So, every now and then I post a blog entry about my walk with the Lord and how that is going. Its nothing fancy, I’m not a religious nut or anything like that. My life has its ups and downs just as everyone does and I am far from perfect…but anyway here goes.
I was reading a book titled “Celebration of Discipline” which is an intriguing study about learning how to meditate the Christian way and other disciplines to put ones self before God in an effort to seek Him so you may develop a more intimate relationship with God.
Bible in Basic English
“And you will be searching for me and I will be there, when you have gone after me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
I find the more I expose myself to God the more I consciously think about God and therefore, the more Christ-like I become. For example, making simple choices to live righteously such as, listening to Christian radio versus secular radio, praying before each meal consistently, praying with the girls before we tuck them in at night, reading Christian literature instead of fictional novels. Watching what I am exposed to on TV, the internet and in movies. I am taking precautions for protecting myself from the harsh realities of the world basically.
Now, when an irritant arises which poses an opportunity to be less than Christ-like, I am better prepared. I have been practicing a God centered life, so I stop and think about situations and respond to them instead of reacting to them. I think about the other person instead of making presumptions.
You may have noticed I did not mention going to church. We do attend church once a week on Sunday mornings which is very fulfilling to us but going to church is not a requirement for having a close relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Developing a routine has made all the difference. I am able to focus carefully on child rearing, including proper instruction and discipline. I am fully functional in all capacities that I am supposed to be doing without being overdrawn on my personal limitations and therefore I need not sacrifice on being thorough. I am NOT stretched too thin.
In Divorce Care class, which I attended at a former church I regularly attended and loved…they inform all us single people that one does not need anyone else to complete them because an individual is whole without a partner. I believed that then but I knew it was God’s plan for me to have a partner again one day. Now, I contemplate what Divorce Care taught and know in the bible it says God saw Adam was alone and it was not good.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A Day in the Life of Dick and Jane
I found this poem in an old book from 1983 titled, "Why I Hate Men."
I think it accurately describes the typical marriage relationship as the majority of my life has been commited to one man on two separate occassions. Since I have the benefit of having been married and divorced twice, I can provide accurate details based on life experience for what is common. Hope you enjoy...
6 a.m.
See Jane wake up.
Up, Jane, up.
See Jane clean the
bathroom.
Ugh, ugh, ugh.
And do her exercises.
Puff, puff, puff.
See Dick roll over
and go back to sleep.
Sleep, sleep, sleep.
8 a.m.
See Jane cook.
Cook, cook, cook.
See Dick and Dickie, Jr.
Eat, eat, eat.
See Jane finish cooking.
See Dick finish eating.
8:45 a.m.
See Dick go to work.
See Jane take Dickie to school
before she goes to
Work, work, work.
Work, Jane, work.
3 p.m.
See the Day Care call Jane
because Dickie doesn't feel well.
Sick, Dickie, sick.
Hear Jane's boss
complain
because Jane has to leave early.
See Dick sit behind his desk
in his office.
Sit, Dick, sit.
See Jane take Dickie home.
Nurse, nurse, nurse.
See Jane run to the store.
Shop, shop, shop.
6:00 p.m.
See Dick come home.
Dick is tired.
See Dick lie down.
Snooze, Dick, snooze.
See Jane cook.
See Dick eat.
See Dickie, Jr. eat.
Soup, soup, soup.
8:30 p.m.
See Jane wash dishes.
See Jane do laundry.
See Jane wax floors.
See Dick watch television.
10:00 p.m.
Dishes, dishes, dishes.
Laundry, laundry, laundry.
Floors, floors, floors.
See Dick read a book.
Read, read, read.
Snooze, snooze, snooze.
Television, television, television.
Eat, eat, eat.
Sleep, sleep, sleep.
12 Midnight
Bed, Jane, bed.
Hurry up and sleep.
It's almost
dawn, dawn, dawn.
6 a.m.
Oh, my, Jane, Dick is
horny, horny, horny.
Again, again, again.
See Dick and Jane play.
Pant, pant, pant.
6:30 a.m.
Watch Jane get
up, up, up.
While Dick goes back to
sleep, sleep, sleep.
See Jane
Ugh, ugh, ugh.
Puff, puff, puff.
Cook, cook, cook.
Nurse, nurse, nurse.
Work, work, work.
Shop, shop, shop.
Errands, errands, errands.
Run, run, run.
Faster, Jane, faster.
Or Dick might get
bored, bored, bored.
And find another woman he
likes better than you.
And you might get a
divorce, divorce, divorce.
Wouldn't that be
awful?
My hope for your home is not like this example but if it is...
See Jane
pray, pray, pray.
See Dick
grow, grow, grow.
See Dickey
learn, learn, learn.
In HIS time.
I think it accurately describes the typical marriage relationship as the majority of my life has been commited to one man on two separate occassions. Since I have the benefit of having been married and divorced twice, I can provide accurate details based on life experience for what is common. Hope you enjoy...
6 a.m.
See Jane wake up.
