One of my favorite places to visit is the Fullerton Arboretum at Cal State Fullerton.

Hope you too enjoy…this wonderful creature from God’s creation.

I’d like to wish all members of Kindred Community Church a very Happy Birthday…as we celebrate our 3rd anniversary as a church. We have been most blessed indeed by our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

For over 2 ½ years God blessed us with our dear former Pastor, Chuck Obremski…who is celebrating this special day in heaven with his Savior…along with some of our dear former members of Kindred who are gathered together with them. Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving and praise to Jesus Christ who has entrusted us with the precious gift of the Word of God to share with a needy, hungry and dying world.

Kindred Community Church is a most wonderful place to be. The word of God is taught in an uncompromising manner. We are committed to teaching, learning and sharing the Word of God. You won’t find a more loving and caring group of people. In need of prayer…this is the place to be. Kindred’s Prayer Team and congregation…will be praying for you and your prayer requests. Need some reinforcement for the week ahead…visit the Audio Ministry and equip yourself with God’s word. Feel the need to loose yourself in praise and worship to your Savior…Kindred’s Praise & Worship Team and Choir…will help lead the way.

If you live in the Southern California area…or are visiting…we’d love to see you. Click on the link for Kindred Community Church…to find out about us, where we are at and be sure to avail yourself of the great online resources. Hope to see you there…very soon!

May God bless you the coming week. May you be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might…as you stay rooted and grounded in the immovable, unchanging Word of God. God Bless!

Did you ever feel like giving up on someone?

You try and try…and no matter what…it’s not working. You feel like you’re throwing a ball…but they are not tossing it back. They catch it and hang on to it…or worse, just let it drop to the ground.

So you get discouraged…and throw up hands in the air and feel like walking away. Just give up and move on.

But then you remember. You remember that God didn’t give up on you. When you were faithless, he was faithful. When you wandered down that wrong path or took a wrong turn he was there when you turned around.

And God placed people in your life…that believed in you…or had faith in you. Even when you didn’t deserve it or do anything to earn it…they believed in you. When you did something stupid…they didn’t reject you. When it took you too long to come to your senses…they were there waiting and ready to walk with you once again.

So how do you back off and give someone space…without giving up on them? Or say “Okay…when you are ready…you let me know.”?

I don’t know. In some respects…it’s easier giving up. The pain isn’t ongoing, with an uncertain end in sight.

But then you think to yourself…if that was me…would I want them to give up on me? And the answer of course…is no. I guess that’s where patience, hope and perseverance comes in…and love? And maybe being willing to risk or accept a loss…on something may never come.

But ever hopeful that things will be made right…and God will redeem the time.

In a few short weeks I will be 47. Yikes!

In some respects I don’t really give a hoot and a holler…it doesn’t matter. In fact, I like the me I’ve grown into much better than what I was when I was younger.

What you find on this blog is pretty representative of what I’m like. It’s probably a place where I can be a wee bit more open and vulnerable. In fact…I’d be willing to bet I’m violating every known bit of advice…that would tell me never to show my weaknesses, doubts or fears. But that’s playing it a little too safe now, isn’t it?

The person I am at home…is pretty much the person I am a work or at church or when out about with friends. I don’t usually try to put on an act…and be something different than what I am. It’s a good thing to feel comfortable with who you are.

Nevertheless…the one thing that’s particularly painful for me is that I remain single. Even more painful than the thought of not having children.

And it’s not for lack praying, hoping, wishing or desiring to be married…that I remain single. There are times when I’m going about my daily life…and the pain of this “singlehood thing” is entirely too much. That’s when I imagine myself prostrate at the feet of Jesus. Bringing my pain…the thing that needs healing in my life to the Master. Words fail me at that time…but I know my Savior understands and feels that pain. He doesn’t take the pain away…but he’s there with me.

What I don’t know…or understand is why for low these many years…God has chosen not to answer my prayers. Is he saying wait? Is saying…Susan I’m growing you up…so that you will be a better wife to the man whom I’ve chosen for you? Is he saying…trust me and my timing? I have just the right man for you…but he’s not ready yet. Is he saying no? Or is he silent…and I just need to trust God and who he…and has revealed himself to be in his word? Trust, that he knows best.

