Read: "Lieberman: I Want a Cabinet Spot."
Though I don't necessarily disagree with his position.
]]>A company-wide email was sent today regarding a new health plan, and a string of replies to all followed. I found the first few annoying, but each since has left me in tears from laughing so hard. Here are the replies. These went to everyone in the company, mind you, including VPs and probably the President. Names have been removed to protect the stupid.
I don't think its fair to penalize someone who goes to the dr. twice a year, walks 4 miles a day and swims 3 times a week.
Amen to that.
I must be missing something. I don't see anything about penalties. Please explain.
STOP REPLYING TO ALL !!!!!! EOM
why not reply to all, what is wrong with an open discussion?
Because you are supposed to be working!
Because most of us have work to do and don't want to see it!!!!
Stay out of this Joel.
yes please stop replying to all!!!!!! or at least take me out of your list!!!!
The 'reply to all' is a notice of this increase noted in this email.... Carol was making sure we ALL caught on to this increase. She apparently exercises and has minimal health care needs, but she is being "penalized" by this increase when she has not had any decrease in her own wellness. For those you who have work to do and may not have had a moment to really read this health email ... She did you a benefit in pointing this out.
That's my point exactly about this whole program. I don't have time to be filling out surveys and taking blood tests during work hours.
Yet you have time to read and write about the subject. . . . .
Yes...she has time to read and briefly comment on the subject. In case you didn't realize blood tests and surveys are slightly more time consuming then skimming over an email.
It is time to invoke two of our core values...
We Value People
We Trust and Respect Each Other
Thank You!!!!
It's time we start speaking out and talking to each other about these issues that are impacting us...
Look people, I don't know who most of you are and I sure don't appreciate getting 50 thousands e-mails about something that does not affect me.
]]>April 13: What to do when Your Burden is Overwhelming
“Cast your burden on the Lord…” Psalm 55:22
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him – to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord…” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sand end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord…” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “…the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
]]>I really, really don't want to have to go down there and see those kids in that position again. Adults can shoot themselves in the foot all they want and deal with the consequences. Just don't do it to the kids.
]]>I was your only granddaughter.
You told me more than once
about the day I was born.
How you had a meeting,
And when the group was asked
if there were any additional items,
you stood
and announced my arrival.
Years later, you still beamed with pride,
just recalling that day.
You could hardly contain your affection.
You sent me cards
signed with Xs and Os,
For birthdays, Valentine’s Day,
and even Halloween.
When we came to visit,
you would always be waiting for our arrival,
watching as we pulled into the driveway,
and then waving as later we pulled away,
savoring every last second of our visit.
When it was just you and me,
you took me on the bus,
gave me quarters to pay the driver,
let me pull the string at our stop.
Took me to Lake Lavern
to feed the swans and ducks bread crumbs.
Brought me to the mall
with the fountain,
so grand to a girl of my stature.
Bought me coloring books
and ice cream.
Taught me pig Latin:
“Iway Ovelay Ouyay.”
Teased, “Want me to sing to you?”
We had some good jokes, didn’t we?
When I walked in to see you last,
My arrival must have been a surprise.
Your eyes lit up.
“Meggie, you’re so pretty.”
I would dry your tears forever.
Sit by your bed,
watch you sleep peacefully,
hold your hand.
But I know
there’s a light at the end of this tunnel
for you.
And you have someone who loves you
even more than I
to wipe away
the last tear
you’ll ever cry.
God, am I ever going to heal? I feel stuck. Have I learned whatever it is you needed to teach me yet? Is there anything I can do to stop the constant onslaught of pain? What about that popular verse in Psalms that says that if we trust in you, then you will give us the desires of our heart? Was I not trusting you? How am I supposed to trust you again? You know how much this hurts. You could have stopped it. Why? I thought I knew you. I thought I understood you. But nothing makes sense anymore. Nothing is as real as the constant pain. Where is the rescue? Where is the deliverance? All of the explanations fall short. I'm tired of trying to make sense of why you would let this happen to me. Do I even bother to cry out for help yet again? I have no alternative. Help, God. Pull me out of the pain.
Chapters 11-19 reminded me that I'm not the only one who has felt completely disillusioned with life, drowning in pain, and desperate for rescue. Not only that, but Job was blameless and upright (1:1), yet was vocal in his fury at God for inflicting misery on him.
