This morning the sadness of meaningless pursuits in life presses down on my heart. That is...the meaningless of life without pursuing Christ's reign in all things for God's glory. Although I feel a certain heaviness this morning, the truth is Christ is all. I don't despair this morning but resolve once again to not waste my life (watch video below.) Christ have mercy. I need to change and grow some more. Burn the ships.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
A Sermon for Joy in Christ
Tim Porter, Pastor at Faith Community Church in Hudson, WI preached an outstanding sermon on John 16:16-33 last Sunday.
If you suffer with hopelessness, the heart issue of all joylessness, or know someone who does, then please set aside a half hour to listen to this sermon. This is a sermon of real hope. Click here.
If you suffer with hopelessness, the heart issue of all joylessness, or know someone who does, then please set aside a half hour to listen to this sermon. This is a sermon of real hope. Click here.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
I tired another personal natural health experiement
Today if I went to the medical doctor I probably would come home with an antibiotic prescription to wipe out the "possible" strep throat infection I "may" have. Although I feel like I swallowed two golf balls and they both have lodged side-by-side right at the point of my adams apple, I have been experimenting (once again) with natural remedies. I don't feel bad enough yet to jump on the antibiotic bandwagon once again and my high deductible health insurance motivates me to seek lower cost means of taking care of my body. Also, I don't believe I am infectious because I don't believe strep has fully developed (ya'know that sense you have when things get really bad?)
For the last three days I have been gargling with Luke Warm Water mixed with Cayenne Pepper. I am finding it to be effective. My throat is not as sore throughout the day and when the soreness does come around, I gargle and then it is gone.
Here is how the potion works. Simply...immediately after the gargle you forget about the pain in your throat because all of your senses are focused on how burning hot your lips are. Your thoughts change as well to finding gobs of paper towel to wipe up to gallons of drool that won't stop gushing. You even get to focus on what shirt you'll change into that might hide the drool better. This reminds me of a time in middle school I approached my teacher to tell him I had a headache. He offered a cure but asked me permission first. I agreed. He then slugged me in the arm and said "Now you don't have a headache, you have an armache."
Seriously though...it does work I am happy to report. All fun aside I believe I have saved time and money by treating myself.
For the last three days I have been gargling with Luke Warm Water mixed with Cayenne Pepper. I am finding it to be effective. My throat is not as sore throughout the day and when the soreness does come around, I gargle and then it is gone.
Here is how the potion works. Simply...immediately after the gargle you forget about the pain in your throat because all of your senses are focused on how burning hot your lips are. Your thoughts change as well to finding gobs of paper towel to wipe up to gallons of drool that won't stop gushing. You even get to focus on what shirt you'll change into that might hide the drool better. This reminds me of a time in middle school I approached my teacher to tell him I had a headache. He offered a cure but asked me permission first. I agreed. He then slugged me in the arm and said "Now you don't have a headache, you have an armache."
Seriously though...it does work I am happy to report. All fun aside I believe I have saved time and money by treating myself.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Do you own something I can sell?
My mother can sketch a good picture. I can scratch out slightly above average images. My oldest son and daughter seem to have the artistic nack as well. Creative artistry apparently runs in my family. But, recently someone took the initiative to declare my children's art above average. In fact, a significant label was attached that sets it higher than above average. When your artwork is worthy of someone else exchanging money for it, you've reached the rank of Professional.
Recently my children brought home some artwork that was re manufactured in to a magnet. Wonderful stuff. My son sketched a very colorful bird. My daughter gave her impression of our family pet (the fat cat) when he is happy and playful. I was delighted.
Where do magnets go of this caliber? On the refrigerator of course. On my approach to the fridge my wife suddenly stopped me and told me I had to pay for the artwork. $5.50 per magnet. If I didn't want to pay I had to return the artwork by Monday.
What? Who says?
The parent group for the school my children attend had the children create this great artwork to be re manufactured into anything saleable like magnets, t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. A fund raiser. If I didn't want to buy an item I wouldn't see the original art work. I guess my children gave up their right to it when they agreed to participate.
Can this be true? My children are now professional artists. At least thats what someone else thinks. But where does the money go? What is my children's take? Where is the contract? Do my children understand they sold out? Does our family get a tax break?
Of course I am not serious. I understand it is a fund raiser for a good cause. I don't get it though. I want the original artwork. I don't want to be manipulated into paying for my children's artwork. I also don't want someone else paying for it.
This fund raising approach seems to have violated many principles. There is something not right about it. Do you understand what I am saying? Can you hear me?
