Category Archives: Rants

The Multi-Verse Flood of Memories and Thoughts

Charecteristics, Life Notes, Rants, Relationships, , , , ,

Every day, there is “something” that triggers a memory. A memory triggers the “multi-verse” flood of memories and trains of thought. With the memories and thoughts there is the void. The void where someone does not physically occupy any longer. The thoughts of the forced new path now traveled. The heart is flooded with joyful memories, painful memories, the horrid pain of being shattered, the ache of the void. The “multi-verse” of emotions and thoughts come all at once, in a single moment. Grief does not end. Grief does not “go away in time.” Grief is like a new part of your body that you live your life with.

If you do not know what to say to someone who has experienced tremendous grief … Don’t say anything. Being a supporter, helper, FRIEND, is far more than “words“. It is also far more than “deeds“. Being a support includes “just being” there for someone ……..

Sit by the fire. Sip something. Go for a walk with. Go sightseeing with. Watch a movie with. Have dinner with. Avoid getting arrested with (grins). NEVER EVER accuse someone of being WEAK for grieving. NEVER EVER tell someone to “suck it up” when they are grieving. Likewise, do NOT facilitate keeping someone grieving. Help them see they have purpose and value and worth!

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Reality Overload! Brain Dump!

Life Notes, My Life, Rants, Relationships, Struggles, Thought, , , , , , ,

Seven and a half years ago, my wife died. She was one of several people in my life who died within an 11-month period. Life shattering. This totally scrambled my brain. Tore up both mine and our son’s life. I had “friends” and relatives turn on me. We delt with so much crap, including TWO dealings with Children’s Services as results of lies from some controlling/manipulative people.

Over the course of the past 2 years, several people in my life have been affected by COVID-19. I, myself had a (not so) mild case of it. I was actually criticized for saying that I had it. The list of people I know who have died from COVID-19 is ridiculously and painfully long. One of my friends died from COVID … in a hospital room … isolated and alone. And still, countless numbers of idiots continue to harp about the HUMAN DECENCEY of wearing a mask to help REDUCE the spread of the virus.

I have had people who claimed to be friends turn on me. They have made it their mission to spread lies and rumors … all because I caught them in lies. I have cut ties with relatives who do all they can to feed their narcissistic needs. They have sought to spread rumors and sow seeds of deceit and distrust because I would not cater to their whims.

I have fought hard for the well-being of my son. Along the way, people whom I trusted for support proceeded to introduce my son to harmful, health undermining things. Some of these people were “fellow church members” as well. I have sacrificed much to do my best to keep my son safe and help to ensure that he has a good future.

The board of my college alma mater has made a foolish decision to eliminate the Theater Program. This program has been a part of the institution for a century. I spent countless hours of my life involved with this program, even when I was NOT a student. Many people I now call “Friend” I met because of my involvement with the Theater Program. The board made no attempts to seek input from the staff or alumni before they made their decision. I am not surprised they did this. I expected it long ago, actually. Since I started my life at Union University in Fall of 1990, I have seen several “promises” to improve the Theater Program quietly swept away. Promises would be made, then funds would be diverted to other projects. Most often, the Sports Department got the funds. The Sports Department has long been favored. Being a High-Profile source of income for the institution, the Sports Department gets what it wants.

Right now, there is a war in Ukraine. The Russian dictator claims he is “de-Nazifying” the Ukraine. Homes, apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, churches, and cultural centers are his targets. All the while, he insists his troops are only targeting military installations. All the while, countless families are displaced … countless lives are shattered.

I have a friend who just got married in the Ukraine … just a few weeks ago … just prior to the Russian attacks. The very church he was married in is now a shelter for refugees. In Romania, I have friends who are coordinating efforts to build a small “village” of sorts for Ukrainian refugees. I just watched a live video of the progress of their efforts. They hope to provide housing for 25 families. That is a tremendous effort. I have other friends who are involved in the larger effort of overseeing refugee coordination of ALL the surrounding countries. I have acquaintances who either are from or family of people from Ukraine. These families are scrambling to contact their families in the Ukraine.

Yesterday, a friend of mine who lives in Texas messaged me. She and her husband had taken her father to the doctor for a checkup. While they were away from home, they got word that wildfires were ragging toward their home. Their children were at home with their pets. The children were told to evacuate by local authorities. Thankfully, one of them had a learners permit (aka .. just learning to drive). They were able to evacuate safely. Within a few hours, the fire had totally leveled their whole community. Today, they have a pile of ashes where their home stood yesterday.

This is only a few things on my mind right now.

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I Am Not Surprised

Rants, Thought, , , , , ,

I am not surprised that an extreme number of Americans are upset about the price of gas. They want to blame the current President for the price hike. They ignore the reality of the war taking place in the Ukraine. They declare “it’s not my war.” They overlook the thousands of lives being displaced from their homes because of the war.

I am not surprised that an insane number of Americans are upset about the price of gas. They BLAME a person who does not control the world oil prices. They ignore the reality of what exists in this country. On any given night, hundreds of thousands of people are homeless in the United States. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.

I am not surprised that the current gas price hike is THE issue for countless Americans. Greed and Self-centeredness are priority in our nation. The welfare of our nation AS A WHOLE is only important IF the individual benefits from the actions taken. We are far from a “Christian Nation”.

  • Being CHRIST-like involves being humbling yourself. YOU are NOT the center of the universe.
  • Being CHIRST-like involves being kind.
  • Being CHRIST-like involves giving thanks DURING trials. Be thankful you have a home, and food, and …
  • Being CHRIST-like involves being GROUNDED in The WORD. Choose wisely who you go to for advice.
  • Being CHRIST-like involves living outside your comfort zone. How many times did JESUS sleep outside on the ground? How many homes did JESUS own? How much money did JESUS make?

I will conclude with this old phrase, “actions speak louder than words.”

Statistics (ncadv.org)
CDC – Homelessness as a Public Health Law Issue – Publications by Topic – Public Health Law
10 Ways to Be More Like Christ

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About Testing GOD

Bible Study, Rants, Thought, , , , ,

I have read many comments and accounts of … heard numerous people insist that … we should NOT LIVE IN FEAR AND TRUST GOD with regards to COVID. This is followed by them insisting that wearing a mask is “restricting their rights” and that getting the vaccine is “succumbing to the beast” …

I could go into depth regarding the NEED and BENEFIFTS of wearing masks, social distancing, washing of hands (seriously, this is still an issue after centuries), and being vaccinated … however, I won’t.

I am going to address the “Testing of GOD” part.

The people following Moses in along gives us several scriptures regarding the people ‘testing GOD’ in one way or another. (Exodus 15:25; 17:1-7; Numbers 14:22; Deuteronomy 6:16; 9:22) The Book of Psalms references numerous occasions as well (78:18,41,56; 95:8-9; 106:14).

God repeatedly reminded the people to NOT TEST HIM. Yet, they continued to do so. They wailed and whined and complained about what they were having to endure. They wanted GOD to “take care of it” … remove the problem or provide a relief … The New Testament … the time OF and AFTER Jesus walked this earth, there are still more accounts of the people TESTING GOD.

There was that one time when GOD said he would flood the earth. GOD provided a way to survive. Noah told people what was going to happen. The people mocked Noah for his ridiculous notions and foolishness for building a boat in the desert. They refused to believe that getting on that boat would save their lives.

I wonder how many people who refuse to wear a mask, refuse to take proper precautions, refuse to get the vaccine, refuse to think of others … I wonder how many of these people have taken a pain reliever, an allergy med, used cough syrup, been to a medical professional for any reason …

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