blog 2 life

Goodmorning…I used to be one of you. I know how you think and the Biblical brainwashing you have been through that makes you think the way you do about world events, Biblical prophecy, the Second Coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of God on earth. I know how ministers and pastors, most well meaning, but full of sanctified ignorance and misunderstanding of the intent, origins, errancy and the historical inaccuracies of much we read in the Bible, have filled your minds with misguided zeal. I know how you read and understand the prophecies of the four kingdoms of Daniel and the dreams of Nebuaccanezzar, King of Babylon. I doubt you know they were written after the fact and not prophetically.

I know how you read Daniel 11 and 12 as just how things will be “in the end times.” I know how some of you think “a thousand will fall at your right side, and ten thousand at your left, but it will not come nigh unto your dwelling.” I know how you read Matthew 24. I know some of you think that you will be “born up on eagles wings” and taken to a “place of safety,” maybe in Petra, Jordan to wait out the end time carnage that you see in the Trumpets, Vials, plagues and Horsemen of Revelation. Some of you have already left and some left years ago, only to return and get back to work.

I know you read the Book of Revelation as if it was a newspaper and see these times as those times and that book as revealing all that is about to happen so Jesus can return. I know you have forgotten that 2000 years ago the opening of the Revelation says “to show unto my servants, things which must SHORTLY, come to pass.” I know that you view “shortly” differently than most people understand “shortly.” I know some of you think you are part of the exclusive 144,000 thousand. I know you don’t understand Gematria or the 12 signs of the Zodiac but I spare you.

I know that even though you know Paul said Jesus for sure would come in his lifetime, and that he was among the “We, who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall be caught up together with the Lord, and WE shall be saved,” was wrong. I know you know that later in his life, Paul gave up on Jesus coming for him in his lifetime and said that he had fought a good fight, kept the faith and would have to settle for a crown of righteousness that he’d get later, but not soon anymore. I know you know that Paul motivated the church to not marry the loves of their lives, give lots of money to the church and be ready to go at a moments notice, in vain. I always wonder about the people who believe what Paul said about the times being short and it being better to not marry and be like him. Did they get really bitter when their lives passed and Jesus didn’t return, nor did they get to be intimate with the ones they loved because Paul said not to? I bet they did anyway, just like today in all churches who try to regulate relationships. The minister gets to rant about such things, but most just sneak around and do what they want anyway. You can thank Paul and his misquided view of the immediacy of Jesus return in HIS lifetime for the skepticism of most.

I know that you know Jesus said in Matthew 24 that “this generation shall not a pass until all these things be fulfilled” and that since we now know it was not the generation of Jesus this happened for, Jesus was not ill informed, but rather meant that the generation that these things happened in, would see it through. This allows your pastor to motivate you by drawing your attention to all that is happening in your world as proof of this being all about YOU. That’s the apologetic, but that is not what Jesus, who was mistaken about this meant, when he is aleged to have said it. I know that you know “no man knows the day or the hour, but the Father only,” but choose to ignore that and predict, predict, predict to put fear, fear, fear, into each other. Or as one said, “Just because we don’t know the day or the hour doesn’t mean we can’t know the month or the year.” Right… I know your ministers tell you that Jesus will return in 3 or 5 or not more than 10 years, and they are wrong, but hopeful and of course, the fear and hope of it keeps you in your seats and giving the bucks.

I know that the gayness of some people, the lack of belief of others, the movies, TV and all the events going on in the Middle East are proof that you won’t have to wait much longer for Jesus. Little does the Pastor know that out of every 100 members of his church, about 10 are going to be gay by nature and that the same would be true for the 100 of the clergy he got together with at his last ministerial conference where they condemned it. I know you know that all fundamentalist college campuses have a normal number of gay students in attendance. Or maybe you don’t. I know they are in denial on this topic but I spare you. Oh, and this would include the faculty of course.

I know you believe the nation of Israel is the most special of God’s holy nations and that as one man said to me, “anyone who picks on Israel, is challenging God himself.” I know you don’t believe that anyone who picks on Afghanistan is picking on God. I have to say that meme has gone a long way to insure the safety of that small rather troublesome piece of the planet. The tales of the Old Testament have insured that the rules and ways of an obscure deity, on an obscure mountain, in an obscure land, speaking to an obscure people about obscure and dictatorial and controlling obcure practices, are relevant to today. They mostly aren’t. My experience is that when a nation, government, president, church or group “can do no wrong,” wrong is all they get good at. I know you know that too but don’t apply it to the group you associate with. You should.