Up, Jane, up.
See Jane clean the
bathroom.
Ugh, ugh, ugh.
And do her exercises.
Puff, puff, puff.
See Dick roll over
and go back to sleep.
Sleep, sleep, sleep.
8 a.m.
See Jane cook.
Cook, cook, cook.
See Dick and Dickie, Jr.
Eat, eat, eat.
See Jane finish cooking.
See Dick finish eating.
8:45 a.m.
See Dick go to work.
See Jane take Dickie to school
before she goes to
Work, work, work.
Work, Jane, work.
3 p.m.
See the Day Care call Jane
because Dickie doesn't feel well.
Sick, Dickie, sick.
Hear Jane's boss
complain
because Jane has to leave early.
See Dick sit behind his desk
in his office.
Sit, Dick, sit.
See Jane take Dickie home.
Nurse, nurse, nurse.
See Jane run to the store.
Shop, shop, shop.
6:00 p.m.
See Dick come home.
Dick is tired.
See Dick lie down.
Snooze, Dick, snooze.
See Jane cook.
See Dick eat.
See Dickie, Jr. eat.
Soup, soup, soup.
8:30 p.m.
See Jane wash dishes.
See Jane do laundry.
See Jane wax floors.
See Dick watch television.
10:00 p.m.
Dishes, dishes, dishes.
Laundry, laundry, laundry.
Floors, floors, floors.
See Dick read a book.
Read, read, read.
Snooze, snooze, snooze.
Television, television, television.
Eat, eat, eat.
Sleep, sleep, sleep.
12 Midnight
Bed, Jane, bed.
Hurry up and sleep.
It's almost
dawn, dawn, dawn.
6 a.m.
Oh, my, Jane, Dick is
horny, horny, horny.
Again, again, again.
See Dick and Jane play.
Pant, pant, pant.
6:30 a.m.
Watch Jane get
up, up, up.
While Dick goes back to
sleep, sleep, sleep.
See Jane
Ugh, ugh, ugh.
Puff, puff, puff.
Cook, cook, cook.
Nurse, nurse, nurse.
Work, work, work.
Shop, shop, shop.
Errands, errands, errands.
Run, run, run.
Faster, Jane, faster.
Or Dick might get
bored, bored, bored.
And find another woman he
likes better than you.
And you might get a
divorce, divorce, divorce.
Wouldn't that be
awful?
My hope for your home is not like this example but if it is...
See Jane
pray, pray, pray.
See Dick
grow, grow, grow.
See Dickey
learn, learn, learn.
In HIS time.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
God never gave up on US...lets never give up on HIM.
God created man in HIS IMAGE. We have all heard that haven't we? It is one of those basic biblical facts taught in Sunday school when we are little children. BUT...have we REALLY heard it?
I know I always thought about “His image” in comparison with myself as, “Okay that's cool, I look like God.” But oh no!! That is not exactly what is meant in its entirety about how we have been created in His image.
I ask the reader to consider this: God created a whole lot of awesomeness but He created man in HIS IMAGE. That doesn't mean just in appearance that also means we have similar emotions. Additionally, just as God presides over the Heaven's; He has granted man with the authority for presiding over the Earth. None of His other creations have been granted such a privilege. What an honorable position to be in.
Can you believe it that God trusts us so much that he grants full authority over the Earth to man!? You know what that means don't you? GOD HAS FAITH IN US! He never gave up His faith in us either, EVEN AFTER man fell into sin. God STILL believed in us so much so that He sent His one and only son, Jesus to walk the Earth sinless and ultimately sacrifice His life for us. God literally created a loop hole for us because He believes in us so much.
Holy cow! I get chills thinking about that, and here is why...
As we know, based on life experiences in parenting and career, anyone with authority has a huge responsibility! When I go downstairs and my daughters remain upstairs, my 7 year old daughter asks, “Mommy, am I in charge?” I answer, “Yes, you are in charge.”
She gains a sense of pride knowing I trust her to ensure my 3 year old daughter doesn't do something stupid while I am not around.
How awesome it is to think of ourselves from God's perspective...He trusts us so much that we are responsible for ALL of His other creations. Take a look at this verse and think about that.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends IF you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:13-15
God has put us in charge and we must take accountability for this responsibility.
We are literally amidst a Spiritual warfare during our own walk's on Earth. Praise God we are not exposed to the same public ridicule for what we believe in this Country as in many Countries however, never doubt for a moment...we are indeed involved in a War.
I am so thankful for my friends, both the friends I encounter about my walk in the secular environment and my friends at church.
GOD knew that everyone needs
companionship and cheer,
He knew that people need someone
whose thoughts are always near.
He knew they need someone kind
to lend a helping hand.
Someone to gladly take the time
to care and understand.
GOD knew that we all need someone
to share each happy day,
to be a source of courage
when troubles come our way.
Someone to be true to us,
whether near or far apart.
Someone whose love we’ll always
hold and treasure in our hearts.
That’s Why GOD Gave Us Friends.
