Nicaragua 1-9-10 Slideshow: Alex’s trip from Green River (near West Halifax, Vermont, United States) to 2 cities Managua and Catarina (near Lago de Apoyo, Nicaragua) was created by TripAdvisor. See another Nicaragua slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Planting Seeds in the Bowels of my Past
Planting Seeds
in the Bowels of my Past
The seeds I had planted in July have taken root, begun to sprout and affect the lives of others. I feel as if I was able to accomplish much in His name. My friend has been sober for 10 weeks now and good things have been happening for him. He credits God for all his blessings. I was also able show him my faith in action and how God works in the lives of others.
He witnessed my strong faith and allowed himself to ride comfortably in my presences while doing so. (He had once visited a church forty five minutes away. He didn’t think that he could find the way back to it.) He was amazed as I tried to explain how walking in faith is often walking without sight. (God showed us where the church was and my friend’s faith grew immensely. Blindly, I followed God, yet my friend held my coat-tail as I demonstrated the effect that God’s will, desire, forgiveness and love has on others as we were never lost, and continue to visit people I had not seen in 25 to 30 years. God was always with us; although, I seldom spoke of him. But once, I was asked, "What religion are you?"
I replied, "I am a non-denominational Christian attending a bible chapel."
That seemed to satisfy that person as she never seemed threatened by my presences. They were excepting of my love and even said words to the effect of trying to meet again before my departure from the area. (Sorry! That never happened) I was very busy the whole time.
I held the cold hand of a heroin addict, black and blue color gaining deeper hues as it reached her fingertips. She felt the warmth that radiated from my hands. Looking into my eyes, she clearly felt that she was undeserving. Undeserving to see the love, to have her hand held, to feel what she longed for. She reluctantly pulled her hand away from the warmth that I offered, but almost returned for more saying, “your hands are toasty.”
Later, another addict looked at me, feeling condemned, she sank in her seat and tried to fade into the cushions trying to maintain a focus on cartoons of a small TV. I remained near by and in her presence, so that she might hear something that would help her. From what I saw, she was feeling trapped. I had seen this look before, long ago, when I knew nothing about what to do. At this point I could still do nothing to help her as she internally cried out for help except pray and I did.
She was trapped or was it entrapped, by the man who supplied her with what she felt she needed as he took what he wanted, leaving her, a badly damaged empty shell, so lost that I could not reach her and she could not reach me. That hurt!
The next day, Sunday, I met a great pastor and a growing congregation. During the service, he asked the congregation a question, which gave me opportunity to speak. Instantly people wanted to know more about me. I was still at the church nearly 2 hours later. Yes! I did meet a nice, interesting woman, (Erin). But, I’ll see how she is doing when I return in the spring. Erin was in her 40s, with a 12 year old son. She’ll have an arm full of gentlemen callers by then but I am sure that I will be remembered. I did leave her my card. A single man has to plant certain seeds of interest in sometimes uncertain pastures.
All in all, it was a very productive weekend. I planted several more seeds. None of which were in fertile soil. I or God can pluck them from the rocks and weeds later but first they need to take root. I saw a world of suffering people with many addictions and deep dysfunctions twisted in their minds such as: jealousy, bitterness, spitefulness, selfishness, self-pride, self-centeredness, hatred, racism, shame, guilt, poverty, abuse, drugs, sex, adultery, prostitution, alcoholism, the effects of all the above, but I could still see love in them. It is my understanding that God has given me this same abundant love so that I might love others enough to show them its greatness followed by forgiveness. By showing them the love in me, I hope to share the message that the love in me is minuscule compare to His.
It’s kind of strange, now that I am home and have time to think about the events that took place. I kept no journal. I had no cell phone. I never used my camera, leaving it in the truck most of the time. I never felt like I was in danger or that I was not qualified to pastor to these people. But, if I had been told that I was going to be sent there to share God’s message with them, I would have said I was unqualified and restrained myself from going. It was good thing I went into it blindly.
Would I go do it again?
Yes! In a way, it has become like a mission trip, but instead of going to a foreign country, I get to drive 4 hours and speak the same language. It might be safer for me to visit a foreign country though. I don’t know if it was because of the hunting season, but it appeared that every where I went, there were always guns around. I slept on an old mattress on the floor. A large dog slept in a better bed than I. When I woke that morning, it was about forty degrees in that old trailer, with no insulation. I guess if Jesus were there, he would have stayed with those that he was there to help. It was rough, even for me! With snow on the ground, the roads were sanded, yet messy. The water was frozen when I arrived there, but I managed to help get it repaired on the first day, only to find the drainage was frozen and then fixed it the next day.