I surely wish that if the answer is no…that God would take away this deep, deep desire and longing that I have in my heart, mind and soul. Right now there is not a day that goes by that it’s not part of my daily thoughts and prayers.

Sometimes people will try to give a word of encouragement or wisdom for this challenge. I know they mean well. Sometimes it comes from someone who purports to understand being single…but they’ve been married for many, many years. I think the only thing I might compare it to…is a woman being unable to conceive a child or even adopt. And she has family and friends all about her that have children or who are pregnant for the third or fourth time. And they say they understand what’s it’s like to not be able to get pregnant or have children. But that was for two or three or five years…not thirty or forty years or more.

And then sometimes I’ll see a person…who is single…and they’ve chosen to live with someone outside of wedlock or to have kids…even though they are not married. But that compromise is not even an option for me. Because I have chosen the better way…and that is to trust God. Not have my own way or own will in the face of what God has ordained as right.

The only person who’s been a healing balm where this whole thing is concerned is Margaret. Margaret is now in her 80’s. I know her from when we use to work together. She just loves on me when it hurts. She let’s me know that she loves me. She doesn’t try to pretend that it doesn’t matter or shouldn’t hurt or to shut up. She just loves and encourages me. Thank you my dear, dear friend!

Yet I keeping hoping and praying. Right now I don’t know what God’s answer is…but instead I’m living each day…ever hopeful. And when my faith fails me…I cling to hope…and God and ask, “How much faith will it take? God, what is your will?”

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Russian author who spent many years in the gulag of Siberia, bears witness to the power of the cross. After long suffering in the work camp of Siberia, he fell into despair. Like other prisoners, he had worked in the fields day after day, in rain and sun, during summer and winter. His days were filled with backbreaking labor and slow starvation. On a particular day, the hopelessness of his situation became too much. He saw no reason to continue living, to continue fighting the system. He thought that the rest of his life was meaningless since he would most likely die in this Siberian prison. His life made no difference in the world. So he gave up.

Laying his shovel on the ground, he slowly walked to a crude work-site bench and sat down. He knew that at any moment a guard would order him to stand up, and when he failed to respond, the guard would beat him to death, probably with his own shovel. He had seen it happen to many other prisoners.

As he waited, head down, he felt a presence. Slowly, he lifted his eyes and saw a skinny, old prisoner squat down next to him. The man said nothing. Instead, he drew a stick through the ground at Solzhenitsyn’s feet, tracing the sign of the Cross. The man then got back up and returned to his work.

As Solzhenitsyn stared at the sign of the Cross, his entire perspective changed. He knew that he was only one man against the all-powerful Soviet empire. Yet in that moment, he knew that there was something greater than the evil that he saw in the prison, something greater than the Soviet Union. He knew that the hope of all mankind was represented in that simple Cross. And through the power of the Cross, anything was possible.

Solzhenitsyn slowly got up, picked up his shovel, and went back to work. Nothing outward had changed, but inside, he received hope.

Years later, Solzhenitsyn’s writings enlightened the entire world, telling us not only about the horrors of the Soviet prisons, but also witnessing to the power of God and the hope of the Cross.

Did you ever hear a sermon or lecture…and something that the Pastor or teacher says really touches you. Below is an excerpt from sermon called Desperation to Dependence.

Letter from an unknown pastor to his congregation about a month after he had been diagnosed with cancer, terminal, inoperable and that would not respond to any treatments. He wrote it about a month after processing and digesting what God was trying to teach him.

My dear Christian friends, it has taken me 51 years of living and 33 years of Christian life to learn the real meaning of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” I have been a very ambitious man and I have abhorred the mediocre. Always within me has been the desire to excel. And living this way I’ve been impatient, anxious, inattentive and often unkind. My goals have been long distance and compulsive. In consequence I have given less than my best to the person in front of me because I was always thinking way ahead to the plans and goals beyond.

