Friday, July 26, 2013
Sometimes a title says it all ...
There is an old saying, "What would Jesus do?" When I titled this blog a long time ago I had no intention of comparing it to that old phrase. So what have I done lately? Not enough. Not nearly enough.
If we are lucky, we experience a few life changing moments in our short time here. I have been fortunate to not only have experienced several of these events, but to recognize them and use them to make changes in my life.
Low and behold I have been recently graced with another. I have not been taking care of myself the last couple of years and as a result this past Saturday morning (July 20th, around 5am) I was rushed to the emergency room with a massive heart attach. I am blessed that the doctors on duty at Troy Beaumont were able to pull me out and back to safety. Laying in a bed in the Critical Care Unit on the the 3rd floor allowed me a lot of time to ponder just what has been going on in my life. My new cardiologist and newest BFF, Dr. T said that based on the test results, this problem has been a problem for a while now. I may have had a couple of heart attacks in the last couple of months that weren't bad enough to get my attention. Well Dr. T.... this one got my attention. I'm not going into the goory details about how after they cathed my arm, spent near an hour trying to clear an artery that is still jammed. Bottom line, I made it and I have a Golden Opportunity to do something about it. I'm not going to dwell on all the what if this or what if that ... they didn't happen. Right? Laura and I have started living healthier all ready. Today is day nine with no cigarettes. And I don't even want one. Okay, that's total B.S. I want one right now, but I'm not going to smoke.
I'm going to enjoy this life changing moment...so right now... that is what David would do...
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Talkig back to FB
"Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul."
-- Douglas MacArthur, General
Listening to the radio while delivering papers this past Sunday was inthrawled by the Peter Werbe program. His guest was talking also raising kids in the digital age http://www.talkingbacktofacebook.com/ ...something I am currently involved in doing. Check out http://www.peterwerbe.com/guests.html and http://www.wrif.com/podcasts/Episodes.aspx?PID=1499
-- Douglas MacArthur, General
Listening to the radio while delivering papers this past Sunday was inthrawled by the Peter Werbe program. His guest was talking also raising kids in the digital age http://www.talkingbacktofacebook.com/ ...something I am currently involved in doing. Check out http://www.peterwerbe.com/guests.html and http://www.wrif.com/podcasts/Episodes.aspx?PID=1499
Friday, December 16, 2011
What are you Thankful for today...
Taken from the Advisor Source
Serving Macomb County, Michigan — Friday, December 16, 2011
Guest column: God meets us where we are
Published: Friday, December 16, 2011
"How many hours do you expect to spend fighting during your life together?" I asked the prospective bride and groom sitting across the desk from me.
Surprised, they laughed.
Not many who plan for marriage talk about the time they may lose in coming battles. Perhaps if they did there would be fewer home breakups.
A woman speaking to me on the phone blurted: "I'm disgusted with you."
"That's a terrible waste of time," I replied, kindly, in an effort to remind her that time is too precious to waste in useless anger and conflict.
A dying queen is said to have cried, "Millions in money for an inch of time."
How many of your remaining hours do you expect to spend in a negative, critical or depressed mood?
Is this a needless question?
Perhaps not!
You may even enjoy being down or down on others but there is a better way to live.
Positively!
"Sounds good," you may be thinking, but how does one achieve this positive peace of mind?
What's the secret of living peacefully?
I recommend simply practicing the presence of God.
Start each day giving thanks for your blessings.
Become active in a church and contribute to its work in your community.
In his book, "Secrets of the Spirit," author Ray Stedman says at a time when he was going through a tough time five words of Jesus turned his life around: "Let not your heart be troubled."
While these words had long been familiar to him, Stedman found personal power in them to bring peace. What familiar words of wisdom lurk in your mind awaiting your application of their power to set you free from stress and sorrow?
God also meets us in times of thankfulness.
How many things can you name that make you thankful?
The moment we begin thanking God for His present blessings, we are on our way out of the pits because thanksgiving cancels negativism.
When I awake in the morning knowing that my family members are well and have lived safely through the night I can count enough blessings to keep me positive all day.
Most of us have times ahead in hospital rooms or doctor's waiting rooms. If this is not one of those times, it is a time for thanksgiving, a period to be filled with praise.
Jesus taught His disciples to be thankful for daily bread. If there is food on the table, this is a day for praise ... not pouting.
Roger Campbell is an author, a broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years. He can be reached at rcministry@ameritech.net
Serving Macomb County, Michigan — Friday, December 16, 2011
Guest column: God meets us where we are
Published: Friday, December 16, 2011
"How many hours do you expect to spend fighting during your life together?" I asked the prospective bride and groom sitting across the desk from me.
Surprised, they laughed.