I know you are told you are special and that others are not. I know that you are told you are chosen and called, while others are not chosen and not called. I know you believe you have special saving knowledge while others are lost. I know you are told that you are true and others false. I know you are led to believe that your thinking is correct on all topics biblical and prophectic and all others are wrong. I know you can’t imagine you are wrong about a hundred biblical ideas and speculations, but you are. I know you think that this President was put in power by God himself but I am not sure that you know that even he says he hears the voice of God, which is why he went to war. I know when others hear the voice of God in your local congregation, you marginalize them and think they are weird and strange or may need help. But on a national scale, you seem to accept the voice of God in the heads of men who can start a war that leads to everything BUT the Second Coming. I know you can’t imagine having to clean up after such a mistake because I know you can’t imagine any biblical or prophetic mistakes being made. But they are being made big time and cleaning up after the shit hits the fan, may be all you get to do, and of course, ask the pastor what went wrong and where is Jesus? Oh, you’ll also get to ask why you can’t afford to live and why your job ended and you lost everything you worked hard for. You’ll also learn the church won’t be able to help you much then, and no, you can’t have any of your tithe money back to get back on your feet. That was money you gave to God and he has already spent it. I know you don’t know that 100% of all endtime prophecies made by fundamentalist and evangelical TV Preechers, have failed miserably. I know…just around the corner.

I know you are afraid to die personally just as every human being before you has. I know you, like Paul, prefer to be “changed,” at the sound of the trumpet and not die at all. After all, Paul said “we would not all die.” I am not sure you realize he had to retract that later in life.

I know how you feel about “God’s Law” and how much better off we’d all be if we kept “it.” But I also know you aren’t real sure which ones to keep. Sabbath over Sunday? Passover over Easter? Holydays over holidays? I know some think parents should still get to stone rebellious children. I know you are nuts if you think that. I know you that “God’s Law” means different things to differrent people and I know that you tend to confuse what to keep from the Old Testament nation of Israel and drag it over into the New and the Church. Well except tithing of course. I know how you think we are all spiritual Israelites, but how would you feel if someone kept calling you a spiritual Zulu in order to be saved? How about a Spiritual Sioux? Actually I’d love that but that’s my preference.

I also know, because I was one of you, that you don’t know near as much as you think you know. You’re knowing is, at times, wishful thinking, or sanctified ignorance based on the sole fact that it’s what you have always been taught. I know that learning new perspectives is not something you are encouraged to do. I know that admitting you are wrong is not something you are often able to do. When science makes a mistake, it admits it and uses whatever information was good for future studies. When religion and churches make mistakes, they kill the people who point it out. That’s how it goes.

But I also know that over zealous pastors and fundamentalists need to be cautioned about your zealotry gone wrong. Zealous and sanctified ignorance can provoke all the Vials, Trumpets, Trombones and Beasts of Revelation and you will get everything promoted in the Book of Revelation EXCEPT the Second Coming. What you will get is one big mess to clean up, if you survive along with the rest of us. You’ll get a place in history as the reason why the next generation wants nothing to do with organized religion or ministers and pastors who can’t admit they are wrong and it’s not all about them after all. You’ll reap a whirlwind but not Kingdom of God to bale you out.

While the President may or may not have said, “God told me to strike at Sadaam and I did…”, it has never in the history of the planet worked out well when society has let religion call the shots as to what is and what isn’t. I know you know that. I just hope you will think long and hard about the chaos fundamentalism of any kind, Islamic or Christian can bring to the lives of well meaning humans who simply want to be left alone to live, learn and love without the drama of religious ignorance.

Teresa Richard has been on television news several times and will probably be on many more. Richard’s son is in the military and serving in Afghanistan. She flies the American flag in honor of her son and thousands of others in military service. The flag, which Richard can see from her kitchen window, is a visible reminder of her son.

“It’s a connection to Tony,” she said.

But her Condo Association says the flag violates its “common rules” and has ordered Richard to take it down, along with the pole, after Labor Day. If Richard does not comply the Condo Association will levy a $25 per day fine against Richard. The Condo Association also thought the flag was too large, so the Veterans of Foreign Wars bought Richard a smaller one. That flag was also too large, according to the Condo Association, and Richard had to buy a third flag.

Only those who currently have loved ones in the military, or loved ones who served before, understand Richard’s connection to the flag. I understand because I was an Air Force wife for more than 20 years. My husband, a flight surgeon, went to Vietnam once to follow the medical evacuation system and a second time as commander of a U.S. Air Force Hospital in Pleiku. I watched the evening news faithfully and Pleiku was often in the news. Indeed, it was attacked.