Now all that is different. My anxieties are gone. I have no idea how long I shall live, but then there is today. Each day is meaning more to me than ever before. Each person I meet can have all there is of me for those moments that we are together. I may not get as much done from here on out. But life is far more peaceful. I have at last come to accept these words of Jesus as being just for me. “Do not be anxious about your life. Do not be anxious for tomorrow. For each day has enough trouble of its own.”

The last couple of weeks…actually more like the last few years…have been especially challenging…both emotionally and spiritually. You know those times…when you feel like your faith is dwindling…or failing you…but the waves continue to pound you relentlessly.

But God…always seems to bring along a word of encouragement just when you need it most. Recently for me…it was listening to a message by Charles Stanley about Jesus Christ being the Anchor for our Storms. Jesus Christ is the only person or thing that is unchanging and immovable…he anchors us from within.

People changes, circumstances change, our health will decline, and family and friends will fail us, disappoint us and hurt us. Those whom we love will die. When our anchor is external…and is based on our circumstances…then we will be dragged about when the storms of life assail us. Our ship will be dashed upon the rocks…and may even break up. We may escape only with our life.

Yet…when our anchor is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God…we are secure. The storms may wail around us…we may get wet and sustain a few bumps and bruises. But our core and foundation will remain stable and secure.

It is my prayer that you will anchor yourself…to the only one who is our firm foundation…Jesus Christ. May God bless you and sustain in the coming week…and be your firm foundation.

Hebrews 13:5-6, 8

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,

Oh yeah…it’s coming…once again that most dreaded of days is almost here.

That day…in which single females who want to change that check box on their W-2 from single to married…is a mere 18 days away. That day in which…if I had my druthers…I would lapse into a coma on or about February 10th and awaken…refreshed from my good rest on February 17th. Actually if I was really smart I’d go all the way through to March 1st being that I have a not too eagerly awaited birthday shortly thereafter.

Being that the coma thing probably ain’t gonna happen…how am I going to get through the torture this year? And make no mistake…I would do almost anything to avoid this most wretched day. Yes…that dreaded day is none other than Valentines Day! AHHH!

For those really discerning individuals…you can probably tell…I’m not overly fond of Valentines Day. Not because I’m not romantic…or the scrooge of love…but because my sweetheart has yet to make himself known. (Just between you and me…he’s a little tardy.)

That’s not too say I don’t have my eye on a gentleman or two…but nothing that’s current or active for me to brag about.

So getting through Valentine’s Day is like being on a fast…and having to walk through a banquet room with people eating hearty meals…but you can’t stop and enjoy the meal. It’s not for you…just keep on moving.

Not that I begrudge others the displays of affection…from flowers, to cards filled with loving romantic sentiments or a nice candle light dinner with their sweetheart. I celebrate and am happy that they are most fortunate to have their husband or boyfriend. That’s exactly what I want for me too.

Yet…I have my days in which I feel like Hannah or Leah or the woman begging at Jesus feet…for even the little dogs receive the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.

I can honestly say…I was the poster child for Janis Ian’s song “At Seventeen”. Hearing it even now, evokes much pain.

To those of us who know the pain
Of valentines that never came,
And those whose names were never called
When choosing sides for basketball.
It was long ago and far away
The world was younger than today
And dreams were all they gave for free
To ugly duckling girls like me.

But instead of burying my head in the sand…I must grit my teeth and face the day.

Now I’ve tried many a thing to help make it better. From trying to make Valentines Day special for my mom…especially as she continues to decline. Or making it a fun or special day for those with whom I work…by bringing old fashion school box Valentines along with the heart candies. And yes…to some degree it does help…a wee bit. But it’s still hard.

It remains my daily prayer that God will bless me with a husband. I dream of that day…from the proposal to my wedding day. I do so hope that if ever that day comes…I will never forget how it feels to be without a sweetheart on Valentines Day. And in turn help make it a special day for that person who may not hear “I love you”…from that someone special.