Another aspect of these chapters that struck me was how Job seems to toggle between accusing God of injustice and articulating that his faith remains in tact. I've noticed myself doing this also. It's a tug of war between first, the Biblical truth that has been ingrained into me regarding God's sovereignty and love, and second, the circumstances I'm experiencing that don't seem to make sense through that filter.
I'll let Job do the rest of the talking.
In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.
-12:10
Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved;
and if I refrain, it does not go away.
Surely, O God, you have worn me out;
you have devastated my entire household.
-16:6-7
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
-16:19
My days have passed, my plans are shattered,
and so are the desires of my heart.
-17:11
Though I cry, 'I've been wronged!' I get no response;
though I call for help, there is no justice.
-19:7
He tears me down on every side till I am gone;
he uproots my hope like a tree.
-19:10
I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him with my own eyes -- I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
-19:25-27
Next stop: Kohl's. No Hanes in sight. But I wasn't about to surrender.
Onward to ShopKo. Victory! I grab the package off the rack with a shriek of delight. Hurriedly, I search for more. There's another! And another! I hug five packages of the same size and style to my chest with one arm while scouring the racks for more of the same with my free arm.
Once convinced that all available merchandise is in my possession, I stop to think. All five contain the same variety of color and design. No matter. This may be my last chance ever to live in comfort. All five go into the cart and through the checkout lane.
$37.40 later, one thing is certain -- I have succeeded at postponing the inevitable.
]]>Some things should never change.
Take hair products. Shampoo, conditioner, gel, serum, balm -- bathroom cabinets full of barely-used bottles tell the tale of trial and error. Once a successful product is discovered, as sure as the sun rises in the East, it will not be on the shelves once the original container is empty.
Another item with which one should not mess is underwear. Once one finds a comfortable style, one purchases said style repeatedly. Yet the underwear manufacturers of the world continue the research and development process to keep some poor marketer employed. And the next time one, for whatever reason, is in need of additional underwear, styles have changed, and the old favorite is nowhere to be found.
What is a person to do? I've determined that stockpiling is the only reasonable solution. The next time I find the perfect hair gel, (how could Suave eliminate the green aloe #7 extra hold from it's product line?) I plan to buy out the entire stock of all local retailers. So if you see me at Wal-Mart pushing a cart piled high with Hanes or Pantene, watch out, because I'm on a mission to conquer change.
]]>Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love He sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spread'st a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and O what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never:
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever.
-Henry Baker
]]>When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
"Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Selah
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah
The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
John Eldridge says that our lives are a story. And within that story lies our life message.
Max Lucado says that your story is still being written.
Rick Warren says that you have a storehouse of experiences that God wants to use to bring others into his family.
In his book "Epic," John Eldridge says that God is the author and main character. You're not the main character.
Heb. 12:2 - God is the author and perfecter of our faith.
In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -(Missed the verse reference.)
God shows up. He goes with you. He gives you grace. And He blesses you.
John Piper says that the aim of God in your challenge (cancer for him), among a thousand other things, is to knock the props out of you and from under your heart so you rely utterly and totally on Him.
Some more of the thousand other things:
-The nearness of God is my good. Nothing else.
-Trust the Lord.
-Develops faith.
-Develops worship & prayer life.
-Draws us closer to God.
1 Peter 4:12 - Don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes upon you.
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
This is challenge is God's curriculum/boot camp/training to make us fit for God's use in the world.
To get us desperate for God.
Proof that God wants to use you.
Moses persevered because he saw him who is invisible - Hebrews 11:27b
John Piper said that you will waste your challenge if you do not believe it is designed for you. You will waste it if you believe it is a curse and not a gift. You will waste it if you don't treasure Christ above all else. (Note: not sure if I agree with the idea that God sends "challenges" specifically for us. Thinking that some challenges are simply the result of living in a fallen world. See post on "When God Doesn't Make Sense.)
God is most glorified when we are most satisfied with Him.
God will use this to make you treasure Him the most.
Without God, nothing makes sense.
What brings us to Christ? That we're sinners. That we're horrible at life. It brings us to the cross. It brings us to the blood of Christ.
The challenge becomes your ministry.
God is sovereign. God is good.
Submit and surrender to the author. Let Him do whatever he wants with your life.
Proverbs 20:24 - A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.