(Author unknown)
I have limited knowledge but God grants me understanding the closer I grow in relationship with Him...our personal, intimate relationship...just Him and me.The potential for my knowledge is unstoppable because I have tapped into a intimate friendship with the source!!
“[Ask, Seek, Knock] "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”- Matthew 7:7-8
I encounter many people out there on this Spiritual battlefield and although I am nothing more than a young warrior in my walk of faith, I can make a difference by sharing what I do know with the others and by conducting my life in such a way that REPRESENTS. I can teach others what its like to be a Believer and leave them completely unaware they were just informed. Its about consistency and to have that stability takes MUCH effort by reconnecting with my Father in Heaven daily. After all, we encounter Satan daily don't we? Sadly, often people do not even realize they are under attack by Satan. We are all in a different place in our individual walks of faith with the Lord.
We all know that teamwork has its challenges and we have heard the phrase, “There is no I in team.” Many times conflict arises among team members therefore resulting in drama.
Why is it that if teamwork is so difficult do employer's keep running business in this way? Well I'm glad you asked because there are answers! The benefit of teamwork is so great that it far outweighs the negative aspects.
Working together in a combined effort toward a common goal offers the exchange of idea's and affords us the opportunity to learn from each other and meet goals more efficiently and with a better final result. Truly intelligent people realize they do not already know everything.
Because this is the case in the business world, perhaps it is the same from a Spiritual perspective? True, being inside of a church makes us no more Christian than being inside of a garage makes us car's but we NEED our friends at church who are further a long in their walks of faith so we can ask questions and learn from them. We also need them for support because a re-connection with in our church family reminds us we are not alone!
It is no different than coming home to the warm embrace of a spouse and telling him or her about your day. My hope for your home is peace, love, contentment. Home is where you can lay aside the harsh, cruel, exhaustion from your walk in the world (the battlefield) and recuperate for the next day (battle).
As my Pastor once put it, “Is it no wonder Satan attacks relationships so much? We NEED each other so we can be prepared to do God's work.”
Men and women are designed in His Image AND, we are designed for EACH OTHER. Complimentary strengths and weaknesses that when combined are unstoppable. Do you think Satan wants God to win? Absolutely not...
I have been dating some and during this process find many areas for opportunities in ministry. Unfortunately, temptation presents itself for my own sinful nature to be challenged as well. I go out there with the best intentions but faced with temptation along the way. It reminds me of one of the Twelve Steps from the Celebrate Recovery ministry: “We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.”
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12
We all have weaknesses...no human is immune. Each time a temptation arises, I just know if I can get past it my relationship with God will improve. He and me will become even closer, even stronger.
I spoke with a couple of Godly girlfriends about my weaknesses and gained insight from them. One told me if I feel that I am unable to get past the weakness I should pray like this, “God, I can't do this by myself. Please help.” She said God wants me to ask Him for help and I know she is right but I needed her to remind me and provide some direction.Many times when we are in the midst of our own dilemma the path is unclear. We need our support group and trusting accountability partners to slap us out of it occasionally. Satan never makes temptation easy to resist...it is always appealing. One must be willing to acknowledge our flaws!
Step One: "We admit we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable." I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18
Now I think about my weakness in this way - if I can be faithful to a man for 12 years during our dating and marriage, I should certainly be able to remain faithful to God. After all, God is fulfilling the husband position in my life at this time. In order for me to be the wife God intends for me to be someday I must be faithful to God first and foremost.
So, having said all of that to say – we need our church family and if you haven't found a church home please consider joining me where I go. We laugh, we cry but we never judge. The Pastor is so good at making every individual feel comfortable and welcome and he wants everyone to understand church is not for the sinless but rather...church is a hospital for the hurt.
How many of us have been brokenhearted due to marriages that end in divorce and the resulting baggage is loss of faith in marriage? Many, many men have given up hope on marriage and it is no longer considered sacred. Lets not forget who designed marriage...GOD DID.
A friend of mine nearly lost his life in '07 when involved in a motorcycle accident. The doctor's did not think he would make it through the night but he did. The doctor's did not think he would make it through a year, but he did. The doctor's never expected him to bodily function in a normal way again but after 3 years he is a walking miracle!
While recovering, his friends asked him if he would ever ride a motorcycle again. His response was, "After a car accident do you give up on cars? Are you going to go buy a horse and travel by horse everywhere you go?"
WOW!! That is an awesome response and he is so right! Likewise, even if you have been in marriage and it failed before...are you going to give up? I will never give up on marriage.
Just like God never gave up on US...lets never give up on HIM.
I know I always thought about “His image” in comparison with myself as, “Okay that's cool, I look like God.” But oh no!! That is not exactly what is meant in its entirety about how we have been created in His image.
I ask the reader to consider this: God created a whole lot of awesomeness but He created man in HIS IMAGE. That doesn't mean just in appearance that also means we have similar emotions. Additionally, just as God presides over the Heaven's; He has granted man with the authority for presiding over the Earth. None of His other creations have been granted such a privilege. What an honorable position to be in.