Thomas Kinkade is one of my favorite artists. There is just something quite beautiful, peaceful, homey and romantic about his work. When I look at his paintings….I can feel my stress level decrease as I gaze at his work.

I feel as if I could step into right into his pictures and be taken back in time…to a different world. It’s almost like reading a novel. When you can look at his paintings you can see something new or in a different way each and every time you look.

Now if I could own just one Thomas Kinkade painting…it would be a picture of a church and the surrounding neighborhood in a painting entitled Home Town Evening.

On his website…Thomas recalls paining this work. “I remember wandering the lanes of my hometown on a Sunday evening, drawn as if by magnetic attraction toward the heart of the village. Hometown Evening, third in my Hometown Memories collection is enriched by intense childhood memories, although I’ve chosen to turn the clock back a few decades… I did that to heighten the nostalgia, and to give myself the chance to paint some of my favorite vintage cars.”

Ah….someday…one day I hope this painting will grace the walls of my home.

A while back I had received, via e-mail, a “beef cake calendar”. When I got it…I was offended. This is my normal reaction when women forward on to me male cheesecake type pictures…sometimes pictures boarding on soft porn.

Until I received this e-mail…I never fully understood or thought through why I get offended by these e-mails. Yes of course there is the fact that I am a Christian…and undoubtedly that comes into play. I believe that we as Christians should try to keep our minds pure. That means not allowing images or words to come into my mind that will allow me to dwell on that which God considers sinful.

But I believe the offence is at deeper and at a more primal level. As I started thinking about it…I realized that it comes back to that lying, deceptive, destructive feminist influence again. Not too long ago I wrote a piece on feminism and about what a failure it has been and the harmful effects that are widespread to men, women and children. It was actually very therapeutic to speak the truth.

Well…it’s time to speak the truth again.

Like a lot of women every once and a while I’m forwarded an e-mail picture of some guy who is scantily clad. I’m suppose to ogle at this picture and fawn over what a hunky guy this is…as if this is evidence of my sexually liberated feminine nature.

The women that forward on these e-mails on are acting like they are liberated woman. That they can do anything a man can do…including look at pictures of “sexy” men. Just like guys will look at pictures of naked women…and share them with their buddies.

Ladies…usually the guys in these pictures aren’t exactly real masculine looking. They are nothing more than glorified pretty boys. Boys being the operative word…not men. They are not manly.

Guys that look like they stepped out of the latest issue of “Playgirl Magazine” aren’t exactly your poster child for testosterone. Let’s get real. Who do you think actually buys “Playgirl”? It’s not usually women. It gay guys!

God designed women much different than men. Men are visually stimulated…stimulated by beautiful women…scantily clad women…well developed women…women showing some flesh. Real women, women passing by, women entering the room, women at the gym, women on TV or in movies, pictures of women and on and on and on.

One way to know that visual stimulation is specific to men and not women…is that with gay guys, it’s not pictures or images of women that sexually stimulate them…but instead it’s other guys. But the means by which they are stimulated…is the same…it’s visual.

Women on the other hand are not hard wired that way. They are not usually sexually stimulated by pictures of handsome men that they don’t know.

Men are sexually stimulated by pictures of beautiful women…women they know or women they don’t know….it doesn’t really matter.

Does that mean that women don’t find handsome men attractive? Of course they do…but the visual impact of a good looking man effects women entirely different.

Who do you think is the primary consumer of porn? Its men…not women, but men.

In your attempts to be liberated and equal to men…you are merely throwing feminine nature under the bus. Instead you try and put on a man’s nature. What’s really weird about this…is that feminists hate men. But in doing this you are trying to be like them.

It’s kind of ironic… feminists try to display their liberation by ogling over pictures of naked guys. But if a guy is ogling over a picture of some scantily clad woman…that same feminist is running to human resources and crying foul. She’s making a complaint about a hostile work environment or sexual harassment. Rather hypocritical now, isn’t it?

Feminists…tell me do you think that women who have been raped, or sexually assaulted or are incest victims find these male cheesecake pictures a turn on? I’d say they have a different reaction.