It was a hard year. Our daughters were young then, ages two and four, and I had to be both mother and father to them. Every morning I awakened with a feeling of dread. Would my husband come home alive? Would this be the day I received the phone call? Years later, I realize that I was going through anticipatory grief — a feeling of loss before a death or dreaded event occurs.

Though she may not recognize it, Teresa Richard is going through anticipatory grief. Seeing the flag from her window is reassuring and helps her to cope with her feelings. When Teresa and her son talk Tony asks, “Is my flag still flying?” The Condo Association members could show more compassion, it seems to me. They should be proud of a mother and son who care enough about their country to fly the flag that symbolizes it.

Teresa Richard deserves to fly the American flag “in the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance nonfiction writer for 28 years. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Her 24th book, “Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief,” written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com A five-star of the book, which contains a chapter on the anticipatory grief of terrorism, is posted on Amazon.

As I write this article the headlines in the paper are screaming bad news. Oil is up to $147, then down to $115, war in Afghanistan, Russia, your backyard wherever threatens us. Hurricanes, earthquakes and tidal waves all add to the turmoil. South American and Middle Eastern leaders turn on and off the oil tap at their whim, playing with the economy as they would a spoiled child. Healthcare is bankrupt, layoffs are eminent. Riots erupt in protest for cheaper medicines. Food prices are soaring as we turn to making bio-fuels because our planet is dying; global warming is cooking the penguins alive - but no-one will eat them because they’re all vegetarians.

America slips into a recession, or a depression if you’re feeling especially gloomy. The U.S. housing market is so bad that bankers in Detroit can barely give a house a way for a dollar- then when they finally do, half of the derelict property has been stolen; metals melted down for money, wood burned for fuel…

It is enough to make you scared isn’t it? There is a lot more to be pessimistic about too, especially if you watch TV or read the papers regularly. But, that’s not the only story. As overwhelming as it all seems sometimes, it’s not so bad.

One of the scariest things I see people doing these days is sitting on their money, frozen in fear. Afraid to lose their fragile nest egg by making a bad investment all the while it erodes away, slipping into the hungry mouth of inflation.

Internal Fear and External Fear

We are born with only 2 fears in our inherent make up; the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Their purpose is to keep you alive by alerting you to danger. All other fears are learned. Fear is often connected to pain e.g. some fear heights because if they fall, they may suffer severe injury or even die upon landing.Ok, so you’re not about to get your leg torn off by a rouge shark and bleed to death on a nameless beach in the tropics. But, we’ve established that there are a lot of scary things going on in the world today; not surprisingly, there always have been and always will be. Now, let’s break down a few of these fears in relation to investing.

3:AM-Keep-You-Up-at-Night-Pain-in-the Gut-Fears:

MONEY

¢ Losing all your money -Becoming destitute or at least losing what you’ve built up

¢ Not having enough money to invest- Scarcity, afraid that you can’t get started

¢ Not being able to enjoy retirement -Having to eat cat food not only for breakfast, but also for dinner

¢ Rising health costs -Can’t afford to go to the doctor

¢ Stock or Real Estate crash -Have all your savings wiped away

¢ Losing your money -Being taken advantage of by a smooth criminal

¢ Inflation -Rising costs and taxes are pretty much inevitable

KNOWLEDGE AND EMOTION

¢ Fear of not knowing enough -Afraid you’ll make the ‘wrong’ choice so you do nothing

¢ Fear of taking action -Scared if you do, scared if you don’t

¢ Fear of failure- your friends, family and maybe even you will see yourself as a loser if you don’t make it

¢ Fear of the market- the economy is awful right now, how can I ever expect to make a profit? A.K.A ‘I don’t know the market well enough’, ‘I’ll buy at the bottom’

SUCCESS

¢ Fear of succeeding- Fear that you will accomplish all that you set out to, but that you still won’t be happy, content, or satisfied once you reach your goal

¢ Fear of losing what you created- your accomplishments can self-destruct at anytime.

F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real

Here are some strategies to rid out the fear in your life.

#1 Distinct Advantage - Get Educated

The best thing to do in today’s market is to learn how to take advantage of it. Not everyone around you is losing money and if they are - run far away from them. Get online and search for an investment book that focuses on the fundamentals of investing. You don’t need to buy an expensive kit or attend a $10,000 seminar. You must surround yourself with a knowledgeable team and follow a proven system.

The most important key to investing in real estate now is to target your area and invest where the economic fundamentals are strong. Buy for cash flow in a city with a strong future and hold for the long term. Find someone who has a proven track record of investing in real estate and ask them how they do it. Listen, write it down and do it.