Recently my children brought home some artwork that was re manufactured in to a magnet. Wonderful stuff. My son sketched a very colorful bird. My daughter gave her impression of our family pet (the fat cat) when he is happy and playful. I was delighted.
Where do magnets go of this caliber? On the refrigerator of course. On my approach to the fridge my wife suddenly stopped me and told me I had to pay for the artwork. $5.50 per magnet. If I didn't want to pay I had to return the artwork by Monday.
What? Who says?
The parent group for the school my children attend had the children create this great artwork to be re manufactured into anything saleable like magnets, t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. A fund raiser. If I didn't want to buy an item I wouldn't see the original art work. I guess my children gave up their right to it when they agreed to participate.
Can this be true? My children are now professional artists. At least thats what someone else thinks. But where does the money go? What is my children's take? Where is the contract? Do my children understand they sold out? Does our family get a tax break?
Of course I am not serious. I understand it is a fund raiser for a good cause. I don't get it though. I want the original artwork. I don't want to be manipulated into paying for my children's artwork. I also don't want someone else paying for it.
This fund raising approach seems to have violated many principles. There is something not right about it. Do you understand what I am saying? Can you hear me?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Sin Is On My Mind
I've been thinking much about sin lately. My horror of it. The strength of it over me. My wicked fondness of it. Its means and ultimate end of me if I let it have its way. My hatred of it. My enslavement to it. Sin is as much about law-making as it is about law-breaking. I must kill it! But I always see my King, The Redeemer, Jesus! If "they" ever find the his bones, have great pity on me.Please consider a couple of fantastic blog posts that I've been pondering over the last week or so:
Psalm 51: Sin; It's Everywhere, It's Everywhere! - great quotes about sin!
Explaining Sin In A Way That Makes Sense, part I
Explaining Sin In A Way That Makes Sense, part II
(be sure to read the comments)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Not So Curiously Strong
Right now I have a sinus cold strong enough to totally block the strongness of Altoids. Totally. No taste at all! None! Also, I've never in my life had a cold that causes my nose to drip constantly. If I wanted to I could blow bubbles like my little Timmers. (I am really sorry about that word picture Kristi.)
Life the Last Few Days
- Saturday was the high point. I spent the whole day alone with my wife. Wonderful!
- Sunday my daughter nailed me in my manly area with a snowball, iceball, rock...whatever it was, at pointblank range. During our snowball fight she approached me for a hug, I thought. I let my guard down and she unloaded. I am still a little sore today.
- Monday morning my cold hits full force with sinus pressure and a headache.
- Monday morning failed to love my wife and really listen to her.
- Monday morning I discover the clothes dryer has no heat.
- Monday morning while trying to troubleshoot the dryer I am overcome by cleansing sensations I should have had two weeks ago.
- Monday morning can't find any tools and get mad at myself for how unorganized I am.
- Monday morning get to work a 1/2 hour later than planned.
- Monday suffer all day with cold.
- Monday night cough and sneeze and discover intense pain between shoulder blades.
- Tuesday just gettin' by.
It is obvious I don't have much time to blog about anything serious these days.
Life the Last Few Days
- Saturday was the high point. I spent the whole day alone with my wife. Wonderful!
- Sunday my daughter nailed me in my manly area with a snowball, iceball, rock...whatever it was, at pointblank range. During our snowball fight she approached me for a hug, I thought. I let my guard down and she unloaded. I am still a little sore today.
- Monday morning my cold hits full force with sinus pressure and a headache.
- Monday morning failed to love my wife and really listen to her.
- Monday morning I discover the clothes dryer has no heat.
- Monday morning while trying to troubleshoot the dryer I am overcome by cleansing sensations I should have had two weeks ago.
- Monday morning can't find any tools and get mad at myself for how unorganized I am.
- Monday morning get to work a 1/2 hour later than planned.
- Monday suffer all day with cold.
- Monday night cough and sneeze and discover intense pain between shoulder blades.
- Tuesday just gettin' by.
It is obvious I don't have much time to blog about anything serious these days.
Friday, March 09, 2007
You See, Sometimes It's True. Things Could Be Worse.
How many times have you read about my adherence to pithy statements like "It Could Be Worse."? Ask my wife and she'll remind you how often I recite my favorites...it drives her bonkers. I love you Babe!
Ya'know though, don't you think it is fair to show everyday examples that prove the truth behind the pithiness?
It could be worse...after decades of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, you could look like an old has been rocker.
I love ya Eddie. You're still one of the best!
