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Practical Holiness can be lived out. God not only motivates us but enables us. Part 2, I dig a little deeper but keep it practical and I hope understandable. Let me know what you think and if it worthy share with your friends.

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Reeves Relay part three Pilgrims

 O the pilgrims

Imagine in the 1620s in Massachusetts going into the winter where are you will face your first NorthEaster. Wind and temperature you probably never experienced in England. Keep in mind there is no insulation. You have a little food and by spring half of you will be dead. Social distancing was not a problem.

Take time to visit the lonely.

That puts our experiences rather different perspective Something to be thankful for. I am thankful for the heat, light, food, and family support. Thank you, Lord

Actually call, Come on millennials get real - Call, actually write a letter.

 As we approach the holidays how can we embrace our traditions this year with Covid?

Since COVID-19 is quite contagious we will have to embrace health and safety for our loved ones.

This season we may see more celebrations done with smaller familiar settings. Parents with their children, older grandparents with one another.

How do we reach out to those in our family that may be alone? Are those people virus-free? Are they fragile in their health? How can you reach out to them?

• Telephone, video calls
• Prepare and deliver meals
• Visits through glass doors
• Write mail letters

We have many challenges. I think them through and try to solve the problems.

We may have to have several smaller family gatherings at various times. I'm gonna throw this out there, don't text - call, If you can use video calls.  Make it as personal as possible.

Write a Letter of Thanks 

 I would say that we are out of the practice of writing personal letters. I know we need to learn to reuse our phones and actually call people. Texting has its limitations in a sense of commitment where we tell people we don't have the time to commit to a phone call.

If you use electronic mailing or messaging there is a voice connection. But in the message cursive writing may convey a personal touch. People may have to decode it for its no longer used a lot. But it may in a personal way to the communication of loving thanks. If you do not write cursive write the letter out using a font on your word processor. Sign your own signature.

Using actual mail with letter and stamp I think would be really special. Writing to loved ones may become a keepsake for many years. Letters are often kept. By them you can record your loved things for people that you care about. At this time the letter itself may be a special encouragement.

Suggestions:

• Keep the letter brief enough to stay on point. Most of us if we write too long it may not be as good.
• It is a good idea to write 3 to 5 things you are thankful for that person.
• Thankfulness can also express appreciation or love.
• Express the hope that COVID-19 will be overcome and your desire to see your loved ones remain a top priority.

I hope these thoughts stimulate your own creative juices to express things and love during the holiday season. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Family gatherings are what we want to return to. Human isolation is not the new norm.

In the Lamb

Bill Reeves Jr.

Reeves Raley November Gratitude a game-changer pt 1

Char Sandberg writing in this month’s newsletter for Meijer Clinic that gratitude can be an antidote for fear. With the coming of COVID-19, we have undergone a number of changes where flexibility is required by everybody.

Now we are in the holiday season where there will be many who will experience the holidays alone. This forced loneliness in isolation for many is just one of the casualties of war with this virus.

We may feel powerless to do anything about it at first but Char reminds us “God has not given a spirit of fear but of love, of power and of sound mind” second Timothy 1:7. We can have many negative emotions running rampant right now. Anxiety, fear, loneliness, if we feel alone and the holidays we often think so absolutely with the feeling that we are the only person experiencing this loneliness. Negative thinking often operates in the area of absolutes. 

Well, first of all, challenge all negative thinking. Find something that contradicts it. In this case, many people are going through this the same problem. You are not alone. Many of us have the same feeling.

Char Sandburg points out expressing gratitude is a very biblical idea. Furthermore modern research and studies verify the power to change our brain expressing gratitude throughout the day as needed. She shares that we may not be able to change our circumstances but we can change our thoughts, feelings, and behavior that will make all the difference in how we go through our experiences. 

Take time to express your gratitude. Write them down. I often challenge myself to think of 3-5 things that I am thankful for. Even one thing can make a difference. Shifting to a solid idea of love, forgiveness, thankfulness can change the negative emotions to positive ones. The effect on the brain is enormous and the change of attitude gives us the strength to deal with those things changes that come.

https://www.meierclinics.com/gratitude-the-antidote-to-fear/

Char Sandberg was one of my therapists as I recovered from depression and anxiety and post-traumatic stress.  

How can you help people you know isolated from Covid and health issues? We all have a ministry to comfort.

Give thanks

In everything give thanks. For us to make this part of our practice we will have to give it some thought. I think that is the idea of it is to give it some thought. If we are shifting from a negative thought to a positive expression of thanks; we have to think it through. Our experience will show us how useful this is and will encourage us to practice 1 Thess. 5:18.

By the way, it is an easy verse to memorize & meditate on.

