Religion & Faith

I was just trying to book a hotel room, and the cost was a bit more than I was expecting. So I asked the nice lady …

ME:  “Is that your best rate?” 

HER: “Sorry, it really is … unless you qualify for a discount.”

ME: “Really … how do I qualify for a discount?” 

HER: “Well, are you a AAA card holder?”

ME: “No.”

HER: “How about military? Are you active military?”

ME:  “No.” 

HER: “Are you a member of our rewards program?” 

ME: (I’m sure I was sounding depressed by now) “No ma’am, sorry.”

HER: “So, if you’re not a AAA member, a military member or rewards program member … do you have anyhing at all to offer?”

ME: “Well, I’m really a super nice guy?” I said, just kinda kidding around.

HER: “There you go” she said excitedly, “that’s worth 20% right there!” 

ME: “Really?” I said.

HER: “Absolutely … we need more super nice guys in our world.” 

Who says … “Nice guys finish last.”

You’ve seen the headlines: America is fat and getting fatter.  The Institute of Medicine has just released their 478-page report on the obesity epidemic plaguing our country.  Two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are overweight or obese; by 2030, obesity-related health care costs will top $550 billion.

What are we to do?  The IOM report tells us to make physical activity a regular part of our lives; create environments which ensure that healthy food and beverage options are available; send positive messages about nutrition and physical activity; expand the roles of health care providers, insurers, and employers; and make schools a national focal point.

Two beautiful girls from the dump.

Many have asked about totals for Dump Day. It’s become increasingly hard every year to get an exact total until about a month or so has passed and everything has come in. We try hard to keep up with it on this blog, but not everybody posts what they gave, which is fine.

Here’s what we do know … right at $40k was pledged on this blog on Dump Day 2012 for the Dump Ministry. We also know that Bobby Moore and the wonderful people at Bread for a Hungry World, added $25k in matching funds, making our total right now around $65k; which is incredible, awesome and amazing. We totally give God every ounce of credit.

What we’ve learned in the past Dump Days is that many times more comes in than was pledged. So, if that happens there’s a chance that $65k will be more. Marc Tindall, missionary in Honduras, said that with the number over $50k, there will be funds for a couple of our “wish list” projects at the dump.

A big thank you to everyone that has fasted, prayed, and given to this ministry. Thank you for honoring and helping the poor on Dump Day 2012.

“I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women and heterosexual men and women marrying one another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties.”  With these words, Vice President Joe Biden sparked a national firestorm yesterday.  In his interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, he said that he was “absolutely comfortable” with same-sex marriages and was heartened by their growing acceptance across the country.

Was the vice-president right on this issue?  What’s wrong with gay marriage?

Twenty-two percent of Americans think the world will end in their lifetime.  According to a recent Reuters poll, nearly 15 percent of people worldwide agree.  The numbers range from 6 percent in France to 22 percent in Turkey and the U.S.

What explains this phenomenon?

Some blame the Mayan calendar–10 percent worldwide believe that its conclusion on December 21, 2012 will mark the end of the world.  Those with lower education or household income levels are more likely to believe in an apocalypse during their lifetime.  So are those who are under 35 years old.

Today I celebrate life as a father and a husband. It was 9 years ago today I was told I had cancer .  Recovering from two surgeries made the summer of 2003 an extremely tough summer I’ll never forget.

I’m not looking for sympathy today or even high-fives, but I am simply reminding myself of some things that I learned from that hard summer. Simple things that I try and remind myself of every year on this date.  Things I learned things like…

1. I learned I’m not indestructible. I’m not guaranteed 30 more years …  3 more years or 3 more minutes. Each and every day is a gift so make the most of every day.
2. I learned it’s impossible to have any sort of self-dignity in a hospital gown.
3. I learned that it was okay to be scared and even ask God, “Why?”
4. I learned that I’m blessed to have friends and family that surround me with support and love.
5. I learned I have an amazing care-giver in my wife, and that the care-givers of cancer patients don’t get near the credit they deserve. I remember asking Lea as I lay in the hospital, “Aren’t you heading back to Childress today to take care of the boys?” and I still remember her response, “No sir, the boys are taken care of. You are my husband, and I’m not going anywhere!”
6. I learned about real love, not the stuff you see in the movies or on soap operas. Real love is my wife telling me I looked “great” to her, even when I was pale, skinny, sick, throwing up and too weak to do anything.
7. I learned that I hate cancer. I hate everything about it … what it does to families, how it steals loved ones from our lives and how it is no respecter of persons.
8. I learned my God is bigger than cancer.

Today I celebrate 9 years … and I’m reminded once again just how blessed I am.

“Why $6.50?” I asked. Because everyone can give $6.50 and to remind everyone that it only takes $6.50 to buy 10 meals in Honduras.

** Here are the rules: this is good for today and tomorrow only, AND you can only give up to 3 times per household.

SPREAD THE WORD … Please let ALL your friends know. We need 500 people to give $6.50 … we need that $25k they are offering.

Thank you Bread.

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