Can you believe it that God trusts us so much that he grants full authority over the Earth to man!? You know what that means don't you? GOD HAS FAITH IN US! He never gave up His faith in us either, EVEN AFTER man fell into sin. God STILL believed in us so much so that He sent His one and only son, Jesus to walk the Earth sinless and ultimately sacrifice His life for us. God literally created a loop hole for us because He believes in us so much.
Holy cow! I get chills thinking about that, and here is why...
As we know, based on life experiences in parenting and career, anyone with authority has a huge responsibility! When I go downstairs and my daughters remain upstairs, my 7 year old daughter asks, “Mommy, am I in charge?” I answer, “Yes, you are in charge.”
She gains a sense of pride knowing I trust her to ensure my 3 year old daughter doesn't do something stupid while I am not around.
How awesome it is to think of ourselves from God's perspective...He trusts us so much that we are responsible for ALL of His other creations. Take a look at this verse and think about that.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends IF you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:13-15
God has put us in charge and we must take accountability for this responsibility.
We are literally amidst a Spiritual warfare during our own walk's on Earth. Praise God we are not exposed to the same public ridicule for what we believe in this Country as in many Countries however, never doubt for a moment...we are indeed involved in a War.
I am so thankful for my friends, both the friends I encounter about my walk in the secular environment and my friends at church.
GOD knew that everyone needs
companionship and cheer,
He knew that people need someone
whose thoughts are always near.
He knew they need someone kind
to lend a helping hand.
Someone to gladly take the time
to care and understand.
GOD knew that we all need someone
to share each happy day,
to be a source of courage
when troubles come our way.
Someone to be true to us,
whether near or far apart.
Someone whose love we’ll always
hold and treasure in our hearts.
That’s Why GOD Gave Us Friends.
(Author unknown)
I have limited knowledge but God grants me understanding the closer I grow in relationship with Him...our personal, intimate relationship...just Him and me.The potential for my knowledge is unstoppable because I have tapped into a intimate friendship with the source!!
“[Ask, Seek, Knock] "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”- Matthew 7:7-8
I encounter many people out there on this Spiritual battlefield and although I am nothing more than a young warrior in my walk of faith, I can make a difference by sharing what I do know with the others and by conducting my life in such a way that REPRESENTS. I can teach others what its like to be a Believer and leave them completely unaware they were just informed. Its about consistency and to have that stability takes MUCH effort by reconnecting with my Father in Heaven daily. After all, we encounter Satan daily don't we? Sadly, often people do not even realize they are under attack by Satan. We are all in a different place in our individual walks of faith with the Lord.
We all know that teamwork has its challenges and we have heard the phrase, “There is no I in team.” Many times conflict arises among team members therefore resulting in drama.
Why is it that if teamwork is so difficult do employer's keep running business in this way? Well I'm glad you asked because there are answers! The benefit of teamwork is so great that it far outweighs the negative aspects.
Working together in a combined effort toward a common goal offers the exchange of idea's and affords us the opportunity to learn from each other and meet goals more efficiently and with a better final result. Truly intelligent people realize they do not already know everything.
Because this is the case in the business world, perhaps it is the same from a Spiritual perspective? True, being inside of a church makes us no more Christian than being inside of a garage makes us car's but we NEED our friends at church who are further a long in their walks of faith so we can ask questions and learn from them. We also need them for support because a re-connection with in our church family reminds us we are not alone!
It is no different than coming home to the warm embrace of a spouse and telling him or her about your day. My hope for your home is peace, love, contentment. Home is where you can lay aside the harsh, cruel, exhaustion from your walk in the world (the battlefield) and recuperate for the next day (battle).
As my Pastor once put it, “Is it no wonder Satan attacks relationships so much? We NEED each other so we can be prepared to do God's work.”
Men and women are designed in His Image AND, we are designed for EACH OTHER. Complimentary strengths and weaknesses that when combined are unstoppable. Do you think Satan wants God to win? Absolutely not...
I have been dating some and during this process find many areas for opportunities in ministry. Unfortunately, temptation presents itself for my own sinful nature to be challenged as well. I go out there with the best intentions but faced with temptation along the way. It reminds me of one of the Twelve Steps from the Celebrate Recovery ministry: “We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.”
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12
We all have weaknesses...no human is immune. Each time a temptation arises, I just know if I can get past it my relationship with God will improve. He and me will become even closer, even stronger.
I spoke with a couple of Godly girlfriends about my weaknesses and gained insight from them. One told me if I feel that I am unable to get past the weakness I should pray like this, “God, I can't do this by myself. Please help.” She said God wants me to ask Him for help and I know she is right but I needed her to remind me and provide some direction.Many times when we are in the midst of our own dilemma the path is unclear. We need our support group and trusting accountability partners to slap us out of it occasionally. Satan never makes temptation easy to resist...it is always appealing. One must be willing to acknowledge our flaws!