Not many who plan for marriage talk about the time they may lose in coming battles. Perhaps if they did there would be fewer home breakups.
A woman speaking to me on the phone blurted: "I'm disgusted with you."
"That's a terrible waste of time," I replied, kindly, in an effort to remind her that time is too precious to waste in useless anger and conflict.
A dying queen is said to have cried, "Millions in money for an inch of time."
How many of your remaining hours do you expect to spend in a negative, critical or depressed mood?
Is this a needless question?
Perhaps not!
You may even enjoy being down or down on others but there is a better way to live.
Positively!
"Sounds good," you may be thinking, but how does one achieve this positive peace of mind?
What's the secret of living peacefully?
I recommend simply practicing the presence of God.
Start each day giving thanks for your blessings.
Become active in a church and contribute to its work in your community.
In his book, "Secrets of the Spirit," author Ray Stedman says at a time when he was going through a tough time five words of Jesus turned his life around: "Let not your heart be troubled."
While these words had long been familiar to him, Stedman found personal power in them to bring peace. What familiar words of wisdom lurk in your mind awaiting your application of their power to set you free from stress and sorrow?
God also meets us in times of thankfulness.
How many things can you name that make you thankful?
The moment we begin thanking God for His present blessings, we are on our way out of the pits because thanksgiving cancels negativism.
When I awake in the morning knowing that my family members are well and have lived safely through the night I can count enough blessings to keep me positive all day.
Most of us have times ahead in hospital rooms or doctor's waiting rooms. If this is not one of those times, it is a time for thanksgiving, a period to be filled with praise.
Jesus taught His disciples to be thankful for daily bread. If there is food on the table, this is a day for praise ... not pouting.
Roger Campbell is an author, a broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years. He can be reached at rcministry@ameritech.net
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday Albom
Just read Mitch from Sunday and I must say I couldn't agree more!!! Having raised a step-son who is now 21, two girls in the house now (step-daughter -18 and pseudo foster kid – 19) and my two sons who are 11 and 12, I can fully and completely relate to Mr. Albom’s recent article… This is a repost FYI. Do with it what you will. Dap.
Youth On Web: Reason? Who Needs A Reason By Mitch Albom
Published: 12/04/2011 Wait long enough, and a study will be published confirming you were right. So it was this past week when a Pew Research Center project revealed that on any given day, more than half of Americans ages 18-29 go on the Internet for "no particular reason." Aha! I knew it! I have long since believed that going into cyberspace is a mission young people take not to actually land on a planet, but to cruise around the stars until the ship runs out of gas. The study shows that these young people have no purpose with the Web other than "fun," which is why a video of a two drunken Ukrainians can have a gazillion hits. When you're not looking for anything special, the un-special will do just fine. It reminds me of when we were kids, and we came into the house and immediately flipped on the television set. "What are you watching?" our parents asked. "Nothing," we said. "Then why do you have it on?" We had no good answer then, as I suspect kids have no good answer today. Their parents ask, "Why are you on that computer?" And they say, "Uh... what?" Different from TV and radio Now it's true, every generation has its diversions. In the recent Woody Allen movie "Midnight in Paris," the main character thinks life in the 1920s is much more alluring than today, and he gets to go back to that time - only to find a woman who thinks that life in the 1800s is much more alluring then the 1920s. Same thing with diversions. We wonder why our kids are on the computer for so long, our parents wondered why we were addicted to the TV set, their parents wondered why the radio always had to be on, and their parents wondered how the horse got disconnected from the buggy. (OK, I made that last one up. My research doesn't go back that far.) But there is special concern with this new online addiction. No one was a predator on the radio. No one stole your identity through the TV. No one posted anonymous hate mail or vicious rumors through those mediums, nor were they used as a way of communicating with people in lieu of speaking face-to-face. I am not in the 18-29 age group anymore. I barely remember it. But I see so many people of that age drawing all their opinions, news, entertainment and - worst of all - social interaction through a computer screen, that I worry soon the whole world will roll out of bed, plop down and reach for the mouse. That is not how we were meant to live. Just so much online An old teacher of mine once told me he couldn't watch much TV because he found it "physically depressing." Not the programs. The act of sitting and staring at images. He said he felt worn out after a few TV hours, even though he barely moved a muscle. I know what he means. I feel that way after too many hours on the computer. It's a cross between wanting to fly away and not wanting to let go. There's always one more thing to check. One more site to find. One more search to run. It's this yin and yang that are behind the Pew survey, I believe, and I don't think it's getting better. More and more of our lives are online - banking, shopping, problem-solving. And of course, communicating. We're beginning to hear about people texting in their sleep. It makes you wonder how we ever filled up our time before screens or speakers were invented. You know what people did? They talked. They visited. They sat near fires or rocked on porches. They wrote letters. They read quietly. They played with the kids and looked at the stars. You know what we call that today? A vacation. Contact Mitch Albom: 313-223-4581 or malbom@freepress.com. Catch "The Mitch Albom Show" 5-7 p.m. weekdays on WJR-AM (760). Also catch "Monday Sports Albom" 7-8 p.m. Mondays on WJR. To read his recent columns, go to www.freep.com/mitch.
