I was watching Oprah yesterday, and she did a show on living without what we consider basic parts of our everyday life, for seven days. She challenged families to go without their televisions, video games, computers and cell phones for seven days and see how they faired. I started to think how impossible it would be to live without my phone and laptop for one day, let alone seven days. How could anyone be expected to go without these necessities for a whole week?! I use my cell phone as my only source of communication outside of home and am on the computer several times a day. And then my thought process went farther. I thought deeper about things I couldn’t live without, or better yet, things I could live without.
I could live without wondering where the money is going to come from for my basic bills, where I’m going to get the funds to pay for groceries, gas, and clothes for my ever growing children. While the price of everything rises, my check stays the same. I could live without type I diabetes, which both my husband and little sister have, and the several insulin injections they have to take daily until there is a cure. As a matter of fact, I could deal without anybody suffering from any disease at all. I could live without war and violence amongst brothering tribes and countries and the “war” we have daily in our own country amongst our neighbors. The racism, sexism and just pure hatred of our fellow man. I could live without the water and food shortages all over the world including right here in our own communities. I could live without the human slave trade where not only adults, but children are being sold as sex slaves. There are a lot of things I could live without, but it basically boils down to this: I could live without famine, war, disease, depression, loneliness and heartache for not only me, but human kind all over the world. If giving up my cell phone or computer for just one week, or even for the rest of my life, would end all of these things, I would do it. But I know it won’t, so the only solution I have to start this process is to pray. Pray unceasingly, every day for God to intervene and bless our world. From there, each of us has to make a decision as to what we are willing to give up to help ourselves and each other, because that is all we have.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Common Threads
Do you ever look at the 6.77 billion people on the Earth, take a moment to think about someone on the far side of the globe opposite you, and wonder what common threads might bind you? With the various customs and cultures that differ from our own, how are we united? As we hopefully are aware of the many differences, people in general surprise us because of their unique individuality. Each person, having their own independent thoughts, desires, likes and dislikes, aspirations, and life goals, are similar and yet so very distinctive. While someone in the same restaurant takes a bite at the exact moment as you, what is the chance that a person dining 4,000 miles away is doing the same? These endless questions are truly fascinating and can no doubt consume the curious full-time.
People are certainly exceptional individuals. When striking up a conversation with a complete stranger, what details immediately come to mind? For me, I prefer to ask someone about his interests. Once you know they are speaking about a subject that they enjoy, it gives the opportunity to see a glimpse into their affections and passions. While in dialog, I am enthralled by accents of people, which give a clue as to their background. When you discover what location that person is from, it becomes easy to find out where they grew up. What was their neighborhood like? What about their home life? An individual’s history is amazing! I am captivated by their vocabulary and the way that phrases are presented. Pleasant conversation is a priceless gem when it is had. It’s a joy to leave someone and find yourself pondering thoughts discussed. Decoding the mystery of someone unknown and developing a friendship can be an exciting adventure.
Of course there are times when you start talking with people and get completely lost. That too can be an interesting occurrence. My wife reminded me of these awkward instances, one of which she recently endured. She was visiting with a colleague at her workplace and started discussing artistic views of paintings, drawings, and sculptures. These topics always seem simple enough. You mention some of your favorites and then capture items of theirs and move to another topic. In theory, this interesting small talk paves the way for the possible building blocks of friendship. You learn small likes and then more interesting subject matter is given birth. And then it happened. This gentleman began a trek into discussing the space-time continuum, gravity, anti-matter and then properties related to quantum physics. She was flustered immediately. And as the man began speaking more intently, she momentarily thought he might be joking. Quickly she returned to reality when he began to draw diagrams to accompany his lecture.
When this happens, there becomes a point when you are actually committed to the discussion regardless of time and intricate depth. At the onset of the speech, if you work quickly, you can easily mention that the specific topic is not appealing to you or that you don’t understand it. You can get out of it with relative ease and move onto something more verbally appetizing. But once their initial introduction is presented and they’ve progressed passed their thesis on into expanding on their topics, you have no choice but to listen. And perhaps to pray for a miracle, non-threatening emergency.
This one sided exchange went on for what seemed like many hours. She involuntarily began yawning. Then she began the “Yes nod,” shaking her head up in down in agreement, though in all actuality there was not much grasping of the subject. And shortly following that, the “Wha wha whaaa whaa. Blah blah blah” happened. His mouth was moving but all comprehension stopped. By the time the gentleman finished talking, her mind was numb. Incredibly numb. She thanked him for his time and then walked away wondering aimlessly for a moment. Baring her return to college and growing a fast and deep rooted interest in the above subjects, she will perhaps shy away from walking up to him in anything but a group setting.
But people are people. People have varying interests and love things sometimes that others don’t understand. That of itself is one of the positive aspects of humanity. It is such a blessing to learn from one another similarities and differences. Be encouraged to strike up conversations with those who surround you in your community. Just make sure and have your cell phone ready to answer that anonymous emergency call if it is needed.
