffering that she may have done prior to her death. 

I think we all envision a death where we just wear out as we age. But unfortunately death comes in all packages and all different ways. In the stories that I've read from the article the deaths wrote about were cancer. 

Terminal illness has to be treated. Probably the number one priority is pain. Helping the dying has its own care. I would argue against assisted suicide for the following reasons:

1. The mental state of the one who is dying,  I have noted before that 25% of us  are clinically depressed at age 63. With dementia and other aging issues  bring about some form of mental decline as we age. For many who are older a childlike state becomes a factor.  Others may maintain a high level of awareness at death.
2. Once assisted death becomes the the law land government and  insurance regulations will impose policies based on cost-effectiveness which will open up the door for euthanasia for those with dementia and terminally ill who are poor and cannot afford personally the cost of care.   Assisted death will be practiced against the will of seniors we can't afford to care for. 
3. Personal choice will be the trump card into putting this into action, But the ramifications will go way beyond the present debate. It will open up the door for us to socially engineer death to be more cost efficient and to terminate the weak and the old, especially those far removed from the power circles that we invent. 
4. Personal affluence and peace have little concern for trials and struggles.  It ts our various difficulties that define us and make a strong. Even death which we run away from or try to cover up needs to be faced.  Death teaches us our days are numbered and the need to prepare for eternity.  We have enabled ourselves to rarely get involved with it. Assisted suicide is just one more way we make ourselves comfortable. We will be enabled to not face our mortality.  no matter what you believe life is short.  We are living longer but with age there is problems.

 Care for the dying and their families I totally embrace. Helping everybody come to terms with our mortality is a critical part of our humanity. As a Christian I believe death opens the door for eternity with or without God. Helping those with terminal illnesses spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically to them through death will maintain the highest dignity we have for life. Keep walking

Do you know how many days you live?

“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” Psalms 92

The Bible teaches us to number our days. When we think about our age we go by years and maybe at death somebody calculates how many days after our birthday did we live. If you're wondering where I'm going with this I have been studying the early life of Christ before he started his ministry to complete my study of the life of Christ. Both Simeon and Anna were of great age in Luke 2. They were both waiting for the Messiah and they got to see him before they died. Because we understand life measured in years translations may use years in vs. 36 when it speaks of Anna as aged. But the Greek literally speaks of days. 

So I got thinking how many days that I lived so far? I don't think like that so I didn't know. And I bet you don't know either. So I added the leap years and multiplied my years times 365 plus the days I have lived since my birthday. 

Note of of October 20th 2015 I have lived 23,205 days. My goal is 30,295 days which falls short of these two people who got to see the baby Jesus. Next wondered how many years would I have to live to reach 30,000 days. If I reach that goal I am very close the goal that I set for myself of 83 years, which is a stated this 30,295 days. I threw out there how many years it would take 40,000 days. To do that you would have to live a little over 109 years. For me that seems to be impossible. Maybe some of you may have a chance, but most of us won't make it that far. 

To reach my goal I would have to live 7090 days. While my number seems to be a reasonable number it is purely arbitrary. I am aware of the Lord knows the day of my death. Nevertheless it seems to be a good number to go for. If I live 83 years I think I lived a long time. Much longer than my parents or my brother, which isn't necessarily a good thing to know. To get there I do have to make good lifestyle changes and pay attention to healthy living. Many of these changes I have put in operation since about age 55. I follow my doctor's advice which is right now centering about 80% of my effort to not over eating. Once again the weight is starting to come off. 

Counting these 7000+ days I have left I think the most important thing is how we live them. 

1. Each day is a blessing rain or shine
2. Each day is an opportunity focussed on  what I feel is important.
3. Each day consider my relationship to the Lord
4. Each day consider my relationship to Barb, family and friends.  Are you familiar with the idea of toxic relationships, now's a good time to set up good borders with them. 
5. It is good to have a bucket list and enjoying every blessing you can.  I hope by now you read books that you enjoy and not what others may tell you to read. Record TV shows you want to watch and let the others go. I want to do things every day that are good for me. 
6. Since I'm not dead yet,  I know I have an opportunity to help who I want to help and  God has made it clear to me to help some in need.  I think this has to be personal and not tied do some political, philosophical or religious  agenda of others.  But I'm going to stay open on this.  Just something to think about,  keep walking

Playing the odds

My Cubbies are in the playoffs, and I'm full of baseball stats. Playing the percentages can make a difference between winning and losing. But always a problem a good pitch can be hit and a bad Pitch can be missed. On any given day a weak player can make the play of the game and a very good player can boot the ball. Baseball can drive you nuts you think about it.