Who knew a third world country could be found in up state New York?
On my return trip home, I stopped a few times for coffee; and in Massachusetts, I was blessed to fill my tank with gas that was only $1.76. I arrived home after midnight, cold, dirty, and tired. You can imagine the rest but I would eventually climb under the warm covers with my electric blanket.
It is my hope that you and yours have the best of thanksgivings, and if you happen to see someone in need, please don’t judge them harshly, they may not know what they do. But I ask that you to plant the seed of loving kindness, to share that love which resides in you with someone who would least expect it. I did, and it would take me pages to describe the details of the lives that were affected. Better yet, it would take pages to tell about the affect it had in me as a result of sharing His love.
Gifts: I left money where it could be found but only when needed.
I gave my own medicine to someone who needed it more.
I shared the words and feeling of love with many.
I offered forgiveness to those suffering in guilt and shame.
I offered hope to those who were lost and without a clue.
I looked into the eye of someone, living in a world close to hell, yet she understood not a word of what I offered. Yea! That hurt me! But not as much as she was! It hurts, when you can help those who need it most.
I shared many things with as many as I could and yet, I did little. My only hope is that I managed to plant a few more seeds.
in the Bowels of my Past
The seeds I had planted in July have taken root, begun to sprout and affect the lives of others. I feel as if I was able to accomplish much in His name. My friend has been sober for 10 weeks now and good things have been happening for him. He credits God for all his blessings. I was also able show him my faith in action and how God works in the lives of others.
He witnessed my strong faith and allowed himself to ride comfortably in my presences while doing so. (He had once visited a church forty five minutes away. He didn’t think that he could find the way back to it.) He was amazed as I tried to explain how walking in faith is often walking without sight. (God showed us where the church was and my friend’s faith grew immensely. Blindly, I followed God, yet my friend held my coat-tail as I demonstrated the effect that God’s will, desire, forgiveness and love has on others as we were never lost, and continue to visit people I had not seen in 25 to 30 years. God was always with us; although, I seldom spoke of him. But once, I was asked, "What religion are you?"
I replied, "I am a non-denominational Christian attending a bible chapel."
That seemed to satisfy that person as she never seemed threatened by my presences. They were excepting of my love and even said words to the effect of trying to meet again before my departure from the area. (Sorry! That never happened) I was very busy the whole time.
I held the cold hand of a heroin addict, black and blue color gaining deeper hues as it reached her fingertips. She felt the warmth that radiated from my hands. Looking into my eyes, she clearly felt that she was undeserving. Undeserving to see the love, to have her hand held, to feel what she longed for. She reluctantly pulled her hand away from the warmth that I offered, but almost returned for more saying, “your hands are toasty.”
Later, another addict looked at me, feeling condemned, she sank in her seat and tried to fade into the cushions trying to maintain a focus on cartoons of a small TV. I remained near by and in her presence, so that she might hear something that would help her. From what I saw, she was feeling trapped. I had seen this look before, long ago, when I knew nothing about what to do. At this point I could still do nothing to help her as she internally cried out for help except pray and I did.
She was trapped or was it entrapped, by the man who supplied her with what she felt she needed as he took what he wanted, leaving her, a badly damaged empty shell, so lost that I could not reach her and she could not reach me. That hurt!
The next day, Sunday, I met a great pastor and a growing congregation. During the service, he asked the congregation a question, which gave me opportunity to speak. Instantly people wanted to know more about me. I was still at the church nearly 2 hours later. Yes! I did meet a nice, interesting woman, (Erin). But, I’ll see how she is doing when I return in the spring. Erin was in her 40s, with a 12 year old son. She’ll have an arm full of gentlemen callers by then but I am sure that I will be remembered. I did leave her my card. A single man has to plant certain seeds of interest in sometimes uncertain pastures.
All in all, it was a very productive weekend. I planted several more seeds. None of which were in fertile soil. I or God can pluck them from the rocks and weeds later but first they need to take root. I saw a world of suffering people with many addictions and deep dysfunctions twisted in their minds such as: jealousy, bitterness, spitefulness, selfishness, self-pride, self-centeredness, hatred, racism, shame, guilt, poverty, abuse, drugs, sex, adultery, prostitution, alcoholism, the effects of all the above, but I could still see love in them. It is my understanding that God has given me this same abundant love so that I might love others enough to show them its greatness followed by forgiveness. By showing them the love in me, I hope to share the message that the love in me is minuscule compare to His.