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Life Ain't Fair

Can’t give up

With COVID-19, it seems to me our optimism about health has been compromised. I have seen many people discouraged. The attitudeIs understandable. People are still getting sick with COVID-19. It is like a cloud hanging over us is understandable. now more than ever we need to pay attention to our personal health. With walking with a fat man I know the challenges still remain with cardioVascular, Cancer, and diabetes. Call vet 19 usually piggy banks with these problems and can bring a Health to a point of crisis. It is here that we have to keep doing the things that help us to build our immune system and keep us healthy. Don't give updon't give up We challenge yourself to have a heart healthy diet. I have to admit I have failed losing weight but I still have 5 to 9 helpings of fruits and vegetables every day. For me I'm going to have to find a way to learn to eat better. What is your challenge? we need to keep moving and as we get older increase her strength training. As we age strength training requires understanding our bodies and seeing our doctor. walking in aerobic exercise becomes more adaptable as we get older. Developing of an exercise program for you Is very possible. Diet and exercise starts where are you are and looks to make a goal of getting better.diet and exercise starts where are you are and looks to make a goal of getting better. Along with movement comes flexibility. Just moving your body helps flexibility but addingStretching is very good for you. It is actually very good for your heart health.it is actually very good for your heart health. Taking care of these things will give you the best chance along with good sleeping to build up your immune system. Take advantage of virtual biking with a stationary bike. Keep walking

 Homework week 1 - Travels with Paul

Ephesus

Come join me on Monday nights for a virtual journey. Pack your virtual bags and we are off.

https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/acts

https://bible.org/series/studies-book-acts

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+1

https://bible.org/book/Acts

https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ivp-nt/toc/

Choose one

• I want to be very flexible in choosing a commentary or guide in the book of acts. You can order Charles Swindoll's commentary on acts either as a kindle book or paper back through an online bookstore seller or Amazon. Very good
• But you can also go to the websites above and use various commentary options. If you go to Bible Gateway and work your way through the menu in sources and commentaries follow the Tyndale commentaries and you will get to the book of acts by Howard Marshall. Evangelical, excellent for context and history
• If you go to bible.org you will discover their lumina page where are you can use Thomas constable commentary on acts. Or you can go to his website by typing his name in your browser and you can download a PDF file of his commentary and Acts.
• Ray Stedman has audio and text files on Acts. Very good
• At study light.org are very good resources. Above I take you to the commentary page where you will find Ironside, A. T. Robinson, and CI Scofield. Remember I am asking to choose 1 from what I listed. 

Secondary options:

bible.org has other options on Acts,

https://www.ccel.org

https://ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/paul_roman

https://ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/letters

Follow up study - do what you can - Read Acts 18:18-22; 23-28; 19-20:1; 1 Cor. 16:8, 9

Read the Book of Ephesians looking for the teaching meant for the first century. Consider the original occasion for the letter.

Memorize Ephesian 5:15

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Inductive bible study methods used in James

Dealing with loose lips

Dealing with loose lips

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Praying for God's Wisdom - study in James 1:5-8

Enjoying the outdoors

Today was a great day for a bike ride. I road well over an hour. There were lots of branches down. People were in their yards, some were walking and biking. Outdoor biking time just seems to fly by.

Yesterday I did a virtual biking in Long Beach California. The beach trail goes down to the Queen Mary. Barb and I walked the trail some years back. One thing I noticed it was very quiet. Along the trail are fitness activities you can add to your walk or ride. People were flying kites. 

These experiences I was watching how people were coping outdoors. Most don't wear masks, but the trails or even here most were social distant from each other. I had my mask available for any social contact. In California there were a number of guys who had bandanas available if needed. On the trail there about 40% were using masks. On local trails here most do not use masks on trails. Again people are distant from each other. I was just making observations.

Blue skies, wind in my face mostly going between 6 and 10 miles a hour. Speed wasn't my intent just peddling with my motorized bike. What a lift to be outside in the springtime. Keep walking

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How God help James become a leader?

Nursing homes simply were not ready - Are we prepared to make them better?

Last week the Chicago Tribune reported 286 at nursing homes estimating 25% of our deaths in Illinois at the time. In the general population today it is an estimated 200,000 people worldwide. Considering our interventions out of 8 or 9 billion people those numbers are low compared to what it could've been.

 In the city of Joliet where I live, Symphony had 84 cases, and 24 deaths reported to lead the state. The caregivers at Symphony stated that they had the highest rate of testing in the state. They claim every nursing home needs testing to see what is going on. 

 The New York Times reported from the article 6,900 COVID 19 deaths were tied to nursing homes nationwide. About 20% of all the COVID 19 deaths reported. The State of Illinois has about 23% of those who died of COVID 19. The variance of numbers could be related to the testing done in the state compared to the national average. but a ballpark figure is relatively the same throughout the states. Any state with a higher population is going to have greater numbers. 

