Being Politically Correct

I'm not a high profile political person. I have my views and I repost some things on Face Book occasionally, but I have never really tried to engage in conversation with the intent of changing anyone's  mind. One thing that does bother me is the ever-increasing political correctness (PC) movement. I believe that in the beginning there were people with good ideas and good intentions, but now it seems like being PC is considered to be part of our United States Constitution.
 I'm not a scholar, but I have glanced through the initial laws of the land and I cannot find where it says that anyone has the right to "not be offended". I know that there are laws governing libel and slander, those are not the same as having your feelings hurt. We do have the right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution



One of the most recent spectacles concerns the Washington Redskins football team. Bob Costas has started a trend of scolding football fans during halftime of two NFL games. We all have the constitutional right to express our opinion, even Bob Costas, but many times there are repercussions. I know that on TV we have the fashion police, criticizing or praising what "important" people wear and we have the PC police doing the same. I think they both belong in the same category. Just a handful of people who believe that their opinions carry more weight than all others.

http://youtu.be/FGK8IC-bGnU

A married couple, both 60 years old, were celebrating their 35th anniversary. 
During their party, an angel appeared to congratulate them and grant them each a blessing. The wife wanted to travel around the world. The angel waved her hand and instantly the wife had 2 tickets in her hand for a world cruise. Next, the Angel asked the husband what he wanted. He said, "I would like a wife 30 years younger than me." So the Angel lifted her hand and the husband instantly became 90.

Much love, Dennis

Psalm 23

The last 7-10 days have been a roller coaster ride. I really enjoyed speaking to the FCA and meeting an amazing young man, Tyler Zander. He talked about his faith, forgiveness, and what he is doing now.

I've also spent some time pondering several situations currently on my mind. I won't go into specifics, but it seems like Satan has been working overtime in the lives of my family and friends. There are some things that all I can do is pray and there are other situations that make me want to retaliate in some form. I know that we are to cast our cares to the Lord, but sometimes I just want to go back under the Law and say "an eye for an eye". It's very hard when someone you care about has been wronged but I know that the battle belongs to the Lord.
In this world we will have trials and tribulations. I just have to remember that we are going through the Valley and not setting up camp.

A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

And now for something completely different
A couple had two little mischievous boys, ages 8 and 10. They were always getting into trouble, and their parents knew that if any mischief occurred in their town, their sons would get the blame. 

The boys' mother heard that a clergyman in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The clergyman agreed and asked to see them individually.

So, the mother sent her 8-year-old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the clergyman in the afternoon. 

The clergyman, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, "Where is God?"

They boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there with his mouth hanging open.

The clergyman repeated the question. "Where is God?"

Again, the boy made no attempt to answer.

So, the clergyman raised his voice some more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, "Where is God!?"

The boy screamed and bolted from the room. He ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him.

When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, "What happened?" 

The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied: "We are in real BIG trouble this time! God is missing, and they think we did it!"

Much Love, Dennis

Tyler Zander

Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to meet Tyler Zander. He was the keynote speaker at a FCA rally. He shared his story and how his relationship with God allowed him to overcome many obstacles that he has faced since August of 2011. His lower body was crushed and the doctors didn't expect him to make it. Just a few months after his accident Tyler was walking with crutches. Although the doctors were able to save his life, he lost his right leg up to his hip. That did not slow Tyler down at all, he graduated with his class as Valedictorian. He is now a sophomore at Oklahoma State University. When he is not involved in school activities he speaks about his faith to Church groups, FCA, civic organizations and in schools.Through his journey to recovery, he said that-Joshua 1:9 kept him strong.
It says ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,"

I would like to leave you with a couple of short videos featuring Tyler. I expect that we will be seeing and hearing great things from this young man. To me, he reminds me of Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony 
http://youtu.be/At54PrxWRhA


http://youtu.be/_puC81smKaw

And now for something completely different. A Pastor at a church told everyone who needed prayer to come to the front. There was a long line to see him. It was a scruffy looking man's turn in line and he said he needed prayer for his hearing. 

So, the Pastor grabbed his ears and said a prayer. 

The Pastor let go and asked, "hows your hearing now''.