It’s kind of strange, now that I am home and have time to think about the events that took place. I kept no journal. I had no cell phone. I never used my camera, leaving it in the truck most of the time. I never felt like I was in danger or that I was not qualified to pastor to these people. But, if I had been told that I was going to be sent there to share God’s message with them, I would have said I was unqualified and restrained myself from going. It was good thing I went into it blindly.
Would I go do it again?
Yes! In a way, it has become like a mission trip, but instead of going to a foreign country, I get to drive 4 hours and speak the same language. It might be safer for me to visit a foreign country though. I don’t know if it was because of the hunting season, but it appeared that every where I went, there were always guns around. I slept on an old mattress on the floor. A large dog slept in a better bed than I. When I woke that morning, it was about forty degrees in that old trailer, with no insulation. I guess if Jesus were there, he would have stayed with those that he was there to help. It was rough, even for me! With snow on the ground, the roads were sanded, yet messy. The water was frozen when I arrived there, but I managed to help get it repaired on the first day, only to find the drainage was frozen and then fixed it the next day.
Who knew a third world country could be found in up state New York?
On my return trip home, I stopped a few times for coffee; and in Massachusetts, I was blessed to fill my tank with gas that was only $1.76. I arrived home after midnight, cold, dirty, and tired. You can imagine the rest but I would eventually climb under the warm covers with my electric blanket.
It is my hope that you and yours have the best of thanksgivings, and if you happen to see someone in need, please don’t judge them harshly, they may not know what they do. But I ask that you to plant the seed of loving kindness, to share that love which resides in you with someone who would least expect it. I did, and it would take me pages to describe the details of the lives that were affected. Better yet, it would take pages to tell about the affect it had in me as a result of sharing His love.
Gifts: I left money where it could be found but only when needed.
I gave my own medicine to someone who needed it more.
I shared the words and feeling of love with many.
I offered forgiveness to those suffering in guilt and shame.
I offered hope to those who were lost and without a clue.
I looked into the eye of someone, living in a world close to hell, yet she understood not a word of what I offered. Yea! That hurt me! But not as much as she was! It hurts, when you can help those who need it most.
I shared many things with as many as I could and yet, I did little. My only hope is that I managed to plant a few more seeds.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Nobility
A dear friend of mine, responded to one of my recent emails with the latter paraphrase. It nearly brought me to tears, to hear that someone who has known me since my separation and through the divorce, has held me in such honorable esteem. She could have saved these words for my funeral but I am glad I was here to receive it. I could not thank her enough for her kind, humble, gracious words. I was truly blessed to be in her presence and now to continue to share our friendship from 2000 mile away. Yes! Her husband knows that she is a keeper; they have been married over 35 years.
She said, “I treasure you as a friend and have truly enjoyed your insight from the very first night of small group; I could feel your depth and your warmth from the beginning.
For anything that God has allowed to come through me for your good, I am most grateful.
Thank you for making me feel valued and appreciated; that in itself is more than enough without my being mentioned on paper! I find with so many people, even responses that are deeply heartfelt seem to simply go in one ear and out the other. At least with you I will always know - right or wrong - it will always be well received.”
She recently responded to one of my heartfelt emails with, “Another lunch being brought to tears.” She said.
I have enjoyed sharing some of the things that this woman has inspired me to write and I had done so, with everyone, at one time or another. She has a way of bringing out the best in me. Conversely, I have met several women like this and all of them have been happily married for at least 2 decades but likely more. I have yet to see one of these cherished, blessed individuals in the younger generations, or younger than I. (Sorry if you fall into this category, nothing personal. And I’ll love you anyways.) It is my guess that this woman and others similar to her, are what the bible refers to as a noble woman as described in Proverbs 31. Yes! Most of their husbands are mentioned there too. (Well known within the gates) There were other noble women mentioned in the bible. One of these even went unnamed. She was the wife of Manoah, the father of Samson, in the book of Judges. Now she had a way, of straightening Manoah out, using just a few words and without raising her voice, but as I said, she was also blessed to be one of these noble women.