Step One: "We admit we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable." I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18
Now I think about my weakness in this way - if I can be faithful to a man for 12 years during our dating and marriage, I should certainly be able to remain faithful to God. After all, God is fulfilling the husband position in my life at this time. In order for me to be the wife God intends for me to be someday I must be faithful to God first and foremost.
So, having said all of that to say – we need our church family and if you haven't found a church home please consider joining me where I go. We laugh, we cry but we never judge. The Pastor is so good at making every individual feel comfortable and welcome and he wants everyone to understand church is not for the sinless but rather...church is a hospital for the hurt.
How many of us have been brokenhearted due to marriages that end in divorce and the resulting baggage is loss of faith in marriage? Many, many men have given up hope on marriage and it is no longer considered sacred. Lets not forget who designed marriage...GOD DID.
A friend of mine nearly lost his life in '07 when involved in a motorcycle accident. The doctor's did not think he would make it through the night but he did. The doctor's did not think he would make it through a year, but he did. The doctor's never expected him to bodily function in a normal way again but after 3 years he is a walking miracle!
While recovering, his friends asked him if he would ever ride a motorcycle again. His response was, "After a car accident do you give up on cars? Are you going to go buy a horse and travel by horse everywhere you go?"
WOW!! That is an awesome response and he is so right! Likewise, even if you have been in marriage and it failed before...are you going to give up? I will never give up on marriage.
Just like God never gave up on US...lets never give up on HIM.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Then and Later
I happened to be going through some old photo's when I reviewed some Cd's that had been created for back-up and found many pictures from when he and I were married, including video's from Christmas.
Thinking...well isn't this just the perfect day to reminisce about old days as we say farewell permanently to a dissolved twelve year relationship?
I guess the most prominent photo that caught my attention is this one of Desiree when she was about 6 to 8 months old. It made me think of how different my life is now versus that time and how little time has actually passed since then as she is only 3 1/2 years old now.
When we brought Desiree home from the hospital she was transported by Chevrolet Tahoe to my dream home. A 3000 square foot log home with a wrap around front porch, two living areas, formal dining, 3 bedrooms and a bonus room. All on 3 acres in a country setting just off of a dirt road with horses pastures all about. The nursery was prepared, everything appeared in order.
Having formally separated shortly after this picture was taken, the girls and I relocated to the city where Ryan switched schools and we moved into a 1400 sqaure foot condo. Turning over the Tahoe, I purchased a small car.
The material pocessions relinquished, financial security banished, safety unsecured....it took a lot of courage to do what I did. Ultimately, sacrificing everything for peace in our home whether it be a mansion or a shack...peace is priceless.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Ryan & Desiree Introduce Mommy to "The Puppy Game"
“The Puppy Game”
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday mornings I usually get up before the girls and make biscuits and eggs for breakfast. It is the only day of the week we have time for a homemade breakfast at home, so I try to make it special. After breakfast, as I was cleaning the kitchen and the Disney movie the girls were watching ended, I peeked out of the kitchen to see what the kids were up to and saw them kiss. It is so nice to see they love each other, then I got kisses and Ryan asked me if we could play “The Puppy Game.”
They really get into puppy stuff. They always ask me if they can be my puppies. It’s like I have puppies instead of little girls. They crawl around with their tongues hanging out and they lick each other. Oh dear, I know. They bark all the time. Ryan thinks I am allergic to dogs for some reason. I am not sure where she got this idea. That is why we do not have a real dog though apparently.
I joined them in the living room and as I lay down on the floor I asked, “How does this game go?” Ryan said, “We are the puppies.” And then they began to demonstrate.
“And I am the one that gets wallered all over?” I asked. Soon, we were in a full blown wrestling match! Two ferocious “puppies” attacking me. They stood side by side and growled at me before attacking and I said, “I’m scared.” And that wasn’t far from the truth! The girls know just where to jab and pounce to cut off all my circulation and air flow and they know right where my hernia is. Of course they do not hurt me intentionally.
My girls had such a good time! I’m not sure that I would have made it out alive had I not curled into a ball there at the end. I inhaled a bit of fresh air and realizing I was free, got up and said, “Oh good, I’m free.” Ryan said, “Yeah, I had to help you, I thought you were crying.” We all laughed.
I do not recall wrestling with my mom like that when I was a kid. I think maybe this is me doing the daddy part too. You hear of single parents taking on the role of both parents. I told Desiree she is my little Yorkie because she is so tiny and on the go all the time…oh and she will still potty in the house even though she is house broken. Ryan is my Golden Retriever because she is loving but likes to be free.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
I may have an unusual idea of what is beautiful...
Abandoned, old, farm, dusk
Originally uploaded by Christina G. Grigg
One day in ’09 my daughters and I were going for a drive, exploring new parts of Bella Vista, Arkansas and beyond. Listening to music with the top down on the convertible, daydreaming and enjoying a lovely summer day when we came upon this building.
I suppose it may be the combination of my personal interests that make this scene special to me, as I love history and architecture.