Ya'know though, don't you think it is fair to show everyday examples that prove the truth behind the pithiness?
It could be worse...after decades of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, you could look like an old has been rocker.
I love ya Eddie. You're still one of the best!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Deep Cleansing Thoughts
A week ago I just finished eating my ninth grapefruit and second orange of the day. A week ago I went to sleep right about this time anticipating a one day fast and then a great blowout. If you've been keeping up, you know the results. Since the big blowout bomb backfire I've had time to reflect and I now will offer my final analysis of the whole thing.
First off, thanks for all the comments. No doubt, blog traffic was high. The sustained increase in traffic those three days "sort of" proves the concept behind shows like Jack Ass, Fear Factor, and Myth Busters. After the whole fiasco I sure felt like I had been on at least two of those three shows.
The Final Analysis
The Blowout was a bomb that exploded in my face because of me - no other reason. The cleanse didn't work because of what I did wrong. When accepting the challenge I acted totally out of character and "went with it." I normally do much more research before investing time and energy into anything.
One thing for sure. I accepted the opportunity to cleanse my body because I considered it a challenge for my will. I wanted to see if I could do it. I believe in cleansing the body of trapped waste. I believe it is beneficial. It is just that I had never done it before. Like I said, I wanted to see if I had the courage to sacrifice for a few days.
My approach toward blogging about the whole event though was based on self-deprecating humor. I think some of the best comedy is self-centered navel gazing. Although I was serious about what I was doing with the cleanse, I thought it would make for a great personal blog series.
When I considered the comments I received and after speaking to a good friend today, I realized that my seriousness was overshadowed by my vain attempts at humor. My friend helped me see that I was actually making fun of the cleansing process, making it appear as something offered up by health kooks and witch doctors. This lead me to think of the health professionals, people who are my friends, that I negatively affected by contributing to the mass confusion that seems to surround so many health issues these days. My friends work hard at providing great health care and they also fight hard against all the bad information that is out there. To my friends, please accept my apologies and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe the cleansing process would have worked if I would have done it properly. The proper way was described in a comment by Dr. Zach in this post. I also received a great email about cleansing from my friend Jen. Let me know if you'd like a copy of it and I will forward it to you. Perhaps with her permission I could post the email as a blog entry.
I will be back...to cleansing. I will try it again and do it right. For now, I am busy putting things back into my body so that cleansing will be needed (did you know Little Debbie snakes is an example of good stewardship?)
First off, thanks for all the comments. No doubt, blog traffic was high. The sustained increase in traffic those three days "sort of" proves the concept behind shows like Jack Ass, Fear Factor, and Myth Busters. After the whole fiasco I sure felt like I had been on at least two of those three shows.
The Final Analysis
The Blowout was a bomb that exploded in my face because of me - no other reason. The cleanse didn't work because of what I did wrong. When accepting the challenge I acted totally out of character and "went with it." I normally do much more research before investing time and energy into anything.
One thing for sure. I accepted the opportunity to cleanse my body because I considered it a challenge for my will. I wanted to see if I could do it. I believe in cleansing the body of trapped waste. I believe it is beneficial. It is just that I had never done it before. Like I said, I wanted to see if I had the courage to sacrifice for a few days.
My approach toward blogging about the whole event though was based on self-deprecating humor. I think some of the best comedy is self-centered navel gazing. Although I was serious about what I was doing with the cleanse, I thought it would make for a great personal blog series.
When I considered the comments I received and after speaking to a good friend today, I realized that my seriousness was overshadowed by my vain attempts at humor. My friend helped me see that I was actually making fun of the cleansing process, making it appear as something offered up by health kooks and witch doctors. This lead me to think of the health professionals, people who are my friends, that I negatively affected by contributing to the mass confusion that seems to surround so many health issues these days. My friends work hard at providing great health care and they also fight hard against all the bad information that is out there. To my friends, please accept my apologies and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe the cleansing process would have worked if I would have done it properly. The proper way was described in a comment by Dr. Zach in this post. I also received a great email about cleansing from my friend Jen. Let me know if you'd like a copy of it and I will forward it to you. Perhaps with her permission I could post the email as a blog entry.
I will be back...to cleansing. I will try it again and do it right. For now, I am busy putting things back into my body so that cleansing will be needed (did you know Little Debbie snakes is an example of good stewardship?)