Whatever happened to the desire to be a lady or lady like?

I’m more likely to get a raunchy, suggestive e-mail from a woman these days than a guy. When did decency become archaic?

I don’t know why you even call yourself feminists. The last thing you are is feminine. You hate men…but you try to embrace male nature as your own. You are not feminine, you are not masculine; you are just mixed up!

When I see a handsome guy some on TV or walking by me in real life…I do a double take. I’m thinking what a nice smile and pretty eyes he has. I’m thinking wouldn’t it be nice to have dinner with him…and talk.

What’s attractive to me? A man who has a heart towards God. One who loves the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. A man who treats me nice…who is considerate, respectful and caring. A man who will open that door for me or help carry a heavy package. Someone who has a sense of humor that makes me laugh…someone who listens to me. That is what’s attractive to me…that’s what turns me on. I am entirely comfortable with my feminine nature and I don’t need to go around and pretend I have some raunchy sexual nature, that’s just like a guy’s nature.

So when I get offended at receiving one of these “hunky guy” pictures…it’s not me that is confused with my feminine nature. I know who I am…and I’m comfortable with being a woman. I don’t need to try and be like a guy to be liberated and equal.

Things Aren’t Always as They First Appear!

Please click on the audio link below…for your weekly dose of humor from Pastor Chuck Obremski.

It has been my privilege to continue to pass out CD’s from my dear beloved Pastor…despite his change of address to a more heavenly home. God continues to use these CD’s to reach out and help people. Whether the CD’s are going to someone who has not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior…or to encourage a fellow Christians…God’s Word bring salvation…and acts as a healing balm to those in need.

Consistently…people comment on Chuck’s humor and his weekly jokes. Usually used to illustrate a point in his sermon…they allow you to loosen up and relax and help draw you in to hear God’s word. Some times Chuck’s sermons were a word of encouragement to help strengthen you…and some times a kick in the butt to get you back on track when you’ve wandered off course.

If you’ve not yet heard Chuck’s CD’s…I would encourage you to please get some. If you know me personally and I’ve not yet given you any of the CD’s…please be sure let me know. Due to the faithful servants of Kindred’s Audio Ministry…I normally keep some with me at all times and would love to share with you. If don’t know me…or you’d prefer…please click on the link to Kindred Community Church. Go to the audio ministry where you can download sermons online. Or if you would like some of the CD albums please e-mail or write Kindred’s audio ministry.

Each week when I leave church…I put on one of Chuck’s CD’s. As good and powerful and as incredible as it was to hear these sermons when Chuck was teaching them live…I can honestly say that they are equally or more powerful now. Why? Because…we at Kindred got to see a man live out his faith. He did not stumble…and his faith did not fail him. When in the wine press…his lips continued to pour forth praise for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was able to do that because he was rooted and grounded in the Word of God. It was part of his daily life…he believed it and trusted in God and in His Word…to the end of his earthly life. Chuck’s eyes were on Jesus Christ…not his circumstance.

If you are struggling in your own life, if you have doubts and find yourself stumbling at life’s daily challenges…I urge you to please make sure that your relationship with Jesus Christ is strong, firm and secure. I recommend that you start with Desperation to Dependence, move on to the Heaven Series…and then listen to Thinking Like a Genuine Servant. There is much more great teaching to feed your soul and spirit…but start there.

May the Lord bless you this coming week…may your faith not fail you…but instead remain strong. God bless!

Recently I was engaged in a conversation with some guys when the subject changed to a mutual acquaintance. They commented enthusiastically about what a “looker” she was. Not only that but she was really smart, and had skills, talents and abilities to match her good looks. I’ve got to tell you when hearing their comments…I felt like I was cut to the quick.

Now I’m least PC kind of gal you are ever going to know. I know that guys like looking at pretty women. It’s almost an involuntary response when their head turns and they watch as a beautiful women walks in. I know that guys talk among themselves about the girls and women they know or see. With all that being said…if one of these guys had stuck a knife in my stomach and turned it…that wouldn’t have hurt more then their comments did. In part, it hurt all the more because I actually like and respect these guys.