It is the same way with health, we play the percentages. In an article appearing in AARP this month pointed out that if we walk 30 minutes a day five days a week we can increase our chances of dying suddenly by 30%. The article reported that if you walk 15 minutes a day you have the benefit I'm reducing sudden death by 22%. If you factor in good sleep, healthy food, and good weight you may be able to even increase those odds. What drives us nuts is doing all right things doesn't guarantee that you won't have a sudden death. 

What does tip the scales for me about a good lifestyle choices is the one guarantee that we will feel better walking 15 to 30 minutes a day then if we don't. Walking, biking, Swimming are all activities that can improve the quality of our life. I am putting in some new windows in my home that will improve the quality of my experience with all the weather experiences we have here in Midwest. Maybe someday it'll make up the costs with savings from energy. Or maybe it will help with resale value. But I know it will help feel warmer this winter. 

I hope the numbers encourage you to keep on walking. Life is like baseball we like to improve our odds to live better and maybe just a little longer. 

I like seeing the Cubs playing better baseball, win or lose they've been fun this season. I know Madden will play by the numbers and they got a good shot. I will try to enjoy each game and we'll see what happens. I think the same way when we take a walk, doing what's good for us and enjoying each day, being thankful to the Lord for each breath we take and moment to enjoy. Keep walking and Go Cubs!

How those who are strong can encourage us

I've been thinking about Psalm 34:2, "my soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice." Who are the afflicted? Are they the ones who are mistreated, letdown, or are they poor, have some other disadvantage? I have always tried to overcome my weaknesses, handicap, nor even fears. As I look back I realize that despite my handicap it's kind of made me strong. I was reading in When Nietzsche Wept, "whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger." I don't know about that statement.  I think sometimes many things can happen and we can be overwhelmed. But there's something about steel of character and it's about not by easy things but the hard things.
I think it's a good idea to let our kids experience problems. We can set a boundary on that experience and let them know we were behind them. But letting them work at their problems will make them stronger and let me introduce the idea of teaching them to pray. Being strong physically, mentally and emotionally doesn't exclude our need of God and prayer. God works through gifted people and people of character. The human need of salvation and the gift of eternal life is for both the strong and weak. If we think of the strong as not needing God then I don't think we see how it works. If someone thinKs they don't need God they are a fool, Ps, 14:1.
I have an exaggerated fear of helplessness. And I will doing anything I can to be an  overcomer. That used to be a theme in psychology books back in the 70s. Striving to overcome, to build up ourselves, to work at things so that in our life can be better that's a good thing. Some things don't come easy, there isn't really an easy road for it.
The occasion of Psalms 34 is David here acting the crazy man, he had put himself between a rock and hard place. Saul was trying to kill him and the Philistines were in front of him, and he ran out of options. David the champion for the Lord finds himself in a place where he couldn't do anything to save himself. That is hard place to be for anyone who is a strong person. I know how hard it is sometimes bend a knee, to ask for help. In Psalm 34 records his experience of trusting God when he is in a difficult life threatening situation.
To often we think others should care for those in need. We are fortunate to live in a country where we are generous that way. I have been challenging myself to find ways of doing things myself. It is not good enough to look back, somehow it still matters as an old man. I don't want a pat on the back. The truth is what ever I do it won't be enough. I only write of it to stimulate thought and action for any of us to keep at it and make it personal.
Think about widows and orphans, about those who for  no fault of themselves by himself unable to care for themselves. We might be strong without someone else, but when the light turns around and we are the ones who have that need even temporary, it is challenging. James 1:27 talks about people who are in distress, and if you we can help them to be relieved so they can go on to care for themselves, to work things out for a better situation that is a good religion. People being people there will always be someone in need. But hopefully meeting somebody's distress they can rebuild their life and give to someone else has a need.
Read through the psalm, David got to the bottom line, it's a place we really don't want to go to but we get there sometimes. All of his resources, his strength, the things that made him heroic were of no use to him and faking insanity I think in his heart, he cried out for God to help. You can check out the story but he lived through that crazy time and God protected him many times. If the strong cry out to God, which I think we think of is rare, but when they do many are encouraged. Keep walking

Kindred spirits can be broken by politics

With politics brewing it seems we are in for nasty times. Anger, bitterness, and resentment will follow. In David McCullough’s book John Adams, he made me interested in Adams who was both passionate and intelligent with a story worth knowing. Insights about the friendships of Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin were worth the the time reading. These three men were the thought and soul of our independence. Their bond during the drafting and struggle for independence was very special indeed. 

Franklin the most flexible of the three died before politics drove a wedge between the friendship of Adams and Jefferson. Once kindred spirits they became bitter foes. Ideology took priority over friendship, They died on the same day 50 years later after their work on the Declaration of Independence. It is one of the best political documents of all time. Along with the Constitution I wish every american could read them or listen to an audio. 