Sometimes I have come across old structures that were clearly used for business purposes by design but since their days of glory having long ago expired, the owners have either let the buildings lay abandoned or they are used for other purposes.
Interestingly, many of these structures stand with their original signs intact, although somewhat off kilter and faded. As one might imagine, over the years weather has beaten these buildings often.
The buildings are positioned in such a way to accommodate what was likely used as the main street during that time.
As I stand amongst history, whether it be an abandoned town, the Smithsonian museum or a battlefield…my mind escapes to what life must have been like then. These are the moments I enter a state of calm.
When touring a museum where a war took place, looking at the type of currency they used, the types of guns they used the food the people ate, it is amazing how much more difficult life was then.
I walk the trail through the woods leading to the battlefield. Reading the names on the plaque that is displayed there and running my fingers across what are now only words but represent those who gave their lives here.
Then, looking up across the field…
Friday, January 8, 2010
Electronic Medical Records? Not if I have anything to do about it...
I was born in 1979. I can recall when the VCR first came out and when the microwave oven was introduced to society; two inventions impacting the family and making life more convenient for generations to come. I remember getting an electronic type writer for one of my birthdays and this was the most exciting thing ever! Prior to receiving the typewriter, I wrote all of my stories by pen and paper. Oh, and lets not forget when Nintendo was developed.
Society has only continued to progress in the electronic/technology industry over the years, adapting to popular culture. In my opinion, progress for the greater good in general is always in the best interest of society.
On the other hand, considering the “Health Information Technology” (HIT) aspect of the health care reform involving our personal medical records, I am opposed to implementing more technology. Claims for more effective transcription and documentation of information, safer record retrieval, scheduling, coordination of care, improved communication, reduced medical errors due to adverse events in prescriptions and medication instructions and reduced admin costs through electronic claims adjudication only translates to one thing to me: my personal medical information is going to be all over the internet and this violates my rights according to the U.S. Constitution.
Yes, technology has its benefits…but I won’t be brain washed into believing it’s better than human beings.
Society has only continued to progress in the electronic/technology industry over the years, adapting to popular culture. In my opinion, progress for the greater good in general is always in the best interest of society.
On the other hand, considering the “Health Information Technology” (HIT) aspect of the health care reform involving our personal medical records, I am opposed to implementing more technology. Claims for more effective transcription and documentation of information, safer record retrieval, scheduling, coordination of care, improved communication, reduced medical errors due to adverse events in prescriptions and medication instructions and reduced admin costs through electronic claims adjudication only translates to one thing to me: my personal medical information is going to be all over the internet and this violates my rights according to the U.S. Constitution.
Yes, technology has its benefits…but I won’t be brain washed into believing it’s better than human beings.
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Ten Commandments vs. Rule of Law
The Ten Commandments are the best Rule of Law to go by. Having said that, society as a whole has accomplished manipulation of the system in such a way that determining the Rule of Law is not a straight forward process.
When we speak of the “law” we are really talking about the combination of a sum total of the constitutions, statutes, ordinances, executive orders, treaties, regulations, and judicial decisions. The sum total of all these elements as they coexist at any point in time is therefore, extremely complex, somewhat uncertain, always dynamic, and sometimes self-contradictory. All of these matters are occurring all over the nation in multiple jurisdictions simultaneously and sometimes one judge may rule in favor of the plaintiff on a matter when another judge rules in favor of the defendant on a very similar matter by comparison.
Laws are re-visited and modified on a consistent basis due to new circumstances that arise in accordance with events never before seen.
In the first year of law school studies are based primarily on case law and debate. Case law is an effective way to research history and develop judgment for what the “Rule of Law” is. Researching “Authority” is part of developing a case brief before any trial and part of representing a client in general to gain an understanding for the case. There are several different types of Authority an attorney must research including, actual, apparent, constructive, express, general, implied, incidental, inherent, naked, special, supervisory, constituted, adverse, imperative, persuasive, primary and secondary. I won’t go into details about each, but each different type is relative to specific evidence/facts. This is why attorneys choose specialty area’s of business to work in, because it is hard work just doing the research portion on each matter. Additionally, this is an excellent way to AVOID basing justice on society’s belief system because we look at the facts set forth by decisions previously made establishing “case” law. The research of all points of Authority does not stop until all facts are pointing to the same core Rule of Law because along the way, one will find many facts contradicting their case.
Here is a case study in point to provide an example for what I mean:
Dennis is a 10-year-old boy who is always getting into trouble. Everyone in the neighborhood knows Dennis; they’ve actually nicknamed him “The Menace.” Mr. Wilson lives right next door to Dennis and has posted a large “No Trespassing” sign in his front yard to keep Dennis out. He also yells at Dennis to “Stay out!” whenever he sees Dennis walk by his house. All of the other neighbors have fences to keep Dennis out of their yards, but Mr. Wilson never put one up. Mr. Wilson decided to build a pool in his backyard. The pool builders, Pools R Us, came and dug a 20 foot long, 8 foot deep hole for the pool. After the workers went home, Dennis decided to investigate the new project. He walks over but then trips over a shovel one of the workers mistakenly left in the yard and falls into the hole. Mr. Wilson hears Dennis yell for help and puts a ladder in the hole so he can climb out. Dennis has a couple of bruises and minor cuts, but otherwise seems to be unharmed.