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Shut Out, Aced, Skunked, Na Da, Nuttin, Wasted
After puking the first time at 5:00 am, I puked again at 6:00 am. The second time was far worse than the first. Not only did all the salt water come back up but so did some of the grapefruit I ate two days earlier. After the convulsions* stopped I said to myself, "Pat, this is the most idiotic thing you've ever done, on purpose, to yourself." I went back to bed until 7:30 am, I was wiped.
So far today (its 6:30 pm now) the only hole in my body utilized to expel waste has been my mouth. The cleansing (so called) that I expected has yet to come to fruition. By now I expected some action but I've been shut out.
I did take the kids sledding all day. I felt ok. Ironically, the most difficult thing I dealt with all day was bloating. Talking has also been tough because my throat is raw...salt burns I think.
The Great Blow is over. Needless to say it was a failure. Frankly, I've experienced better cleansing by eating 20 chocolate chip cookies on a Sunday afternoon.
*if you're interested perhaps I'll blog sometime about my xstreamly violent puking
So far today (its 6:30 pm now) the only hole in my body utilized to expel waste has been my mouth. The cleansing (so called) that I expected has yet to come to fruition. By now I expected some action but I've been shut out.
I did take the kids sledding all day. I felt ok. Ironically, the most difficult thing I dealt with all day was bloating. Talking has also been tough because my throat is raw...salt burns I think.
The Great Blow is over. Needless to say it was a failure. Frankly, I've experienced better cleansing by eating 20 chocolate chip cookies on a Sunday afternoon.
*if you're interested perhaps I'll blog sometime about my xstreamly violent puking
Salt Water Gag Chug
It's 5:32 am, Saturday. I drank the salt water mix at 5:02 am. Here I sit still gagging. The last half hour has been a horrible experience! I did manage to drink nearly a pint but as soon as the gagging started I wondered if I could drink the rest. I took one more sip. As soon as the puking started, I poured out the rest. I am concerned there is not enough salt water in my stomach to be effective for the cleansing. I hope to find out sooner than later.
Friday, March 02, 2007
The Great Blowout
First off...
The Great Experiment has been renamed The 1st Annual Great Blowout. It is still very much an experiment so hold off getting the t-shirt.
Status Update
I am 26 hours into it. Surprisingly I feel really good. Ate 9 grapefruit and 2 oranges yesterday and seemingly peed every five minutes.
Today is the fast. Yesterday I had concerns about my energy and mood levels during the fast. So far, energy is high and mood is really good. I only get hungry at the smell of food. For instances, about a half an hour ago I fought through some dangerously strong temptations to go and grab a handful of the popcorn my kids were eating. They have the day off from school because of the snow storm and I am working from home for the same reason. Now it is time to stop talking about food because it makes me think of food and what I want to do to it.
Back to the renaming thing. It goes to show you the influence my big thinking and dreaming friend (Randy) has in my life. This great experience has now become an annual event. Do you want to register for next year?
Questions Remain
How will this all work out? What will tomorrow morning look like? Will this little experiment really prove to be a complete success. I sure hope so! I am going for total satisfaction. Anything less will be failure!
Pressing On
So the plan for the rest of the day is to fight well against temptations to eat. I am also pursuing any opportunities to draw closer to Christ. Fasting without contemplating His mercy, grace, and love seems meaningless. Please don't mis-interpret that last sentence as a self-righteous attempt at boasting about how spiritually strong I am. I am not! I was just thinking about my past attempts at fasting "for the right reasons" and how full of self-pity I was. Now, here I am fasting for somewhat of a stupid reason and I am acting as I am a pro at fasting. But then again, I am asking if I am trying to kill two birds with one stone? Ok, so perhaps that lack of food is getting to me now. Need to stop thinking.
Tomorrow morning I will most likely be waking up naturally between 4:30 am and 5:00 am. I plan to mix up to the salt water as soon as possible and chug it down. I need to get things moving and over with by 10:00 am. I am taking the kids sledding.
The Great Experiment has been renamed The 1st Annual Great Blowout. It is still very much an experiment so hold off getting the t-shirt.
Status Update
I am 26 hours into it. Surprisingly I feel really good. Ate 9 grapefruit and 2 oranges yesterday and seemingly peed every five minutes.
Today is the fast. Yesterday I had concerns about my energy and mood levels during the fast. So far, energy is high and mood is really good. I only get hungry at the smell of food. For instances, about a half an hour ago I fought through some dangerously strong temptations to go and grab a handful of the popcorn my kids were eating. They have the day off from school because of the snow storm and I am working from home for the same reason. Now it is time to stop talking about food because it makes me think of food and what I want to do to it.