Other options include investing with Joint Venture Partners and investing in REITs. Often teaming up with a company or individual who knows the market can leverage your time and knowledge further, faster. Always do your due diligence on the person and the properties.

For detailed strategies of how to find the right property and choose the right area, visit glennsimoninc.com and go to ‘About Us - Media Coverage’ to read the How To Articles.

#2 Essential Step - Get Into Action

Many folks get stuck before they start in the analysis-paralysis stage. Don’t let that person be you. No one ever bought a property they didn’t make an offer on! Most importantly set a time to get into action, i.e. within the next 60 days, after reading 2 books and contacting 2 investment professionals etc. Set a time and DO IT! There are a million coulda, woulda shouldas out there that spend their time pontificating about the market or why things won’t work out. Shut out these negatrons or risk being pulled out by the tide of mediocrity.

#3 Crucial Follow Up - Make a plan and work it!

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy” Dale Carnegie

Make your plan and work back from it. First a 5 year plan, then break it down to 1 Year, then 1 month and then one day - today. These are your baby steps towards running.

I didn’t say all this was going to be a walk in the park. In an upbeat market, there is less to fear. In an unstable market your biggest obstacle is also your greatest advantage - your mindset. Once you have adjusted your mind for success this new psychology will take over and guide you. Every supposed failure holds a success within it, as long as you learn from it. The better educated you are, the easier it is to identify potential risks and take advantage of opportunities and by doing that you’ll lead a happier and more relaxed life.

Todd Millar specializes in Joint Venture Real Estate Investments in the Edmonton and Alberta areas of Canada.

He is a REIN GOLD member whose investment style is based on studying economic fundamentals, population growth, unemployment statistics and positive business climate trends.

He writes a monthly newsletter that focuses on investing in Alberta Real Estate and hosts investment tours throughout Alberta. Todd and his team excel at providing profitable, secure and hands free property for investors around the world

“Commitment is just that: commitment; for better or for worse.”

Our commitment level in many arenas is being tested - none more so than in our military marriages. While the Army can proudly claim that they have fewer divorces than their counterparts in the civilian world, this claim is quickly being challenged by the record number of married warriors returning with injuries. Many of the injuries, outside of TBI and PTSD, have resulted in disfigurement, loss of limbs and a weak emotional state that often lead to strained and dissolved marriages. Many military marriages aren’t prepared - and didn’t prepare on the front end - to deal with this change in their marriage dynamic. The sad fact is that when you walk the halls of the recovery hospitals it isn’t too uncommon to hear stories of recovering service members being faced with his/her spouse leaving the marriage.

So how does one plan for the unthinkable? How are couples expected to keep that commitment even through the “for worse” times when the level of support, especially for Reserve and Guard families seems to be non-existent?

I presented Brian and Jody, who experienced many challenges throughout Brian’s deployment to Afghanistan, this very question and their answer boiled down into what seemed a Polly-Anna pep answer, “You hold on to the vision - that perfect, romantic marriage picture in your head that first brought you together - and you focus on that.” Say what you will, but there is tremendous power in going back to the core or root of why you got married in the first place.

It is absolutely no secret that marriage is tough. As Army Chaplain Ken Alford shared, “marriages face challenges that have nothing to do with deployment.” We all experience the days when we think the “grass is greener” and that to re-experience the “young and single, love to mingle” stage of our life would be awesome. This might seem even more tempting when our spouse has faced a life changing injury or some form of depression. The truth is that every study known to man on happiness just doesn’t support this train of thought.

Despite long deployments or injuries, there are several steps you can implement that will aid you in your journey to keeping your marriage strong:

1. Find a couple whom you and your spouse respect and find out what they do to have the relationship they have.

2. Identify common goals you want to achieve as a couple. If you or your spouse is injured, discuss how your injury will affect achieving this goal and then determine how you can support each other in attaining the goal.

3. Consider reading Dr. Bridgett Cantrell’s book “Down Range: To Iraq and Back” or visit her website: www.heartstowardhome.com

Bottom line? Fight to make the marriage work. Seek out a marriage coach if needed and just know that many couples, despite injury and months of separation have successfully found ways to readjust and reunite their love.To learn more: visit: www.operationmilitaryfamily.org

Mike Schindler is the CEO for a web-based marketing firm, developing subscriber bases for some of the top Fortune 500 companies. He is also the founder of Operation Military Family - a company committed to raising the awareness of what resources, programs and tools are made available to our service members and families. OMF drives funds from book sales and speaking engagements back into military marriage related programs and the Veterans Family Fund. More information can be found at http://www.operationmilitaryfamily.org/