Youth On Web: Reason? Who Needs A Reason By Mitch Albom
Published: 12/04/2011 Wait long enough, and a study will be published confirming you were right. So it was this past week when a Pew Research Center project revealed that on any given day, more than half of Americans ages 18-29 go on the Internet for "no particular reason." Aha! I knew it! I have long since believed that going into cyberspace is a mission young people take not to actually land on a planet, but to cruise around the stars until the ship runs out of gas. The study shows that these young people have no purpose with the Web other than "fun," which is why a video of a two drunken Ukrainians can have a gazillion hits. When you're not looking for anything special, the un-special will do just fine. It reminds me of when we were kids, and we came into the house and immediately flipped on the television set. "What are you watching?" our parents asked. "Nothing," we said. "Then why do you have it on?" We had no good answer then, as I suspect kids have no good answer today. Their parents ask, "Why are you on that computer?" And they say, "Uh... what?" Different from TV and radio Now it's true, every generation has its diversions. In the recent Woody Allen movie "Midnight in Paris," the main character thinks life in the 1920s is much more alluring than today, and he gets to go back to that time - only to find a woman who thinks that life in the 1800s is much more alluring then the 1920s. Same thing with diversions. We wonder why our kids are on the computer for so long, our parents wondered why we were addicted to the TV set, their parents wondered why the radio always had to be on, and their parents wondered how the horse got disconnected from the buggy. (OK, I made that last one up. My research doesn't go back that far.) But there is special concern with this new online addiction. No one was a predator on the radio. No one stole your identity through the TV. No one posted anonymous hate mail or vicious rumors through those mediums, nor were they used as a way of communicating with people in lieu of speaking face-to-face. I am not in the 18-29 age group anymore. I barely remember it. But I see so many people of that age drawing all their opinions, news, entertainment and - worst of all - social interaction through a computer screen, that I worry soon the whole world will roll out of bed, plop down and reach for the mouse. That is not how we were meant to live. Just so much online An old teacher of mine once told me he couldn't watch much TV because he found it "physically depressing." Not the programs. The act of sitting and staring at images. He said he felt worn out after a few TV hours, even though he barely moved a muscle. I know what he means. I feel that way after too many hours on the computer. It's a cross between wanting to fly away and not wanting to let go. There's always one more thing to check. One more site to find. One more search to run. It's this yin and yang that are behind the Pew survey, I believe, and I don't think it's getting better. More and more of our lives are online - banking, shopping, problem-solving. And of course, communicating. We're beginning to hear about people texting in their sleep. It makes you wonder how we ever filled up our time before screens or speakers were invented. You know what people did? They talked. They visited. They sat near fires or rocked on porches. They wrote letters. They read quietly. They played with the kids and looked at the stars. You know what we call that today? A vacation. Contact Mitch Albom: 313-223-4581 or malbom@freepress.com. Catch "The Mitch Albom Show" 5-7 p.m. weekdays on WJR-AM (760). Also catch "Monday Sports Albom" 7-8 p.m. Mondays on WJR. To read his recent columns, go to www.freep.com/mitch.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Eating the Elephant
I originally posted this on November 9, 2009
You have heard the question, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer is, "one bite at a time." This metaphor applies to achieving any big goal, as well. How do you achieve a huge goal? You accomplish it one step, one task, one measure at a time.
When you invest an extra one or two hours per day in self-improvement, the cumulative effect on your greater ability to get results can be extraordinary.
taken from "Time Managment Success" by Brian Tracy International
Glen Beck's Thanksgiving message
This came to my attention the day before Thanksgiving. I read it thru a couple of times and even though the holiday has passed, I think his words still apply today. Now don't get me wrong, I am not a big fan of Beck. I usually dont agree with most of what he says. Sometimes I think there is a nugget worth while. This is one of those... do you agree?
November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
Ok, I promised my wife that I wouldn’t freak out her whole family this Thanksgiving and start talking about all the things going on in the country. But I never said anything about talking to all of you…so brace yourself for my Thanksgiving message.
Ok, yes there are a lot of problems in our country, but today isn’t about bad news. It’s so easy, especially with how things are, to get tunnel vision and focus only on the bad. Politicians have lied to us again and again leading to the highest levels of distrust in history. The economy is a rollercoaster. Friends and family are out of work and the cost of living just seems to get higher and higher. Are you beginning to see why the family put the 'downer' ban on me this year? Life is hard, it’s a struggle - but there's also hope.