People are certainly exceptional individuals. When striking up a conversation with a complete stranger, what details immediately come to mind? For me, I prefer to ask someone about his interests. Once you know they are speaking about a subject that they enjoy, it gives the opportunity to see a glimpse into their affections and passions. While in dialog, I am enthralled by accents of people, which give a clue as to their background. When you discover what location that person is from, it becomes easy to find out where they grew up. What was their neighborhood like? What about their home life? An individual’s history is amazing! I am captivated by their vocabulary and the way that phrases are presented. Pleasant conversation is a priceless gem when it is had. It’s a joy to leave someone and find yourself pondering thoughts discussed. Decoding the mystery of someone unknown and developing a friendship can be an exciting adventure.
Of course there are times when you start talking with people and get completely lost. That too can be an interesting occurrence. My wife reminded me of these awkward instances, one of which she recently endured. She was visiting with a colleague at her workplace and started discussing artistic views of paintings, drawings, and sculptures. These topics always seem simple enough. You mention some of your favorites and then capture items of theirs and move to another topic. In theory, this interesting small talk paves the way for the possible building blocks of friendship. You learn small likes and then more interesting subject matter is given birth. And then it happened. This gentleman began a trek into discussing the space-time continuum, gravity, anti-matter and then properties related to quantum physics. She was flustered immediately. And as the man began speaking more intently, she momentarily thought he might be joking. Quickly she returned to reality when he began to draw diagrams to accompany his lecture.
When this happens, there becomes a point when you are actually committed to the discussion regardless of time and intricate depth. At the onset of the speech, if you work quickly, you can easily mention that the specific topic is not appealing to you or that you don’t understand it. You can get out of it with relative ease and move onto something more verbally appetizing. But once their initial introduction is presented and they’ve progressed passed their thesis on into expanding on their topics, you have no choice but to listen. And perhaps to pray for a miracle, non-threatening emergency.
This one sided exchange went on for what seemed like many hours. She involuntarily began yawning. Then she began the “Yes nod,” shaking her head up in down in agreement, though in all actuality there was not much grasping of the subject. And shortly following that, the “Wha wha whaaa whaa. Blah blah blah” happened. His mouth was moving but all comprehension stopped. By the time the gentleman finished talking, her mind was numb. Incredibly numb. She thanked him for his time and then walked away wondering aimlessly for a moment. Baring her return to college and growing a fast and deep rooted interest in the above subjects, she will perhaps shy away from walking up to him in anything but a group setting.
But people are people. People have varying interests and love things sometimes that others don’t understand. That of itself is one of the positive aspects of humanity. It is such a blessing to learn from one another similarities and differences. Be encouraged to strike up conversations with those who surround you in your community. Just make sure and have your cell phone ready to answer that anonymous emergency call if it is needed.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
2009 BYRON NELSON PRIZE AWARDED TO ARNOLD PALMER
IRVING, TX – The Salesmanship Club awarded golf legend Arnold Palmer with the third annual Byron Nelson Prize at the HP Byron Nelson Championship Opening Ceremony on Tuesday.
The Byron Nelson Prize, sponsored by the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, is awarded to a person or organization in the golf world who exemplifies the ideals of “giving back” that Byron Nelson personified.
Mr. Palmer attended the Opening Ceremony to receive the Prize and spoke about the special honor that this award represented for him.
“Those things that Byron did over his life were pretty fantastic, and when he won 11 tournaments in a row, I was sitting on the edge of my seat watching and just waiting for it to happen again,” Palmer said. “Byron Nelson was a man that continued to contribute to not just the game of golf, but to life and to other people. He was a person that I had the highest respect for.”
The Salesmanship Club of Dallas awarded $100,000 to the charity of Palmer’s choice. Palmer directed this charitable contribution to the Arnold D. and Winifred W. Palmer Charitable Foundation.
“It is our great honor to award Mr. Palmer with the Byron Nelson Prize,” Salesmanship Club of Dallas President Frank Swingle said. “Mr. Palmer exemplifies the values of our namesake. He perpetuates Mr. Nelson’s legacy of integrity, competitive fire, and ‘giving back’ to the game he loved and to his community.”
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
The Byron Nelson Prize, sponsored by the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, is awarded to a person or organization in the golf world who exemplifies the ideals of “giving back” that Byron Nelson personified.
Mr. Palmer attended the Opening Ceremony to receive the Prize and spoke about the special honor that this award represented for him.
“Those things that Byron did over his life were pretty fantastic, and when he won 11 tournaments in a row, I was sitting on the edge of my seat watching and just waiting for it to happen again,” Palmer said. “Byron Nelson was a man that continued to contribute to not just the game of golf, but to life and to other people. He was a person that I had the highest respect for.”