On a good day…I’m average looking. On a bad day…well let’s not go there. God has not chosen to bless me with fabulous hair, flawless perfect skin and a drop dead gorgeous body. While it may not be obvious…I do make at attempt to look good. Some days more successfully than others.

I want to try to translate that conversation…if guys were hearing women talk about another guy…and how they might feel.

So here’s the scenario…you are Bob…an average looking guy…a little short on stature and loosing some hair. You recently lost your job due to corporate downsizing. But because you have a strong work ethic and love your wife and family…you got another job right away. Even though the pay is considerably less than what you were earning…and are capable of…you took that job so you could continue to take care of your family. You work really hard…50 to 60 hours a week are not uncommon. Even so…with less money coming in…the family has to do without on some things these days.

One night…you come home from the office later than expected because of an important project at the work. You and your wife are having a little get-together with some friends. When you walk in the door…you are greeted by your wife who comments, “Couldn’t you have got home earlier…you knew we had this party. Don’t you love me or care about anyone but yourself?” You are thinking, “It’s because I love you I’m working so hard.” But you restrain yourself from comment and instead go into the kitchen to help your wife with the party.

In the kitchen…some women are gathered and are chit chatting. The subject turns to some of the neighborhood guys. They start talking about your neighbor Mike. Some of the comments you hear are: “That Mike…he is such a good husband and father.” “He has a great job…and did you hear about the bonus check he got? Unbelievable…they are going on a two week Panamanian cruise.” “Not only that but he’s such a good dad. Home every night by 5:30 and helps not only with the cooking…but spends a lot of time with the kids too.” “Yeah…not only is he a good provider, husband and father…he’s drop dead gorgeous. He’s so tall, look at his hair and what body. Wow…hubba, hubba baby!”

And just when you want to melt into the floor…you wife comments, “You know…I really respect Mike. His wife is so lucky. He’s the best!”

Now tell me gentlemen…do you think that upon hearing that conversation…you might feel not so good? Both about yourself and those ladies. Well that is an equivalent of the conversation and what I felt like when those guys were talking. Only their emphasis was bit more focused on the physical…and not her other attributes.

No one made any disparaging remarks about me in any way. Nothing vulgar or inappropriate was said. But at the same time…I’m keenly aware of my very average looks. I felt invisible, irrelevant and unworthy.

Now I would like to be able to brag…that I responded in a loving Christian way. Or that I just let their comments not bother me…that I “let it go”. But I’d be lying…instead I took the shot. I purposely and deliberately make a comment that was intended to hurt right back.

I think that men and women are equally clueless about the opposite sex. Their conversation was a guy’s thing…and comments about another woman’s looks really should remain between guys.

I don’t think that they made those comments to be hurtful. But don’t know…I’m not a mind reader. Maybe they were clueless that hearing something like that is hurtful to woman. Maybe they just didn’t care…or worse.

Gentlemen…if you love your wife, girlfriend, daughters, sisters, mothers and friends…just know that when you go down that road…it will likely cause pain. Remember…your wife’s confidence and knowledge that she is loved by you…is a direct reflection of you.

I know that women are equally as guilty of making hurtful and demeaning comments about guys…sometimes with intent and sometime out of ignorance. And that is just as wrong. So it is not that I try to place myself or women on pedestal…but instead…would like others to learn from my experience.

So this Christian who stumbled…and failed miserably is reminded how I should have responded.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 & 13 – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

Well today I encountered another turning point in this adventure called Alzheimer’s.

My mom was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about 3 ½ years ago…but in the wisdom of hindsight…I’m quite certain her decline started much earlier than that. Her decline has been slow…but somewhat steady. Usually the sharp declines are temporary…and are related to an illness that she has at the moment. Once she’s feeling physically better…her functioning level comes up again.

Gayle was sick for a couple weeks…but was physically feeling better today. But despite that improvement the nurses were concerned that her functioning level had rapidly changed within the last week or two. They are not sure if it’s permanent…or if the sudden big jump is due to her recent illness briefly impacting her functioning level.