I share this with you because so many of us come from highly dysfunctional families and/or backgrounds, yet a few reach beyond, leaving their baggage, to become what appears to be noble, yet remain humble. (Having or showing high moral qualities or ideals, or greatness of character; lofty – Webster’s Dictionary) Becoming noble is no easy feat, and then to remain humble, seeking no credit or notability, not judging others while living with a loving forgiving heart. Now there is a picture that comes to my mind. You may have a different opinion but Princess Di, comes to my mind. Keep in mind, I have not read the tabloids and I wouldn’t believe much of anything that I would have read in it anyway. No! I have not I kept up on the investigations, hence, I may very well be seeing a person who once was and no longer is a good example of nobility. However, I am sure that I cannot be the only one who knows a few of these cherished individuals. Sorry! And yes! They usually do come in the form of a grandmother. Something’s, come from age. Do you suppose???
None the less, I am sure you also know a few grumpy old men. What’s up with that? Not all women get to be noble but I have yet to meet a noble man who hasn’t turn out to be a pompous grumpy, oops! But I do hope to meet one someday. I could use and mentor! Better yet, I hope to be one someday, however, I am very thankful that someone came alone and wrote the book on forgiveness because I fall short of everyone’s expectations all the time and still, I continue strive to reach ahead of the trash, I once left behind. Yea! I had baggage. Still do but I am doing a good job cleaning house.
She said, “I treasure you as a friend and have truly enjoyed your insight from the very first night of small group; I could feel your depth and your warmth from the beginning.
For anything that God has allowed to come through me for your good, I am most grateful.
Thank you for making me feel valued and appreciated; that in itself is more than enough without my being mentioned on paper! I find with so many people, even responses that are deeply heartfelt seem to simply go in one ear and out the other. At least with you I will always know - right or wrong - it will always be well received.”
She recently responded to one of my heartfelt emails with, “Another lunch being brought to tears.” She said.
I have enjoyed sharing some of the things that this woman has inspired me to write and I had done so, with everyone, at one time or another. She has a way of bringing out the best in me. Conversely, I have met several women like this and all of them have been happily married for at least 2 decades but likely more. I have yet to see one of these cherished, blessed individuals in the younger generations, or younger than I. (Sorry if you fall into this category, nothing personal. And I’ll love you anyways.) It is my guess that this woman and others similar to her, are what the bible refers to as a noble woman as described in Proverbs 31. Yes! Most of their husbands are mentioned there too. (Well known within the gates) There were other noble women mentioned in the bible. One of these even went unnamed. She was the wife of Manoah, the father of Samson, in the book of Judges. Now she had a way, of straightening Manoah out, using just a few words and without raising her voice, but as I said, she was also blessed to be one of these noble women.
I share this with you because so many of us come from highly dysfunctional families and/or backgrounds, yet a few reach beyond, leaving their baggage, to become what appears to be noble, yet remain humble. (Having or showing high moral qualities or ideals, or greatness of character; lofty – Webster’s Dictionary) Becoming noble is no easy feat, and then to remain humble, seeking no credit or notability, not judging others while living with a loving forgiving heart. Now there is a picture that comes to my mind. You may have a different opinion but Princess Di, comes to my mind. Keep in mind, I have not read the tabloids and I wouldn’t believe much of anything that I would have read in it anyway. No! I have not I kept up on the investigations, hence, I may very well be seeing a person who once was and no longer is a good example of nobility. However, I am sure that I cannot be the only one who knows a few of these cherished individuals. Sorry! And yes! They usually do come in the form of a grandmother. Something’s, come from age. Do you suppose???
None the less, I am sure you also know a few grumpy old men. What’s up with that? Not all women get to be noble but I have yet to meet a noble man who hasn’t turn out to be a pompous grumpy, oops! But I do hope to meet one someday. I could use and mentor! Better yet, I hope to be one someday, however, I am very thankful that someone came alone and wrote the book on forgiveness because I fall short of everyone’s expectations all the time and still, I continue strive to reach ahead of the trash, I once left behind. Yea! I had baggage. Still do but I am doing a good job cleaning house.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Drawing Me In
Drawing me in, could sound as if you were fishing, but then you'd have to draw in what is on the hook. So I will consider THIS drawing, a drawing or painting, a work of art much like the Mona Lisa. Once a clean canvass, waiting for the moment of great inspiration, as it anticipates the many colors rising from a palette of a crystalline body, which smooth the solid planes of a prism. They come together in all their glory, smoothing the edges of defined lines. First a primer and base prepare a foundation for the future. Soon, colors of great depth, which resides in you, cast upon its broad surface. Then sensation illuminates with brilliance, flashing about your surroundings. Abundant color you seem to share gleams from your silhouette. The blending of your complexion mingles, with the intensity of blush, which casts a great glow. Soon, the multitudes of colorful hues are contoured for your tone. A painting of you is composed; all of who you are is beamed to the surface. A wonderful creation you are and there is but one. Not that I am an artist or even a painter, for not all can see what resides thee.