So, let’s look at this from a Ten Commandment perspective. Who is liable for damages? Is there anyone liable?
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.' – This doesn’t apply here.
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.' – This doesn’t apply here.
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.' – This doesn’t apply here.
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.' – This doesn’t apply here.
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.' – Mr. Wilson is not Dennis’ father or mother.
SIX: 'You shall not murder.' – This doesn’t apply here.
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.' – This doesn’t apply here.
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.' – Dennis didn’t steal anything.
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.' – Dennis was not witnessing to Mr. Wilson.
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.' – This is the commandment that does apply. According to this, Dennis should not have trespassed to begin with. Sounds pretty simple, right?
What about the contributing factors though…should Dennis’s parents want to sue Mr. Wilson and Pools R Us for their son’s medical bills and emotional distress caused by the accident? Mr. Wilson didn’t have a fence up like all of the other neighbors do.
First, although Dennis was trespassing on private party, because he is a minor his parents DO have legal standing to sue Mr. Wilson.
Second, the court will need to determine if it was Mr. Wilson’s negligence or the construction company’s negligence that caused the injury. After all, had the shovel not been laying there for Dennis to trip over he may not have fell into that hole, right? According to common law doctrine (Contributory Negligence) providing a plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to the harm suffered by the plaintiff then the plaintiff cannot recover damages against the defendant for that harm."
Third, there are laws that can hold parents responsible for their irresponsible children - who generally have learned to be irresponsible due to irresponsible parenting. Those laws may come into play on these facts, but only if the jurisdiction has such laws. If those laws do come into play the court will need to establish whether or not the parents, child, neighbor, Construction Company, and possibly a neighborhood organization committee were acting in a manner a “reasonable person” would be expected to. I quote “reasonable person” because this is a legal standard for a hypothetical person. A person who exercises the degree of attention, knowledge, intelligence, and judgment that society requires of its members for the protection of their own and of others’ interests. The reasonable person acts sensibly, does things without serious delay, and takes proper but not excessive precautions.
Note, Mr. Wilson is adding a swimming pool and it is common to have a legal requirement to fence in a pool. The reason for such a law is to protect the general public from harm. This same reason - if not similar laws - cause construction sites to be roped, fenced, or otherwise guerdoned off so as to protect the pubic. Here, Mr. Wilson's yard was the construction site.
As you can see, Dennis should have stayed away, as told and in accordance with the Ten Commandments. But Mr. Wilson and Pools R Us may have been under a legal duty to secure the construction area where the pool was being installed. If under such a legal duty, then the breach of that duty would cause Mr. Wilson and/or Pools R Us to be liable for harms resulting from that breach of duty.
In summary, an Attractive Nuisance is property that is inherently dangerous and particularly enticing to children. The pool that Mr. Wilson was having built was attractive to Dennis. Children are very curious. Mr. Wilson should have taken the appropriate measures to prevent accidents. Whether it would have been Dennis or someone else that would have been on his property even with permission. He should have had a fence built around the pool area where he was building the pool.
Dennis parents can in fact sue for Damages. Damages is money awarded by the common law courts for civil wrongs. In both contract and tort law damages are the courts calculation of what it would cost to put the Plaintiff back into the position he/she would have been in but for the wrong. The Damages in this case would be the Medical bills that the family had to incur unrepentantly due to the physical injuries their son incurred.
The Tort involved here would be a civil claim for the wrongful act of Mr. Wilson, which constituted negligence that resulted in the harm of Dennis. Negligence would be the failure to do what a reasonably prudent person would ordinarily have done to prevent foreseeable harm to another under the circumstances.
When we speak of the “law” we are really talking about the combination of a sum total of the constitutions, statutes, ordinances, executive orders, treaties, regulations, and judicial decisions. The sum total of all these elements as they coexist at any point in time is therefore, extremely complex, somewhat uncertain, always dynamic, and sometimes self-contradictory. All of these matters are occurring all over the nation in multiple jurisdictions simultaneously and sometimes one judge may rule in favor of the plaintiff on a matter when another judge rules in favor of the defendant on a very similar matter by comparison.
Laws are re-visited and modified on a consistent basis due to new circumstances that arise in accordance with events never before seen.
In the first year of law school studies are based primarily on case law and debate. Case law is an effective way to research history and develop judgment for what the “Rule of Law” is. Researching “Authority” is part of developing a case brief before any trial and part of representing a client in general to gain an understanding for the case. There are several different types of Authority an attorney must research including, actual, apparent, constructive, express, general, implied, incidental, inherent, naked, special, supervisory, constituted, adverse, imperative, persuasive, primary and secondary. I won’t go into details about each, but each different type is relative to specific evidence/facts. This is why attorneys choose specialty area’s of business to work in, because it is hard work just doing the research portion on each matter. Additionally, this is an excellent way to AVOID basing justice on society’s belief system because we look at the facts set forth by decisions previously made establishing “case” law. The research of all points of Authority does not stop until all facts are pointing to the same core Rule of Law because along the way, one will find many facts contradicting their case.
