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| I wrote a few days ago about Should a Christian Psychologist be Afraid... I was hoping to get more response by now. But, as it were, I did get some.
I think that we as believers in salvation provided through Jesus Christ as God's Son, received by faith, have all too often been silent about the demands of salvation. There are requirements. There are demands. Yes, there is suffering at times. Yes, there is going to be hatred and cursing directed at us. Why? Because we are God's servants and the world does not know HIM.
I think we need to be very sure that we do know God, and that we are living our lives for Him. There will be times when it is best to keep silent, and listen, and carefully, quietly answer the person who doubts God's goodness. But all too often, I think we are silent in the areas that make a difference in daily life, and we need to speak up, and not be so concerned about what other people think.
That is why I wish people would use a little more sense in thinking when they criticize a Jim Dobson, a music artist, or any preacher who says something you disagree with, or does an action you feel is not quite right. Judge, within yourself, whether YOU have the witness to this being right for you, and then pray for that person if you think they are wrong. Open up your heart to know what God says. Many times you will hear Him say, "that's okay. I love him."
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| A recent Blog was featured around the retirement of Dr. James Dobson, and his soon departure from his daily broadcast. I think the title was, "Farewell, Dr. Dobson". I was amazed by some of the really critical comments. Some even accusing him of being unChristian. Interesting, since I think I have followed him during his entire broadcast career. My own opinion is that someone did not like the message, so they attacked the messenger.
I think that there is room for someone to pick at a fault. Dr. Dobson has dismissed, or had replaced, co-hosts twice because of immorality or other offense. Both times, nothing was officially said, and the information came out via other means, including a lawsuit filed by the first one. My question is: should a Christian Psychologist be Afraid to take what ever action is necessary to uphold the standards by which they are living their own life?
If Dr. Dobson has sounded unloving, it has been on issues where a choice is being made, and the sinner refuses to give up their error.
Which leads to another question: Can we respect the right of any Christian leader to publicly endorse a political candidate for elective office? Since 1954 there has been this rule in the IRS code against churches exercising political lobbying, if they desired to maintain tax-exempt status. That rule was never supposed to apply to a person's right to express their opinion as an individual. Sometimes that right has been misinterpreted. So, what do others think?
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| This has been a busy week, and next week also will be busy. I think that Mary worked every day this week except Sunday, and has tomorrow (a Sunday) off, and is back to work Monday. At least she does get Thanksgiving off, and we will get to be with family.
A former co-worker of Mary's is homeless, and moved in to stay for a month, this past Monday. What with Mary returning from giving love (and receiving love from) the granddaughters, late on Sunday, this has proven to be a busy week, and I am tired  . Just want to crawl into bed and pull the covers up. Instead, I will go participate in a church service in two hours, and then do cleaning, and out to get Mary from work at 10:30. Busy, busy, busy.
Do your weeks ever feel like they will never end? I always keep in mind that it may be...(fill in the blank), but Sunday is coming! I appreciate getting to go to the church. It is not running as well as I would like right now, but I have hopes of it improving soon. I know that there are a number of us making prayer a priority, and are faithfully serving in leadership positions. It has to turn around.
I think that is what makes a difference in my outlook, from the outlook of some of my friends here: I try to see the end result, and even though I am tired, I know it is worth it. This month three of my older siblings have their birthdays. They are all in their 70s. That seems so old. But thank God they are still alive, and in relatively good shape. I do have time to look forward to.
But, this afternoon I attended a Memorial Service for one of our male nurses at the Rest Home. Only 49 years old, he died of cancer last Monday. I got news on Thursday that our former Executive Director for OSEA, and past President, John Brown passed away on Tuesday at age 88. So, we do not know how long any of us will live. Therefore, we all need to be sure we are ready to go on to a better existence. I believe you prepare, here. Others may not. To each their own (but I'm still going to try to persuade you  ). That is it for this quiet Saturday.
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| The craziest Christmas for us was the year we decided to spend Christmas alone, in a cottage in Lincoln City. Just Mary and me and our two teenage children, in the cottage owned by family friends. We had a donated AMC car that friends gave us when we moved out to "Boring", OR. We only had the Dodge Colt then, and I worked 15 miles away, and did not want to leave my wife without a car. We were home-schooling, so there was no concern about the children's education. But, we needed to make sure that she had a way to come in to church a couple evenings per week, and this car was the answer. Shortly after we moved out there, the Colt threw a rod and had to be put out of its misery.
So, here we were in our little AMC car, moving along after enjoying the day before with family on the northwest coafst of Oregon. It started to send down icy rain. The car slid. We moved on, but soon realized we had a mechanical problem. We pulled in at Tillamook, at a cozy little motel. That evening, as we prepared to open gifts, we fixed a simple dinner of hotdogs and mac and cheese. We used the fry pan for the mac and cheese, and boiled the hotdogs in the teapot. We had a laughing good time, and the next day got the car repaired, and headed home, stopping at the Mall to do a special purchase of Christmas gifts. The kids still talk about that Christmas as one of the funnest, craziest they ever spent at home.
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| I've written that I don't want us to have a National Health Care program. I do believe that we have a superior system now that meets the needs, and people are free to choose the level of coverage they have. I would rather not see this "applecart" upset by the insurance companies being priced out of competition, and the choices available being limited for us. We will have less opportunity to choose what medical procedures to go through and how much it costs, if Congress has its way. Last Saturday, the people's House of Representatives passed their version of Health Care Reform. I think it is a mistake 
I am not as physically strong, and well, now as I was three years ago. About 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with Glaucoma, High Cholesterol, and something else. I walk with a limp now, because of arthritis in my knees, and my right hip, and the right knee surgery, one year ago, left me with less cushion on the knee joint. I have pain at the site of the surgery  . i do no understand why. I cannot run, and yet I used to walk to work, or drive, then run across the playground yard to unlock the gate on the other side of the field. Can't do it now. Luckily, my boss now does the task, as I was reduced in hours at work. I depended a lot on physical activity to help me maintain my weight, so I am trying to work physical activity into my non-work hours. Fortunately I am not gaining weight--yet I would like to lose 20 pounds. It will happen, but it is taking time.
Is having pain, and more physical problems inevitable as we get older? I'm setting a goal to run on my 58th birthday.
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