"I don't know replied the man... it's not till Friday," 
Much Love, Dennis

My Niece at Homecoming

I'm very proud to show off some pictures of my niece, Karley Boyer. She was the Sophomore Homecoming Queen Attendant at last Friday night's homecoming. The weather played a factor, but as you can see it did not dampen the smiles of Karley and her family. Game time was moved up to 6 PM because of incoming heavy rain and lightning. The football game was basically over at halftime with Fairview amassing a huge lead after two quarters. The homecoming ceremony was at halftime and was completed just a few minutes before the storm hit. Because of the huge disparity on the scoreboard Fairview was declared the winner and no second half was played.

As you can see Karley has grown up in the last few years. She was stunning in her gown, but I couldn't resist posting some pictures from just a few years ago.

much love, Dennis

Cheri's Point of View

Here is Cheri' is take on our trip to the OKC bombing Memorial

http://cheri-scicaregiving.blogspot.com/2013/10/quad-wife-confessions-road-trip-behind.html

much love, Dennis

Vacation Time

In my last post I talked in general about the bombing Memorial and our lunch at a well-known and highly recommended restaurant. Today I'm going to give some specifics and I know that some will say or think that I am a religious fanatic or a holy roller, but believe there is a God in heaven and there is Satan and evil that oppose anything good here on earth. He tried to steal our joy, but it did not work!

First of all we had planned on going to OKC Monday or Tuesday. The weather outlook was not in our favor, so we decided to shoot for Thursday. Once again last-minute changes, but Friday morning we loaded up with the many essentials that I have to travel with. We were still in the driveway when my pacer battery alarm went off. Normally the first warning gives you six hours until the second warning and after the second warning  2-4 hours before it runs out and quits. (Meaning no stimulation to my diaphragm). We always carry a second pacer with a new battery and a spare battery in my backpack. Therefore we weren't too concerned about the alarm.
We met with Rubena  (family friend) and went to the restaurant. Cheri's mother was staying the weekend with her.
You have seen the ADA ramp, actually it was not a problem for me. We were seated and had a super nice waitress take care of us. We all ordered and the food arrived quickly. Cheri and I were anxious to get to the museum, so we skipped the coconut cream pie,

however Cheri's mother decided that she needed to try it. To make a long story short, she had a bout with food poisoning for about six hours. I'm so glad we skipped dessert.
Once we arrived at the museum, we unloaded the essentials and stored the extra pacer in a secure spot. The inside of the Memorial starts on the third floor and you navigate down through the second floor. There are many hours worth of exhibits. We went through the third floor, took the elevator to the second floor and my pacer alarm went off. No big deal, we've got several hours to view the rest of the Memorial before getting to the van and changing it out for the new pacer. 10 minutes later the alarm sounded. We stopped at a spot where Cheri could sit down and just change out the battery with the spare. Spare was changed and immediately the alarm went off…battery dead. I'm able to breathe on my own for a few minutes, so battery changes are not a big deal. She put the old battery back in and headed for the van.

 Once we were at the van Cheri discovered that she did not have the keys. Fortunately we always have a spare key on the van for just such emergencies. We surmised that when she was changing out the batteries on the second floor that the car keys were misplaced on the bench. We did get in the van, started it up and replaced the entire pacer with the spare. Once she retrieved the spare pacer, the keys were laying near it. PTL 
I'm sure I left out a few details, but throughout this whole ordeal neither Cheri or I lost our cool and allowed Satan to steal the joy of each moment. The only drawback is at some time we will need to return to finish our tour.
Much Love, Dennis

Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial

I've had a very eventful week. My plans have changed nearly every day, but Cheri and I still enjoyed having the week together. Most of the time just doing "stuff". Friday we ended up at the OKC Bombing Memorial. She is writing about that on her blog. I'm going to make a link so you can get her perspective.
http://cheri-scicaregiving.blogspot.com/

 Satan loves to steal joy. I know from experience. I'm sure that he is going to be tired and frustrated soon, because what used to work doesn't work anymore. I am an over comer and I overcome all evil but the blood of the lamb, Jesus, and the word of my testimony.

We had a great time in spite of several small bumps and made it home safely.
We ate lunch at a restaurant that has been in Del City for a long time. I could tell by the new concrete that they had just recently complied with some ADA regulations. I noticed this on the way in and I'm glad that I didn't have to rely upon this handrail for support.

Did you notice the duct tape holding the rail to the bottom pole?

Much love, Dennis