 Nursing homes provide a service in our country but they exist to be the lowest cost possible. The cost to the people in the nursing home usually dries up their life savings. If they live longer then projected their resources are less. Caregivers they use don't match the qualifications found in hospitals. Training and in-services do not match the same levels as hospitals. What are our expectations? We have the neediest with fewer resources. What did we expect as an outcome? I know our hospitals weren't ready and I know our nursing homes came into the virus war already stressed, overworked, and undertrained. 

 A reality check as we age our ability to fight diseases lessen. For many people who are older and healthy, 80-90’s it is the flu or other viruses that lead to pneumonia and death. A new virus-like COVID 19 which is a very contagious will, hit heavily in elderly care. 

What can we do?

• All of our retirement plans must invest in nursing home care. 
• We have to encourage qualifications with an incentive for education. I always knew to improve job performance as para pros in education, (they are good people) but to improve work there have to be incentives for education and qualifications. Many para pros in healthcare are there as aids. They are needed, but they need to be educated in qualified as professionals in their work. Nursing homes depend a lot on LPN’s. Their training is about a year unless it's been updated. But they need incentives for education for example level one two and three. Each with training to go with it. Their license may require education units to stay licensed. But these incentives have to be matched with pay. Not a lot of people are going to do this for nothing.
• Maybe it is time for nursing homes to employ physician assistants.
• Nursing homes can develop a mobile virtual assessment cart. Here the Dr. can see the patient and have the necessary vital signs the doctors looking for to help evaluate care. Working with the doctor's assistants, RNs, and staff. Puts the elderly patient in quarantine or even regularly in better contact with the physician. 
• We have on a personal level to expect as we get older will have more health issues. We are not all going to be working on a beach in the Caribbean. 
• I think about veterans in VA homes, many older people in nursing homes are lonely and forgotten. In what I hope is a historical event, not a regular one, we need to prepare virtual visits that we give regularly to the ones we love. Life isn't perfect but there's a lot of things we can do.

James in unbelief with graphics

James in Unbelief

Questions, Questions Living with COVID 19

I ran into a line of argument concerning hype and loss of freedom is part of this outbreak? The impact of being confined for part of March and April some states like Illinois possibly going on into May will have many unintended negative consequences of loss of work, school, suicide, abuse. A strong argument for our mitigation actions is the millions of lives saved. The president and team projected 2,200,000 which I believe is a conservative estimate. My estimate was 1% of 350,000,000 or 3.5 million. The actual numbers so far are lower, thank God.
Decisions to save lives will be noble but as we move forward may not be appreciated as we recover to normal. Doctors will soon find lawyers pushing back in the weeks and months ahead. Hype and loss of freedom is part of this discussion. We rarely call the media into account as they move for ratings.  The media will sway with no moral base to wherever the wind may blow.
I want to see ballparks filled again and freedom restored. I am concerned we will lose freedom.
Will steps taken this time to restrict public gatherings be used next time to restrict gatherings those in power oppose? I believe the government acted in goodwill this time but we have to raise 1st amendment rights each time this takes place.  Martial law sometimes comes into place. Here we see it because of medical concerns. Will actions from this point further move in the direction COVID 19 reveals with solid data and knowledge or will it be used to broaden elitist control left or right? Hold to your political beliefs but I encourage thought concerning our basic rights. Mitigation seems most reasonable in regard to lives lost to fight this unseen enemy. It can not sustain us but it seemed wise to apply it. It is my hope we ask a lot of questions and maybe next time we can target our mitigation better.
Was this a created virus by humans? Will terrorists change weapons to bio-weapons after seeing how we reacted and worldwide? I ran into a line of argument concerning hype and loss of freedom is part of this outbreak? The impact of being confined for part of March and April some states like Illinois possibly going on into May will have many unintended negative consequences of loss of work, school, suicide, abuse. A strong argument for our mitigation actions is the millions of lives saved. The president and team projected 2,200,000 which I believe is a conservative estimate. My estimate was 1% of 350,000,000 or 3.5 million. The actual numbers so far are lower, thank God. Decisions to save lives will be noble but as we move forward may not be appreciated as we recover to normal. Doctors will soon find lawyers pushing back in the weeks and months ahead. Hype and loss of freedom is part of this discussion. We rarely call the media into account as they move for ratings.  The media will sway with no moral base to wherever the wind may blow.
I want to see ballparks filled again and freedom restored. I am concerned we will lose freedom. Will steps taken this time to restrict public gatherings be used next time to restrict gatherings those in power oppose? I believe the government acted in goodwill this time but we have to raise 1st amendment rights each time this takes place.  Martial law sometimes comes into place. Here we see it because of medical concerns. Will actions from this point further move in the direction COVID 19 reveals with solid data and knowledge or will it be used to broaden elitist control left or right? Hold to your political beliefs but I encourage thought concerning our basic rights. Mitigation seems most reasonable in regard to lives lost to fight this unseen enemy. It can not sustain us but it seemed wise to apply it. It is my hope we ask a lot of questions and maybe next time we can target our mitigation better.
Was this a created virus by humans? Will terrorists change weapons to bio-weapons after seeing how we reacted worldwide response? If we have the ability to create viruses what will be done in the name of science or defense in the future? Science can be used for good or bad. We have learned that right?
Did we do well regarding the most vulnerable, the aged and those whose health has been compromised?  Did we improve therapy for the people in the nursing home that could help some of these people survive? Were they so weak and aged that this fast-spreading and powerful virus overcome them? Are there times when we are helpless against death? This taps into our greatest fear. We may be so afraid we attack each other and follow unreasonable behavior.
My wife and I have been living with COVID 19. She contacted it helping disabled adults as an RN. After she came down with the virus she was tested with drive-in testing that wasn't even in our county. She tested positive. I came down with flu-like symptoms several days later. When her health improved, I called my doctor had a virtual check-up with him and he agreed I needed to be tested. Because I am not in health-care I was tested at a local hospital drive-in which sends a test to the lab. I am still waiting for the results. As soon as I hear, I will share the results. Questions. The delay in this disease is not good. That is a good question, Can we create lab connections that are faster?
In my next blog, I would like to explore improving elderly care? What are our limits? In a local nursing home, there have been 24 deaths out of 120 people in the home. That is 17% of those in the home. Scary, keep walking