May you awake each morning to find a glorious day as it awaits your glow, much like the barren canvass before you spawned its notion. May you varnish a bit gold dust throughout your day.
Casting colors throughout your day, would that be like leaving breadcrumbs to ones dismay? But then, who would be drawing who and who is drawing who in?
Friday, August 15, 2008
If this Hat could Speak
If This Hat could Speak
If this Hat could speak, it would tell you of the many miles it has traveled. It would tell about the wind, rain, snow, sleet, and hail it has suffered through. It would tell you of the many times it was warn in honor and praise of our Lord. It would also mention those times it lay upon the ground while protecting the head from dirt and grime. It might humbly mention its part in helping an elderly man who was broken down on the freeway. It might mention that it was there when a witness helped a young lady from her car when she was stuck in a ditch during a blinding snow. It may say something about the many seeds of Gods wisdom it helped plant.
The Hat may even say how it felt when it was washed that late evening in August, after it suffered through the hot days while protecting a head from the sun during those long days harvesting hay. With its visor warn and its cloth torn, if this hat could speak, it definitely would tell of the many times it kept a mans head on straight and allowed him to walk a walk more pleasing to the Lord than of the world.
If this Hat could speak, it would never mention all the help it has given or that it refused all compensation for doing for others as it would have them do.
If this Hat could Speak,
it may tell you of the fish it never caught,
but it knew all along, it was not meant to catch fish
but to be fishing for men.
Alexander Bell
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Last Day of July
The last day of July will have passed before I complete this blog. My thoughts are on those who do not understand that the many journeys of our lives are their for a reason. The trials and tribulations that we suffer through, as we learn how to climb from the valleys and pits, we seem to find ourselves in. Sometimes our own wills and desires cause us to be in that very mess, we sometimes find ourselves in. Yet, other times it is a divine power, which knew where we were going and wanted us to be prepared for the journey.
An example would be; being sent to boot camp prior to active duty on the front lines. Another might be your first love, Puppy Love. You learned a great deal in that early relationship and you became someone new and slightly different, as a results of the influence, which that experience allowed you. So some would think that in some ways we are the sum of all the experiences and relationships we have ever had.
With the exception of the greatest relationships we could every have, all the others were more fluid than stationary or pertinent. Life here on earth changes, people change, locations, things change, yet there is one who remains the same. With the exception of God, everything else changes. If this is the case, then why are some people reluctant to change? If change is inevitable, why do so many people try to hold back the water of the great sea as if they could control the parting of the sea? I truly hope I am not the only one who sees change in every second of every day as I embrace the next.
An example would be; being sent to boot camp prior to active duty on the front lines. Another might be your first love, Puppy Love. You learned a great deal in that early relationship and you became someone new and slightly different, as a results of the influence, which that experience allowed you. So some would think that in some ways we are the sum of all the experiences and relationships we have ever had.
With the exception of the greatest relationships we could every have, all the others were more fluid than stationary or pertinent. Life here on earth changes, people change, locations, things change, yet there is one who remains the same. With the exception of God, everything else changes. If this is the case, then why are some people reluctant to change? If change is inevitable, why do so many people try to hold back the water of the great sea as if they could control the parting of the sea? I truly hope I am not the only one who sees change in every second of every day as I embrace the next.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
First blog Deserves First Words of Wisdom
It is often after midnight before I have a chance to write. Fortunately, this is when I do some of my most creative writing. However, it is also when I make more typos that I can afford to. This unintentionally leaves the reader trying to decipher exactly what am I trying to say.
Having said this as a disclaimer up front, it is my hope you'll forgive me for my mistakes and allow me a bit of grace. It is also my hope you will hang around long enough for me to share a few words that might influence you in a way that you have never been.
My first words of wisdom are, "Life is simple, Lets keep it that way." Someone else once said, "Keep it simple stupid". I would rather not say things in this manner if I can help it. I believe we should use words to lift each other up, without putting others down.
Having said this as a disclaimer up front, it is my hope you'll forgive me for my mistakes and allow me a bit of grace. It is also my hope you will hang around long enough for me to share a few words that might influence you in a way that you have never been.
My first words of wisdom are, "Life is simple, Lets keep it that way." Someone else once said, "Keep it simple stupid". I would rather not say things in this manner if I can help it. I believe we should use words to lift each other up, without putting others down.
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