I think most of us had classwork to pass a constitutional test in 8th grade. When it comes to historical documents or literature I agree with C. S. Lewis that I would rather read the document myself then have somebody explain it to me. Interpretation of others usually has a vested interest or motivation that underlies it. Reading a document that is 20 minutes to read is better than reading a 500 page explaination. 

Adams and Jefferson were first rate minds. Their friendship was genuine. What they did together was better than what they could do themselves. Politics and power can destroy the best of human relationships. Politics can enter into any human experience at work, church, or home. 

I think something was lost when politics destroyed the friendship of Adams and Jefferson. It seems it bothered them until the day of their deaths. Make no mistake about it politics is costly in human value and relationships. 

In the social media where you have friends of different political opinions, treat them with respect. Keep an open mind or least be willing to listen. I know I am cynical, but I am not sure politicians have my best interest nor do I think the media is looking out for me. It gives me pause before I articulate my two cents. Social media is a new beast for most of us. 

For me I prefer friendships over politics. Keep walking

P.S. John Adams was a walker, often for 10 miles or more even as an old man.

Can we accept who we are?

I was writing a devotional from my book "Walking with Jesus, a walker's view". I was thinking about gifted and ordinary people. They all begin the same way as babies. We have the idea of unlimited potential with each little one. That's a good idea but as we see life unfold most of us wind up ordinary.  What do you think?
"How God works with each of us includes weather we are ordinary or gifted. Every child can play the game of sports, but not every child is going to be a professional player. Every child hopefully goes to school, but not every child is a genius. Every child is beautifully and wonderfully made, but not every child will have stunning looks. We need to understand that God does not look at the ordinary the way we do. God loves ordinary people that is why he made so many of them."

"People often throw away the gifts that God gives and they live selfishly and even stupidly. But an ordinary person who walks with God whether we ever recognize it or not, we will find out in heaven God's value of that ordinary life." 

Can we accept who we are? Can we value ordinary?

When it comes to health a good debate is cool.

Everybody writing about the health scene wants people to read their article. Many times when you look at Health articles you see sensational headlines. When you check out the article the information may even suggest otherwise. But if you made a headline about that nobody would read it.
I came across an article in the Chicago tribune, Health watchdog sets the record straight on which studies to believe.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sc-hlth-0916-evaluating-health-news-20150910-story.html
http://www.healthnewsreview.org
I went to the website and I clicked on an article Half of Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes? Really? What does that mean?
I read the study and I looked at the articles from the Los Angeles times, webMD and NBC news. The articles weren't wrong but looking at the health news review I had an opportunity to look at a critical analysis of the study. Not all medical authorities agree that half of Americans have diabetes or prediabetes. The study according to medical people who disagree with the study suggest the study has expanded the definition of diabetes and pre diabetes. This would naturally increase the numbers.
Diabetes is a big enough, and along with heart disease and cancer are the top three killers we face. There is no doubt about it as we age weight becomes a bigger factor in our health. For many years we can carry the weight and still be healthy, but as we age this becomes more difficult.
I appreciate it looking at the study from two points of view. Neither view plays down the problem of diabetes, but I think it helps to understand the best ways to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
For me, it encourages me to continue to work on losing weight and keep up exercising. To start with a heart healthy diet is the first beginning strategy.
On health news review there is a four minute interview with the doctor with mayo clinic. Nothing beats being aware of your health numbers and following a personal plan with your doctor. Too many times we blow this off and do not follow the recommendations. Remember our three enemies, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. We need to pay attention to the big picture and get a few more years of independent living in return. Keep walking

Connecting the land and the Bible, a hobby of mine

Photo I took as we walked along the walls 1976
Jerusalem

Do you have hobbies? Maybe interests that seem to stay with you overtime. I like to share with you one of mine.
Ever since I took a Study tour in Israel in the summer of 1976, I have been fascinated with connecting the land of the Bible to the Bible and my walk with God. One of the layers of the inductive Bible study is just trying to get a sense of the first readers of the Bible. There you find the primary meaning and application. History, Geography, Archaeology and the locations themselves help unlock what the Bible teaches. When we bridging the time-gap to our own time will become easier.
Here are some web sites to follow if you like to travel back in time where the story of the Bible took place.
http://blog.bibleplaces.com
https://ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com
http://www.waynestiles.com
http://www.bibleplaces.com
http://www.lifeintheholyland.com
http://blog.ritmeyer.com
https://holylandphotos.wordpress.com
Keep walking

Growing older together

I subject I rarely write about but should more often is about aging and sex. In particular how does walking help with a healthy sex life as we age. I made the following comment on a blog I follow and the writer wrote back. Leslie wrote an opinion on the new marketing of a female viagra pill. Follow the link below for her discussion:

"Sexuality as a age I find is interesting. I have occasionally used viagra. What I believe works better without side effects is a love marriage where in a relaxing atmosphere everything is worked out. I at least experience definite changes as we age. When love comes with sexuality even as we decline the relationship continues to meet the challenges. The drug may be helpful, but it can't replace old lovers."