Here is a case study in point to provide an example for what I mean:
Dennis is a 10-year-old boy who is always getting into trouble. Everyone in the neighborhood knows Dennis; they’ve actually nicknamed him “The Menace.” Mr. Wilson lives right next door to Dennis and has posted a large “No Trespassing” sign in his front yard to keep Dennis out. He also yells at Dennis to “Stay out!” whenever he sees Dennis walk by his house. All of the other neighbors have fences to keep Dennis out of their yards, but Mr. Wilson never put one up. Mr. Wilson decided to build a pool in his backyard. The pool builders, Pools R Us, came and dug a 20 foot long, 8 foot deep hole for the pool. After the workers went home, Dennis decided to investigate the new project. He walks over but then trips over a shovel one of the workers mistakenly left in the yard and falls into the hole. Mr. Wilson hears Dennis yell for help and puts a ladder in the hole so he can climb out. Dennis has a couple of bruises and minor cuts, but otherwise seems to be unharmed.
So, let’s look at this from a Ten Commandment perspective. Who is liable for damages? Is there anyone liable?
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.' – This doesn’t apply here.
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.' – This doesn’t apply here.
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.' – This doesn’t apply here.
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.' – This doesn’t apply here.
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.' – Mr. Wilson is not Dennis’ father or mother.
SIX: 'You shall not murder.' – This doesn’t apply here.
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.' – This doesn’t apply here.
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.' – Dennis didn’t steal anything.
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.' – Dennis was not witnessing to Mr. Wilson.
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.' – This is the commandment that does apply. According to this, Dennis should not have trespassed to begin with. Sounds pretty simple, right?
What about the contributing factors though…should Dennis’s parents want to sue Mr. Wilson and Pools R Us for their son’s medical bills and emotional distress caused by the accident? Mr. Wilson didn’t have a fence up like all of the other neighbors do.
First, although Dennis was trespassing on private party, because he is a minor his parents DO have legal standing to sue Mr. Wilson.
Second, the court will need to determine if it was Mr. Wilson’s negligence or the construction company’s negligence that caused the injury. After all, had the shovel not been laying there for Dennis to trip over he may not have fell into that hole, right? According to common law doctrine (Contributory Negligence) providing a plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to the harm suffered by the plaintiff then the plaintiff cannot recover damages against the defendant for that harm."
Third, there are laws that can hold parents responsible for their irresponsible children - who generally have learned to be irresponsible due to irresponsible parenting. Those laws may come into play on these facts, but only if the jurisdiction has such laws. If those laws do come into play the court will need to establish whether or not the parents, child, neighbor, Construction Company, and possibly a neighborhood organization committee were acting in a manner a “reasonable person” would be expected to. I quote “reasonable person” because this is a legal standard for a hypothetical person. A person who exercises the degree of attention, knowledge, intelligence, and judgment that society requires of its members for the protection of their own and of others’ interests. The reasonable person acts sensibly, does things without serious delay, and takes proper but not excessive precautions.
Note, Mr. Wilson is adding a swimming pool and it is common to have a legal requirement to fence in a pool. The reason for such a law is to protect the general public from harm. This same reason - if not similar laws - cause construction sites to be roped, fenced, or otherwise guerdoned off so as to protect the pubic. Here, Mr. Wilson's yard was the construction site.
As you can see, Dennis should have stayed away, as told and in accordance with the Ten Commandments. But Mr. Wilson and Pools R Us may have been under a legal duty to secure the construction area where the pool was being installed. If under such a legal duty, then the breach of that duty would cause Mr. Wilson and/or Pools R Us to be liable for harms resulting from that breach of duty.
In summary, an Attractive Nuisance is property that is inherently dangerous and particularly enticing to children. The pool that Mr. Wilson was having built was attractive to Dennis. Children are very curious. Mr. Wilson should have taken the appropriate measures to prevent accidents. Whether it would have been Dennis or someone else that would have been on his property even with permission. He should have had a fence built around the pool area where he was building the pool.
Dennis parents can in fact sue for Damages. Damages is money awarded by the common law courts for civil wrongs. In both contract and tort law damages are the courts calculation of what it would cost to put the Plaintiff back into the position he/she would have been in but for the wrong. The Damages in this case would be the Medical bills that the family had to incur unrepentantly due to the physical injuries their son incurred.
The Tort involved here would be a civil claim for the wrongful act of Mr. Wilson, which constituted negligence that resulted in the harm of Dennis. Negligence would be the failure to do what a reasonably prudent person would ordinarily have done to prevent foreseeable harm to another under the circumstances.
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