Her ability to walk was greatly impacted, as was her eating. Now over the past few years, more and more something just as simple as chewing and swallowing has become an issue. Some days more than others. In the last week, it’s gotten worse. So much so that they are currently puréeing her food.

On a normal day…you have to remind Gayle to chew and swallow. It’s not uncommon for her to look like chipmunk as she stores away the food in her cheeks. For someone who can function normally…not a big deal…you’ll just swallow when you are ready to. But with Alzheimer’s…you may not know how to swallow or forget to swallow. Thus…the puréeing her food…to insure that she doesn’t choke on it later.

Also Gayle’s ability to walk has also been impacted. The primary nurse for my mom is Jennie. She works really well with her and seems quite in tune. She did not want to go down that road of having Gayle in a wheelchair…and put it off for most of the week. However the last day or two…Gayle’s been in wheelchair…because something simple, like walking down the hallway, is very difficult. Jennie knows that sometimes people start to give up at that point…and she works hard to keep Gayle involved, interactive and motivated.

The other thing that was new today…Gayle was kind of zoning out. By that I mean she would just put her head down while she sitting there…almost as if she was asleep. But she wasn’t asleep…when you talk to her she’ll pop her head up and respond. Sometime with words…and sometime an “uh huh”. She’s not able to say if she’s feeling good or bad. She says she doesn’t know.

About a week ago…one of the head nurses suggested that it might be time to take Gayle’s rings from her…so they don’t get lost. Between Alzheimer’s people tending to lose things…or the rings just falling off…she thought it was advisable to take her rings.

Now that is something I knew was coming down the pike…but like so much of this adventure…I’ve put it off as long as possible. So it was with a very heavy heart today I had my mom…give me her wedding ring. I asked her to take it off…and told that I would get it cleaned. She did so…very willingly.

In some respects…it was so easy. Really a landmark in someone’s life…but it was almost uneventful. Yet…I’m so torn. These last few years have been watching my mother loose her personhood, her life and herself. And now…here’s another thing that is gone for good. I know practically speaking, in her right mind she would agree that it was the right thing to do.

And the ring has been safely delivered to a family member that it was intended to go to. Now I don’t have the worry, “what if she looses it?” weighing on my conscience.

But I wonder…how much of it was God’s grace in the moment that helped make a very sad situation easier? Or am I becoming one hard hearted son of a gun? I surely hope it’s the former and not the later.

The other thing that stood out…was how difficult it is for the nurses that care for these people…as they decline and eventually die. God has blessed me with a wonderful church, Kindred Community Church that is committed to giving out God’s word. Thus it has been my privilege to share CD’s with the nurses…with the hope that it will help encourage and build them up. And indeed it has done that. For that I am most grateful.

So thank you God for that dose of grace today. I needed it…and I pray for grace and mercy…for my mom and the nurses that care for her.

Man oh man alive. Whooooooooo!

Well…I’ve been out of commission since last week, computer wise that is. But I am back up and running. What a week to have my computer down….with all the stories in the news during the last week! The miner tragedy compounded by miscommunication that went uncorrected, the Alito hearing, some illustrious senators grandstanding and thinking that the world revolves around them (okay…so that’s not new), and Ariel Sharon in a coma…and possibly on his death bed.

It’s very hard to do research on stories when your computer can’t get online. Now that it’s working again…I’m more appreciative than ever for my computer and the amazing age in which we live and the resources that are available at the click of a mouse.

My little adventure in “computer malfunction and repair” came about when I got the swell idea to install more RAM in my computer. Easy enough, right? Ah…not quite. Something went wrong during the process. Not only would Mr. Computer not recognize the RAM…but somewhere along the line a couple of DLL files were corrupted. Files that Zone Alarm needed to operate. Not only operated…but also needed in order to delete the program altogether.

But in the process of this little adventure I have learned and want to pass along a few tips in case you are not already practicing good computer habits.