The Salesmanship Club of Dallas awarded $100,000 to the charity of Palmer’s choice. Palmer directed this charitable contribution to the Arnold D. and Winifred W. Palmer Charitable Foundation.
“It is our great honor to award Mr. Palmer with the Byron Nelson Prize,” Salesmanship Club of Dallas President Frank Swingle said. “Mr. Palmer exemplifies the values of our namesake. He perpetuates Mr. Nelson’s legacy of integrity, competitive fire, and ‘giving back’ to the game he loved and to his community.”
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
Monday, May 18, 2009
And So What if the Man Doesn't Want to Meet the President
James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers is making headlines today because he doesn't care to travel with the rest of his Super Bowl Champion team to the White house to meet President Barack Obama. It is customary for the president to invite the title-earners of our nation's major sports leagues and even NCAA championship teams to the White house for a ceremony to celebrate the team's accomplishments.
Harrison insists that the reason he will not go has nothing to do with political affiliations. Instead, he simply feels that the invitation to Washington isn't very personal since it would be the Cardinals traveling to meet the president had the Steelers not come back to win the game at the end of the Superbowl. In Mr. Harrison's opinion, if the President really wanted to meet the Steelers, he would have invited them at a different time before now.
The last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl, George W. Bush was President of the United States. Guess who didn't travel to Washington to meet President Bush with the rest of his team? You got it - James Harrison. I don't recall hearing any outrage in the media when Mr. Harrison declined the invitation of our last president. This story was leading the news on Sports Center today. I heard it mentioned on national radio. I think members of the mainstream media are just shocked that there is even one person on God's green earth who is not clamoring to meet President Obama. I guess the thinking was that when Harrison snubbed President Bush - that was to be expected. It was no surprise to the media-types that someone would decline an invitation to meet with the incompetent Bush. However, to decline an invitation from President Obama - well, that's just downright un-American isn't it? If James Harrison wants to stay home instead of going to the White house that is his prerogative. Personally, I find it ridiculous that he doesn't want to go but surely no more ridiculous now than it was the last time the Steelers were world champs.
For the record, I would love to meet the President of the United States. The History teacher in me will not let me feel otherwise no matter how much of a Republican I may be. To be in the same room with the most powerful person in the world would be an awe-inspiring experience whether one agrees with his policies or not. It would be something to see anyway. Besides, I'm sure the little smokies, rotel dip, and other snacks will be first-rate.
Harrison insists that the reason he will not go has nothing to do with political affiliations. Instead, he simply feels that the invitation to Washington isn't very personal since it would be the Cardinals traveling to meet the president had the Steelers not come back to win the game at the end of the Superbowl. In Mr. Harrison's opinion, if the President really wanted to meet the Steelers, he would have invited them at a different time before now.
The last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl, George W. Bush was President of the United States. Guess who didn't travel to Washington to meet President Bush with the rest of his team? You got it - James Harrison. I don't recall hearing any outrage in the media when Mr. Harrison declined the invitation of our last president. This story was leading the news on Sports Center today. I heard it mentioned on national radio. I think members of the mainstream media are just shocked that there is even one person on God's green earth who is not clamoring to meet President Obama. I guess the thinking was that when Harrison snubbed President Bush - that was to be expected. It was no surprise to the media-types that someone would decline an invitation to meet with the incompetent Bush. However, to decline an invitation from President Obama - well, that's just downright un-American isn't it? If James Harrison wants to stay home instead of going to the White house that is his prerogative. Personally, I find it ridiculous that he doesn't want to go but surely no more ridiculous now than it was the last time the Steelers were world champs.
For the record, I would love to meet the President of the United States. The History teacher in me will not let me feel otherwise no matter how much of a Republican I may be. To be in the same room with the most powerful person in the world would be an awe-inspiring experience whether one agrees with his policies or not. It would be something to see anyway. Besides, I'm sure the little smokies, rotel dip, and other snacks will be first-rate.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
His Ascension And Our Union
And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Luke 24:51
We have no corresponding experience to the events in Our Lord's life after the Transfiguration. From then onwards Our Lord's life' was altogether vicarious. Up to the time of the Transfiguration He had exhibited the normal perfect life of a man; from the Transfiguration onwards - Gethsemane, the Cross, the Resurrection - everything is unfamiliar to us. His Cross is the door by which every member of the human race can enter into the life of God; by His Resurrection He has the right to give eternal life to any man, and by His Ascension Our Lord enters heaven and keeps the door open for humanity.
On the Mount of Ascension the Transfiguration is completed. If Jesus had gone to heaven from the Mount of Transfiguration, He would have gone alone; He would have been nothing more to us than a glorious Figure. But He turned His back on the glory, and came down from the Mount to identify Himself with fallen humanity.
The Ascension is the consummation of the Transfiguration. Our Lord does now go back into His primal glory; but He does not go back simply as Son of God; He goes back to God as Son of Man as well as Son of God. There is now freedom of access for anyone straight to the very throne of God by the Ascension of the Son of Man. As Son of Man Jesus Christ deliberately limited omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience in Himself. Now they are His in absolute full power. As Son of Man Jesus Christ has all power at the throne of God. He is King of kings and Lord of lords from the day of His Ascension until now.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
HP Byron Nelson Championship Update
The HP Byron Nelson Championship will be next week, May 18-24. The final field list of players has been published.
SALESMANSHIP CLUB OF DALLAS ANNOUNCES THE 2009 RECIPIENTS OF THE BYRON NELSON INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF AWARDS
Irving, TX – Four outstanding young golfers from Argentina and the United States will be honored next week at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas announced today that Evan Beck of Virginia, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, Brinson Paolini of Virginia and Cameron Peck of Washington will be recognized.
The recipients were selected not only because of their accomplishments in junior tournament play, but also in recognition of their achievement in academics, participation in community service and demonstrated excellence in character, integrity and sportsmanship.
“We are proud to honor these four young men, because each one of them strives to embody the work ethic and strong moral standard that Byron Nelson lived by,” said Brooks Cullum, chairman of Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas. “By recognizing these individuals, we also hope to inspire new determination in other young golfers around the world.”
Last year, the Salesmanship Club bestowed the inaugural Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards to five golfers from Texas, South Africa, Mexico and Denmark. The Awards were created to honor Byron Nelson and his well-known support of young golfers.
All four 2009 award recipients will attend the HP Byron Nelson Championship. They will be recognized at the Championship’s Opening Ceremony at noon on Tuesday, May 19, and will participate in the Youth Golf Clinic later that day at 5 p.m. on the TPC Four Seasons Practice Range. The formal awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. the same evening at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas. The award recipients will also walk inside the ropes with PGA TOUR players during the practice round on Tuesday.
DAVIS LOVE III COMMITS TO PLAY IN THE HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP
Irving, TX – Davis Love III has officially committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Love is No. 30 in the race for the FedExCup and No. 34 in PGA TOUR Money Leaders.
Davis has a total of 20 PGA TOUR wins, including the 1997 PGA Championship. His best 2009 finish was T2 at the Mercedes Benz Championship. This will be his ninth appearance at the Byron Nelson, with the first being in 1986.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
SALESMANSHIP CLUB OF DALLAS ANNOUNCES THE 2009 RECIPIENTS OF THE BYRON NELSON INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF AWARDSIrving, TX – Four outstanding young golfers from Argentina and the United States will be honored next week at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas announced today that Evan Beck of Virginia, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, Brinson Paolini of Virginia and Cameron Peck of Washington will be recognized.
The recipients were selected not only because of their accomplishments in junior tournament play, but also in recognition of their achievement in academics, participation in community service and demonstrated excellence in character, integrity and sportsmanship.
“We are proud to honor these four young men, because each one of them strives to embody the work ethic and strong moral standard that Byron Nelson lived by,” said Brooks Cullum, chairman of Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas. “By recognizing these individuals, we also hope to inspire new determination in other young golfers around the world.”
Last year, the Salesmanship Club bestowed the inaugural Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards to five golfers from Texas, South Africa, Mexico and Denmark. The Awards were created to honor Byron Nelson and his well-known support of young golfers.
All four 2009 award recipients will attend the HP Byron Nelson Championship. They will be recognized at the Championship’s Opening Ceremony at noon on Tuesday, May 19, and will participate in the Youth Golf Clinic later that day at 5 p.m. on the TPC Four Seasons Practice Range. The formal awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. the same evening at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas. The award recipients will also walk inside the ropes with PGA TOUR players during the practice round on Tuesday.
DAVIS LOVE III COMMITS TO PLAY IN THE HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP
Irving, TX – Davis Love III has officially committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Love is No. 30 in the race for the FedExCup and No. 34 in PGA TOUR Money Leaders.
Davis has a total of 20 PGA TOUR wins, including the 1997 PGA Championship. His best 2009 finish was T2 at the Mercedes Benz Championship. This will be his ninth appearance at the Byron Nelson, with the first being in 1986.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Coldplay - Leftright FREE Album For Download
Coldplay has posted on their website a free, that's right...I said FREE download of a fan appreciation album entitled "Leftright". Visit Coldplay.com to get it. It is a live album and has a few favorites from various newer albums as well as tracks only avaliable on the Viva la Vida (Prospekt's March Edition) album.Tracks included are:
- I Glass of Water
- II 42
- III Clocks
- IV Strawberry Swing
- V Hardest Part/Postcards From Far Away
- VI Viva La Vida
- VII Death Will Never Conquer
- VIII Fix You
- IX Death And All His Friends
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