1. image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0km3b8aT7vXJdy_5SLqLsyl0HlYHdNxi8Z3ar8s_fFq3dwjQmcqL4g6NAg_sW8BL2sWkNDUP5-1wwUn9581bJah1jzkdtTaMJntkQKrNzau6vypfGusOQbeZid4AD0k2qJcb48iLYYVc/s35/blogcrop.jpg
   
   Leslie Leyland FieldsAugust 21, 2015 at 10:08 AM

   Hi Bill, I agree with you, that love and understanding are likely to make more of a difference than a pill. Love this phrase, "when love comes with sexuality, even as we decline the relationship continues to meet the challenges." So good!!

Read more at http://www.leslieleylandfields.com/2015/08/do-women-need-anti-viagra-drug-what.html#OjFvl0PeVvOeBLLX.99

Female viagra explained
https://www.sharecare.com/health/sex-and-relationships/slideshow/female-viagra-explained-in-5-clicks

How do they work through sex issues?
What if they can't have sex, how are they coping?

Walking has the following benefits for aging lovers. 
Walking aerobically opens the blood vessels for increase blood flow through out the body. It is definitely a plus for the brain and body.
Walking helps keep the weight off which in turn helps with lovemaking. 
Recumbent bikes have a better seat design which will not restrict blood flow.
Walking helps the heart and that in turn helps our sex life.
http://walking.about.com/od/malehealth/a/edwalkgood.htm
More important then walking is the intimacy of the relationship gets older that works through the issues that come with our decline. A loving couple will have the ability to adapt to the changes that occur as we get older. Even when we can longer have sex due to health, the closeness, touch, and intimate companionship remains.
It is very hard for Hollywood, popular media to get a handle on old lovers. We wince at the thought of old lovers. Many men discard their wives for younger models, insane in my opinion. 
Go for a walk, do romantic things, work through together viagra or not and grow old together. Keep walking
Proverbs 5:18, 19 "Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful fawn —let her breasts always satisfy you; be lost in her love forever."

I failed a health test, cool - learned from it

I took a test well Weekly quiz

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/the-weekly-health-quiz-mosquitoes-walking-and-brain-health/#int-chad-ballot-wrapper-20150814-healthquiz

I failed

The questions I missed two of the answers. I could've made a better connection in my answer. But there were several questions that I miss because the material is new to me. 

#2 a study of older men and women found that walking briskly for this many minutes per week improve scores contest of thinking skills:

75 minutes

150 minutes

225 minutes

Cognitive scores improved with all levels of exercise

My brain shifted to a 150 minutes. That is recommended minutes of walking we should do every week. I did not really read the last choice, cognitive scores improved with all levels of exercise. Had I really read it I would've reason of course that's the right answer.

The good thing is the New York Times gives a reference to the article that supports the answer. So I clicked on and read the article.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/12/the-right-dose-of-exercise-for-the-aging-brain/?ref=health

The study was done with 101 people divided in four groups. One group doing the same that they have always done. One group walked 75 minutes, another 150 minutes, and still another at 225 minutes. They did this for 26 weeks. The more you walk the more fit you were, but all three groups improve their thinking.

The study is one more study that demonstrates walking may be able to delay dementia. It also helps a healthy brain that is aging to stay more engaged. Delay is good. Keep walking

The things I have learned being a professional patient...

Here I think is a good cartoon they have in every hospital room. My family will laugh at this because they side with the nurse, my wife.
In the past, hospital rooms we're actually wards. In the ward there would be ten to a hundred people in all different states of health. It had to be similar to experience I had in many intensive care waiting rooms.
I remember being in Children's Memorial Hospital intensive care unit where children miraculously survived or died every day. Our grandchild lived through several life or death emergencies. They finally found the rare disorder and fixed it. He lived. But children were not so lucky. In the waiting room was like living in war. I couldn't wait to leave.
Our feisty patient in the cartoon is very aware of obvious suffering. I have been there. When I have looked closer at the people the nurse was treating, I became aware that there were others indeed more sick then I. I then was also the patient another time who was so sick I was barely conscious.
All this experience doesn't necessarily change how much I've groan to Barb, which is why my family is still laughing. But the perspective we have is important both to the nurse and the complaining patient. The professional has seen it all, and yet they have to pay attention to the personal experience of the patient who may be at a low point and not at their best.
Overall my experiences I am very thankful for the caregivers. It is usually later at night when nobody's around that I come to my senses about the wonderful the care Barb gives me. Why I am such a baby with her is amazing. I guess it's why I found the cartoon funny. Keep walking