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Covid-19 Preparing for what if and reducing stress

Time to reduce stress

It is hard not to think about coronavirus. News about it is everywhere. I am just like many of you trying to get practical information to decrease the chances of getting sick and if I or a loved one get sick with the virus how can I care for myself or someone else to survive. Being a senior citizen this is critical to know what are the challenges.
Below I share links to Mayo, CDC, Harvard Medical and My local state. These sites have good information we need to fight this virus.







According to the CDC, the symptoms are in serious cases:

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning

Harvard lists:

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Some people infected with the virus have no symptoms. When the virus does cause symptoms, common ones include low-grade fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. However, COVID-19 can occasionally cause more severe symptoms like high fever, severe cough, and shortness of breath, which often indicates pneumonia.

Right now any symptoms you experience contact your health care provider. Whether at home or treated in a hospital that will be between you and your healthcare provider. Keep in mind I am just like you. I am not a doctor and I don't plan to diagnose or treat my self. If I get symptoms I am going to call my doctor. 

According to Mayo clinic care at home will be managing the symptoms like we do with the flu. 

Currently, no antiviral medication is recommended to treat COVID-19. Treatment is directed at relieving symptoms and may include:

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
• Cough syrup or medication
• Rest
• Fluid intake

Learning how to treat the virus may help in preventing it from getting serious. But if we get more serious symptoms then again call your healthcare provider.
Mayo had very good information to lower your stress over the coverage of the virus which in turn helps you better fight the virus. Since the media lives off this crisis like a shark in the water, limit yourself from their hyping things up.  Reducing time spent helping their ratings to activities you enjoy will reduce news stress.
Covid-19 is more serious than the flu, but we can fight it and give ourselves the best chance to get through this. Keep walking
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20479976
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html
coronavirus-resource-center
http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

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Reached 100,000 Hits

My journey is an ongoing series of adjustments. I went from walking to biking to prevent falling because of my Cerebral palsy and now I am walking short walks to improve my ability to balance and walk.

I haven't been writing a lot lately but people continue to visit the blog and find posts to read. In the Fatman walking, I explore what I have discovered that helps to keep moving and keep my health up as I age.
There are four basic enemies that can cut our lives short heart disease and cardiovascular disease, strokes are part of this; cancer, diabetes, and I have added dementia.
As we age there are other issues we face, but these four are on top of the list.
Being a Fatman obesity is a battle. With aging our metabolism slows down and our health may bring mobility problems that make weight even more difficult to manage. I have seen research on how our body resists our efforts to lose weight.
In my blog, I have been open to mental health issues of dealing with depression, insomnia, anxiety and later post-traumatic stress. These things are in remission and I am happy to report this old man isn't living a grumpy, blue life unable to sleep.
Biking, resistant training, flexibility, shadow boxing all play a part in fitness.

Walking the dog is an
easy 1-mile walk at the
end of the day

I have shared my spiritual journey, I hope in a positive way. In the present moment, there are great hostilities concerning the faith. Too many view expression of faith as a fanatical, negative perspective that is not healthy or balanced at all. I hope to encourage a closer look.
I have shared the stories of people who have lived long lives and why they were able.
My perspective is not from a health expert, but a fat old man. I hope it encourages you to keep walking. Thank you for hitting my blog 100,000 times.