There is good news, positive news, and on a day of thanks I think it’s important we talk about those things. Start in your own home. Take a look around and take stock of the things that really matter: Faith. Family. Friends. I’m so excited about Thanksgiving because it gives me time to reconnect with these three critical pieces of my life. While I try and keep things in perspective all year it’s easy to get lost in the bad and forget these three important things.
Faith. Take a moment to look at the role that God plays in your life. I don’t care what church you go to, but I do think that God should be an important piece of everyone’s life. This Thanksgiving, get down on your knees and pray. Invite your family to join you. Turn off the football, step away from the turkey, and give thanks for God’s forgiveness. While in this quiet reflection, take the opportunity to find clarity as well. Now, more than ever, it is important to know what God has planned for you and your life. He did not create you to sit around and eat Doritos all day - so what is it He wants you to do?
Family. Ok, I know not everyone loves being around their relatives during the holidays. You’ve got the crazy uncle telling nonsensical stories or an annoying in-law bugging you about how you’re holding the carving knife the wrong way. Everyone has to deal with this. Just close your eyes, take a breath, and when you open your eyes again realize how much these people shape your life and the lives of those that matter most to you. Your family will be there with you through thick and thin – no matter what happens. No matter how crazy things get during the holidays, know that these are the people that have your back. Step back and enjoy their fellowship during the holidays.
Friends. Anyone else out there have a friend they haven’t spoken to in a while? I know I do. This one may sound a little odd, after all faith and family are easier to reconnect with during the holidays than old friends. But I would ask that you call an old friend that you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Touch base, see how they are. The holidays can be rough, many of us have lost family and are going through tough times. Connect with someone who you haven’t spoken with in a while – you never know the difference you may make in a person’s life with just a phone call.
Faith. Family. Friends. These are the connections that sustain us in our life, no matter what may be going on in the world. I’m going to be announcing some things to help bring us all together over the next year – but the first steps begin at home.
Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!
Laos Deo,
November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
Ok, I promised my wife that I wouldn’t freak out her whole family this Thanksgiving and start talking about all the things going on in the country. But I never said anything about talking to all of you…so brace yourself for my Thanksgiving message.
Ok, yes there are a lot of problems in our country, but today isn’t about bad news. It’s so easy, especially with how things are, to get tunnel vision and focus only on the bad. Politicians have lied to us again and again leading to the highest levels of distrust in history. The economy is a rollercoaster. Friends and family are out of work and the cost of living just seems to get higher and higher. Are you beginning to see why the family put the 'downer' ban on me this year? Life is hard, it’s a struggle - but there's also hope.
There is good news, positive news, and on a day of thanks I think it’s important we talk about those things. Start in your own home. Take a look around and take stock of the things that really matter: Faith. Family. Friends. I’m so excited about Thanksgiving because it gives me time to reconnect with these three critical pieces of my life. While I try and keep things in perspective all year it’s easy to get lost in the bad and forget these three important things.
Faith. Take a moment to look at the role that God plays in your life. I don’t care what church you go to, but I do think that God should be an important piece of everyone’s life. This Thanksgiving, get down on your knees and pray. Invite your family to join you. Turn off the football, step away from the turkey, and give thanks for God’s forgiveness. While in this quiet reflection, take the opportunity to find clarity as well. Now, more than ever, it is important to know what God has planned for you and your life. He did not create you to sit around and eat Doritos all day - so what is it He wants you to do?
Family. Ok, I know not everyone loves being around their relatives during the holidays. You’ve got the crazy uncle telling nonsensical stories or an annoying in-law bugging you about how you’re holding the carving knife the wrong way. Everyone has to deal with this. Just close your eyes, take a breath, and when you open your eyes again realize how much these people shape your life and the lives of those that matter most to you. Your family will be there with you through thick and thin – no matter what happens. No matter how crazy things get during the holidays, know that these are the people that have your back. Step back and enjoy their fellowship during the holidays.
Friends. Anyone else out there have a friend they haven’t spoken to in a while? I know I do. This one may sound a little odd, after all faith and family are easier to reconnect with during the holidays than old friends. But I would ask that you call an old friend that you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Touch base, see how they are. The holidays can be rough, many of us have lost family and are going through tough times. Connect with someone who you haven’t spoken with in a while – you never know the difference you may make in a person’s life with just a phone call.
Faith. Family. Friends. These are the connections that sustain us in our life, no matter what may be going on in the world. I’m going to be announcing some things to help bring us all together over the next year – but the first steps begin at home.
Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!
Laos Deo,
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