Back to the renaming thing. It goes to show you the influence my big thinking and dreaming friend (Randy) has in my life. This great experience has now become an annual event. Do you want to register for next year?
Questions Remain
How will this all work out? What will tomorrow morning look like? Will this little experiment really prove to be a complete success. I sure hope so! I am going for total satisfaction. Anything less will be failure!
Pressing On
So the plan for the rest of the day is to fight well against temptations to eat. I am also pursuing any opportunities to draw closer to Christ. Fasting without contemplating His mercy, grace, and love seems meaningless. Please don't mis-interpret that last sentence as a self-righteous attempt at boasting about how spiritually strong I am. I am not! I was just thinking about my past attempts at fasting "for the right reasons" and how full of self-pity I was. Now, here I am fasting for somewhat of a stupid reason and I am acting as I am a pro at fasting. But then again, I am asking if I am trying to kill two birds with one stone? Ok, so perhaps that lack of food is getting to me now. Need to stop thinking.
Tomorrow morning I will most likely be waking up naturally between 4:30 am and 5:00 am. I plan to mix up to the salt water as soon as possible and chug it down. I need to get things moving and over with by 10:00 am. I am taking the kids sledding.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
The Great Experiment
What I blog about over the next few days will probably be one of the craziest things I have ever done. I risk losing the handful of readers that visit this blog on a daily basis - out of disgust for what they will read (Although my Mom will probably come back. Right? Mom?)
The Great Experiment
Yesterday my friend Randy described a natural colon cleanse to me that he learned about in a natural health class. I was interested in the simplicity of what I heard and the seemingly powerful effectiveness of the process. I have never once detoxified my body through a colon cleanse process. I have been on the lookout for "something" good that I can do to my body to "get me going" again so that I can start out my inline training season with a clean slate.
My friend Randy is one of the greatest motivators I've ever met in my life. Guess what? Today I am starting a three day natural colon cleansing program. Randy is going to do it too. I am going to blog about the experience. Aren't you excited?
I want to see if this natural program works. I want to see if it does the job that all those other significantly more expensive programs claim to do. Also, I figure blogging about it will help you, perhaps, if you are interested. At this point it is an experiment. Let's see what happens.
The Detox Plan
Day 1 - Eat only citric fruit all day. Drink water all day. I am going to eat grapefruit and oranges.
Day 2 - Fast. Strive for no food at all. Allowed to eat some citric fruit if hunger is strong. Drink water all day.
Day 3 - In the morning mix up a quart of heavy salt water and drink as much as I can. The salt water mixture should be strong enough that some salt can't even dissolve and it will sit at the bottom of the mixture. After drinking the salt water I need to wait and be prepared. I am told within a few hours the cleanse process will be complete. I will then go back to drinking water for the rest of the day. I can also resume eating as normal again. However, normal here for me means in better than I have been.
I am going to the grocery store on my way into work to get a sack of grapefruit. I will blog about the experience throughout the next three days.
Ready. Set. Go.
The Great Experiment
Yesterday my friend Randy described a natural colon cleanse to me that he learned about in a natural health class. I was interested in the simplicity of what I heard and the seemingly powerful effectiveness of the process. I have never once detoxified my body through a colon cleanse process. I have been on the lookout for "something" good that I can do to my body to "get me going" again so that I can start out my inline training season with a clean slate.
My friend Randy is one of the greatest motivators I've ever met in my life. Guess what? Today I am starting a three day natural colon cleansing program. Randy is going to do it too. I am going to blog about the experience. Aren't you excited?
I want to see if this natural program works. I want to see if it does the job that all those other significantly more expensive programs claim to do. Also, I figure blogging about it will help you, perhaps, if you are interested. At this point it is an experiment. Let's see what happens.
The Detox Plan
Day 1 - Eat only citric fruit all day. Drink water all day. I am going to eat grapefruit and oranges.
Day 2 - Fast. Strive for no food at all. Allowed to eat some citric fruit if hunger is strong. Drink water all day.
Day 3 - In the morning mix up a quart of heavy salt water and drink as much as I can. The salt water mixture should be strong enough that some salt can't even dissolve and it will sit at the bottom of the mixture. After drinking the salt water I need to wait and be prepared. I am told within a few hours the cleanse process will be complete. I will then go back to drinking water for the rest of the day. I can also resume eating as normal again. However, normal here for me means in better than I have been.
I am going to the grocery store on my way into work to get a sack of grapefruit. I will blog about the experience throughout the next three days.
Ready. Set. Go.
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