1) Back up your computer. Back up, back up and back up. Fortunately this was something that I get a passing mark on. Now you can back up to CD’s or DVD’s…but that takes time. Yes you should do that…but for a quicker and fuller back up there are the portable external hard drives or USB drives that you can use to back up your files quite easily. It takes a fraction of the time…and you can back up everything you need and want to.

2) Now another area that I get a passing grade on is having an anti virus, spyware and ad-ware removal programs. Some of which are free…and I’ve been using over the past few year. I give them a thumbs up. While I did have problems…it was entirely unrelated to a virus or spyware. So here are a few links and recommendations:

Ad-aware 6.0 – this program is free…and used in conjunction with other programs…it will help clean off the ad/spyware that downloads when you visit websites.

Spybot Search & Destroy – another free program for download. Does a great job. It takes care of items that Ad-aware may miss.

Spy Sweeper by Webroot – this one program that I purchased. It’s not free…but well worth the investment if you want to protect your computer. If you are surfing the net a lot…protect your computer. This program will catch items missed by both Ad-aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. While it would be peachy keen to have just one program…there are too far too many folks out there trying to wreak havoc with your computer life. Forewarned is forearmed.

Panda Software Active Scan – Still having problem with your computer? Try the Active Scan on Panda Software’s website. Even if you have another anti virus…this will scan your computer and detect any viruses or spyware problems. The Active Scan is free.

If you, like me, are finding your current anti-virus sometime causes problems rather than fixing them…you may want to change to a new/different anti virus. If you need to remove Norton Anti-virus to install a new program…be sure to remove all traces of this program. Not only do you need to remove from “ad/remove programs”…but you also need to use the removal tool on Symantec to fully remove all traces of Norton Anti-virus. Failure to do so…will result in many problems for your computer. If you install another anti-virus without fully removing Norton you will have problems multiplied…as they war against each other.

3) When finally you are at your wit’s end…call the professionals. I ended up calling Make It Work…for those of you in Southern California I recommend their services. A little word of warning…the ads make it seem as if they’ll be right out to your home as soon as you call. But reality is that they have to schedule you…Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM. But when they get there…they do a good job. The gentleman that came to fix my computer was knowledgeable and diligent…and kept at it until he was able to fix the problems.

So…my computer is back up and running. I have computer knowledge at the end of the week than I did at the beginning of the week. Achieved, not in the manner I would have preferred…but I have it, nonetheless. I know about pinging, ipconfig, release, renew…network connections and repairs. I also know more about RAM and if your computer is without power for a time…it resets the clock on your computer back to when it was new. Which causes a whole other set of problems.

So…if you haven’t backed up your computer recently…do so. If your spyware and antivirus programs are lacking…or not up to speed…get them in place. Good computing to you all…except to a few nasty senators whom I will address in another piece shortly.

One of the most fun things about my former Pastor, Chuck Obremski was that he started each sermon with a joke or two. Sometime corny, sometimes rather irreverent, and frequently just down right funny. His favorite jokes were saved for Mother’s Day.

Whenever I give out one of Chuck’s CD’s…the first thing people comment on is about how the funny jokes are.

The Audio Ministry at Kindred Community Church had made a new CD with a compilation of jokes that Chuck told at the beginning of his sermons. Great idea…brings not only a laugh…but a tear or two upon hearing Chuck’s jokes. So many of which I recall hearing during his original sermons.

Kindred’s Audio Ministry…does yeoman’s work. In 2005…the audio ministry gave out over 96,000 CD’s. That’s up about 80,000 CD’s from the prior year. Awesome job folks!

Just a reminder…if you would like to sign up to receive the CD’s each week…or would like to get some of Chuck’s CD’s from the past…please click on the link to Kindred Community Church. All the CD albums are great…but just to recommend a few: Luke, Romans, Daniel, I and II Timothy, Spiritual Health, Destination Heaven, Desperation to Dependence and Thinking Like a Genuine Servant.

So…it will be my project in 2006 each week post one of Chuck’s jokes. Without further ado…here is Chuck: