an incredible experience

today, I would like to share something with you.  Something so powerful, that I need to speak about it on here.

about 6 weeks ago, I was living my normal routine.  Just doing what I did every day as usual. All seemed to be well.  However, it was not, as it turned out. I started to feel weak on my left side. It did not subside.  This lasted all day and night.   I decided to take a walk, so, late that night, I did. Or I tried to anyway.
\
I was in the driveway, and I tripped on something, and could not get up. No matter how hard I tried. I thought I was having a stroke. I knew it was very serious, whatever it was. 

A short time later. I did make it back inside, and called my Niece, Tammy.  It turned out to be the most important call I have ever made.  A desperate cry for help.  Actually, life or death.

Tammy came right over and took me to the local hospital, which in turned sent me, in an ambulance to a larger Medical center, Where I learned I was having a Brain seizure, not a stroke, and it was being caused by a baseball sized Tumor. The tumor needed to be removed at once. My life expectancy was 2 days if not.
The tumor was indeed partially removed. It turned out to be cancerous, and extremely dangerous. An amazing fact about when I woke up was that I had, can only be described as a spiritual, life changing event.
I want you all to know that my niece Tammy, saved my life that night.  I am forever and eternally grateful.
I stayed in the hospital a week, where I learned that this type of thing is 90 percent fatal. Even with the surgery. 
I started to get radiation and chemo treatments, every day. I asked the doctors what my chances were. This is what I heard. I had a 40 percent chance to live 3 months. This was a terminal illness.
As I said, I had a spiritual event in the hospital. God had come to me in my time of need and came into my life and changed me. Forever. He reached down to me in my darkest hour and saved me.  I am forever thankful. I had made contact with God. His name is Jesus. God's Son.

I have made a decision to follow him. I try to live each day in prayer. I know now, that I have only a short time left possibly, so I wanted as many people to know that as possible.  It is after all, the very least I can do.
My life has changed totally from the inside out. I am fairly certain that the Lord is with me now.  Yes I was just like everybody else. I would have never said something like that before this all happened. However, it is all true, and it will change your life. Please trust me when I say that.
The Lord is the only one capable of doing all he does. He is the only one worthy of worship and praise. All that is required is that we have faith in him. He will rescue you if you receive his free gift of salvation. It does not matter how hopeless it seems. He is the great comforter, and almighty Father.
I would like to say this now. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me. Thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you for all you have done for others when I have prayed for them in my humble way. I don't always know what to say, I am still very new at it. 

It is all still so amazing to me, it is difficult to describe. I used to hear people talk like this, but never really understood why.  This has changed me forever. It is all real.
Thanks
G

.,



 

A Thankyou to our Troops

I  would like to take a minute and make sure I said thanks to the people who made everything I'm writing about on here possible.

   That would be the Men and Women who serve and have served the country I was lucky enough to be born in. The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I hope someday I can find a way to really express my thanks, instead of just writing about it.

  A lot has been said about AMERICA. Poems, songs, movies, TV, parades, flag waving. Every possible way, you know? None of it will ever be enough.

   I like to think that it is more than that. here is my thought on what it is to me. I am not a good writer, I will try to say what I would like to say, as clearly as I can, and be as honest as I can.  I do however, tend to be a little over the top at times, so if you will be kind enough to bear with me here,  I will Speak my mind and do my best to say thanks in my own humble way. Thanks for reading, by the way. OK here we go.

  AMERICA is, was, and I pray,  always will be the finest concept of freedom and liberty, ever brought forth upon this earth. In all the thousands of years of civilization, There has never been a better place to live. Some may have come close in their own way, Ancient Greece maybe, or The British Empire, or even Rome.

  AMERICA is  a destiny, a blueprint for all to see, everywhere, for all time, on how to do it. However, we are not just a concept, but the actual MEANING of the word FREEDOM.

   AMERICA, is a fulfilled dream. The destination of history.    The end result of the first ancient thought of LIBERTY. The only way that the meaning of the words FREEDOM and LIBERTY, could be truly defined in the dictionaries of history, is to show a picture of AMERICA.  Nothing else could so perfectly describe those words. The same would go for our flag,  The STAR SPANGLED BANNER,  and our National Anthem with the same name.   Each of these symbols is equally ingrained in the souls of all of us.

Yet, those words and the freedom that comes with them, are not given freely. Someone had to earn our freedom. Not earn in the usual sense, but FIGHT for those words.

   These are the people who define patriotism, courage, and love of country. Because without them, there would be no America at all.  there would be nothing of what we now enjoy everyday. Sometimes, we all have a tendency, myself included, to take what we have for granted. It is not. There are some people that we all need to thank...  These people are the men and women in our Armed Forces. Every time I see the flag, or hear the National Anthem, I think of them.

   Try to picture this,  You are the one person who can fight in the battle for our National Security. You are told you have to jump out of a trench with a rifle, straight into poison gas, directly into the mouth of certain death in the form of Machine gun fire.  Or, being ordered to clear out a dangerous trap in the middle of the desert, that has to be taken out. It is strategically located, and it's removal is imperative.  You will not return.      It's the only way to preserve our freedom. Could you do it?  Ask yourself that question and give an honest answer. Well before you do answer, remember this, SOMEONE did,  And not just one someone. Not just thousands either.

   This is the price of our freedom.  All,  everything,  life itself.   Sacrifice beyond measuring.   Beyond anything you, or I could ever do.  The greatest act of love possible.  To be willing to lay down your own life for your friends.   To be willing to do anything necessary to preserve our freedom and rights.   Uncountable  times done anonymously,  without any thought of praise or thanks.    Acts of  unthinkable  courage done for others in the name of Liberty.  This is what it took for us to enjoy what we have today. May we never lose sight of that.

   So, when the words   PATRIOTISM  and  GLORY are defined in that book, there will  be a lot of pictures there. A lot of names.

   That incredible concept of Liberty, given to us by our founders has been bought and is still being paid for today.   Even as I write this, and you listen to it, There are men and women doing just that. We need to remember that.  What  you and I, have to do now is, never forget where we are and how we are able to be here.

   It's because of People. Everyday people who rose up and said, "I'LL do it!," and DIED for that perfect idea called AMERICA. Each and every one had more courage than I can imagine, and  to do that for you and I, who they knew not!   It is out of the furnace of  just such honor, that mighty Nations are forged.

   We can be part of that idea!   It's not a question of saying "what can I do", because there is something we can do, and it doesn't take sacrifice, or volunteering, or money.  All we have to do, is say "Thank You".  Two simple words.   Two words that include us in the incredible idea called AMERICA.    "Thank You" comes in many forms too.  If you see a member of the Armed Forces, remember what that uniform stands for.    There has never been anything like it seen before in the History of the World.  So walk up, Shake his or her hand, and say... "THANK YOU! ... It's an honor to meet you!"    THEN you ask,.. "What can I do"?...See how good you will feel!... Some of the greatest fires of Historical changes have started with tiny sparks just like that.  These men and women, are the true patriots!  These don't just talk the talk, they walk the WALK!   We need to remember that.   I need to remember that also.   I sometimes get so tangled in my own little troubles, that I forget about the whole big picture.  Thinking about this gets me motivated to take a step in the CORRECT  direction today. So I posted this. This is how I feel anyway.

   Just saying or thinking those words makes whoever it is, a part of history. Just the fact that we are able to do that, gives us a right that millions, down through that history had never been given. What an incredible amazing honor.

   May I never lose sight of the scope of that. I may have done some things in my life, that I'm not entirely proud of, and I am probably not deserving of this honor.
That is what makes it so much more amazing.  We are all Equal. We are.

   I remember my father and my Grandpa, telling me about World War Two. My Father was wounded at Normandy, when they landed there.  I have always been so proud of both my Father, and Grandpa. They are both gone now, but I remember them calling that Generation, "The Greatest Generation". I can see why they were called that too.  It was because we all stood together as ONE, and faced whatever happened together, as one. One Nation, United!    I look around today and see that taking place again. We have another Great Generation now. We are all  the sons and daughters of Liberty. We all possess the potential, to accomplish more for peace, progress, fairness, and the pursuit of happiness... than any who have lived before!  Not only here, but everywhere. So, once more, the light of Freedom stands waiting for that spark of change. The one that begins inside each of us. I believe in the power of Dreams of Hope. That's why I believe that America's Greatest hour is yet to come.

   To our Defenders,  I wanted to stand up, and say thank you!... May I try to truly appreciate all you have done, and are doing now!  I pray that I can.  I pray that we all can.


   So look up America, and smile!.  For The best is yet to come! It's right around the corner! We face a brave new world today my friends, A world that changes fast. The problems we are facing today can be daunting, to say the least, but remember this, Together, we WILL succeed!    We can, and we WILL, say to the world,  "You Ain't seen NOTHIN" yet!"

                                                                      THANK YOU.

Thanks for listening.  G smiley

Something I felt I should post. Just my humble opinion on something. I wrote this a year ago, but never showed anyone.

     I would like to speak a little on the subject of Spiritual existence in comparison with existence in the Flesh.  By Flesh I refer to the physical emotions and senses that are generated by our mind and body, in response to both internal and external sources.

By spiritual, I mean my own opinion of what a genuine spiritual experience would be, that is not created in our minds and body in response to outside or inside stimuli. Also, the concept of “eternity” and how we may experience it, both in our Earthly forms, and our Spiritual forms.

     Most people, when they hear the word “Flesh” in a biblical sense, will usually think of Fleshly weakness in our defense of committing “Sins”.  This is an important and extremely valid point that needs to be understood, both in the reality of it, and the consequences of our actions regarding it.  This discussion is simply my opinion of how our physical flesh bodies and minds, whether conscious or unconscious, would actually perceive and experience the reality of spiritual existence.

     Most of which I have read or watched in the Media, or heard in sermons on this subject was usually presented in an intelligent manner by individuals far more qualified than I, both from a theological and secular viewpoint. It is not my intention to undermine any of this in any way. I have the utmost respect for both viewpoints.  This is simply my own interpretation of what it means to me. Nothing more

     The key to finding Truth would be, I believe, would be to look at this question with a clear perspective thought process that would be uncluttered by the myriad of opinions that we collect during our lives. We must take a step back and observe the entire forest and not just the most prominent trees of opinions in it. So how can we do this?

We need to try to see it as if through the eyes of a Child.

     I will focus first on our Flesh Bodies and the senses we have. Every emotion, every sensation, every vision, every taste, smell and everything we feel is brought about through our body or mind. Without our senses, we would not have any concept of anything. Everything pertaining to our Bodies, whether it is physical or imaginary, is generated by something in our bodies, Even our very thoughts and dreams.

     We sometimes tend to put almost magical explanations when it comes to certain emotions or thoughts or dreams that we find difficult to explain.  However we look at this, it is still all generated by our bodies. I am not going to go into a discussion of the meaning of emotions or dreams or thoughts, I am simply saying that it all comes from the scientific wonder of our body and brain.  It has been said,  “Any science sufficiently advanced, will appear to be Magic to the primitives”.   In this case, I would be speaking of our mind and body, and ourselves as the primitives.  We only use 10 percent of our brains, as far as we know anyway, so how could we try to say we understand completely how it works?  We Cannot.

     Even the Biological wonder of the Human Brain is Mortal, and will someday run out of time. That brings us to the greatest question of all time. We are all appointed to die. No one is going to live forever, even though we all feel like we will. We won’t.  That great question has always been, what happens then?  Whatever it is that is going to happen, we are all going to experience it. No matter what our personal belief system may be. No matter how intelligent or opinionated we may be. We can either have an afterlife, or for argument’s sake, we just end, like turning off a light. Whatever it is that is going to happen, is inevitable. Fair enough?

     When our passing occurs, are bodies stop functioning. All the senses that were contained in that body also stop functioning. So if we do continue in a spiritual form, how can we feel, or experience what will happen next, since we no longer will be using our Body’s senses?  There are no physiological or neurological organs to process any information. They were left behind in the physical world.  This physical world we left, would also include everything in and around that world.  By that I mean ourselves, the world, the sky, the stars, everything. It is all included. If we can see it, feel it, observe it, or imagine it, no matter how deep inside we looked, or how far away we looked or envisioned it to be, it was all part of the physical realm. The realm our fleshly bodies were in. Even our very thoughts are manifested by physical means.

      Everything. Pain, pleasure, sight, feelings, whatever was in the past, or in the future, Every single thing that is real to us is part of the physical realm. The Universe is Creation, meaning it was created. If it was created, then someone had to have created it. Or, it could have all happened by chance. That would mean that chance would have made certain that every single thing everywhere was existing perfectly in its purpose, and perfectly in precise harmony with everything else. No matter how large or small it was. Or how far away and beyond our understanding it is.  Or whether we, as humans even noticed it. In my opinion, there are signs of the creator everywhere.

      I try to keep in mind, that God has created everything to Glorify Himself. Just because we are not aware of it, or cannot see it, does not mean that it was not created to Glorify God. From the smallest microbe, to the largest Galaxy. We cannot and will never understand, or even be aware of it all. As great as it all is, it is just a creation. As we are also. I cannot begin to comprehend how much Greater the Creator is.

      If there is indeed a Creator, then maybe we, as humans, should at the very least, try to understand that. Because, if that is the case, maybe we should wake up a little and pay some attention to that, and stop being worried about what people will think of us if we do.  Remember, God is Eternal. That means that there are no limits involved. God can take as much time as he wishes to care for anything. If he wants to concentrate on some tiny tree on a desert island he does. Or something we will never see or know about, he does. The Son Of Man is supreme and patient in everything. We, as Humans, are his children. All he asks of us is to believe and have faith in Him. That’s all.

      Take a second to let that sink in, so you can understand what I mean. When our life on Earth is over, everything will become new, I believe.  We would now be somewhere completely different. We are in the Spiritual Realm. It will probably be as new to us as the world is to a newborn child. This will be the awakening of our Eternal Soul, into everlasting truth and light.

     Let’s also say that sometime during our life, we were told about the existence of The Almighty God, the Everlasting Perfect Creator of everything, everywhere, including Heaven and everything therein Someone who exists above all, from past Eternity to future Eternity. Perfect, limitless, and loving. Beyond our capacity to understand. Even with our Eternal Soul.

     We were created for God to love us, and for us to love God. Everything that was seen, felt, known, imagined or explored in the vast physical universe was made for showing only a tiny speck of the Glory that is God. Perfect in his design. If Earth was the only planet that had life on it, think of the magnitude of the Love that was used in that creation. It is beyond even the very thought of beginning to be able to comprehend an explanation. At the same time, if there are trillions of other planets created in the same way as ours was, as science, the language of human intelligence would suggest, it would only prove to magnify the Glory and Perfection of God Almighty. Glory without Limits.

     During our lives, we learned that God existed in 3 persons. The Father, The Holy Spirit, and The Son. Each of which are God Himself. Ruling everything everywhere with an Almighty Agape Love. 

We also became aware, during our lives, that God had a plan. This plan not only included the world, but each and every person ever born on it individually.

     As I said before, God being the perfect Almighty Creator could not let anything enter into his presence that was not perfectly spotless and clean. I am referring to us. We were created in God’s image. Our soul was incorporated within us as we lived our life.  Being Human and corruptible, existing in our Mortal Flesh, our Soul was no longer clean. Meaning that we could not enter into the presence of God without our being able to cleanse it someway.  We are not able to do that, no matter what we do. We can never gain entry into the perfect house of God. We are responsible for the fact that we are unworthy. God had created us with the capability of Free Will, and even if we only ever did the smallest thing, or thought the smallest thought that was not perfect, it made us liable to have to experience eternal separation from God.

 There is however, Good News.

     I believe that God had and still has a plan for that. God would send down his only son to take our place at his judgment. The only person who could ever do that could only be God himself. No one else is worthy. No one else is able. It requires the Greatest act of Love possible. The Lord defines the meaning of the greatest love possible. “There is no greater Love than he who would lay down his life for his friends”.

God, being perfect in his ways, knew through Eternity that it would be necessary for someone to stand in our place when the time came. Not only did God know, But He created and designed it that way, to demonstrate the Greatest Love possible.

     Understanding God’s definition of this greatest love was shown to us over 2000 years ago. It was at that time when he sent his only Son to us. His name is Jesus. The Almighty Prince of Peace. Both Man and God Incarnate. He came to Earth to take our place and bear the burden of mankind’s inability to stand pure before the Throne of the Living God.

The price of that inability is death and separation from God for Eternity. God, in his mercy, is not willing that any should perish. So in his great love for us, God came and sentenced himself in our place. The entire penalty due billions was paid in full for all. No questions asked. God laid down his own life for his friends. Us.

     Incredible isn’t it?  OK, I need to make a point here. We grew up and most of us learned about this. It’s not like I am telling you something you don’t already know. However, consider this.  We all have this picture in our mind of stained glass pictures of clouds and Angels and figures with Halos over them depicting all these things.  Magnificent and Beautiful. But I think we miss something. This was not a far away God, unreachable and distant in the past, sitting on a cloud in some artist’s idea of heaven, looking down in judgment watching all this, all seeming so far away and vague. It is so much more than that. Please don’t misunderstand. Me. It is all beautiful and I love it. Here is my point.

     This person Jesus was, and is you’re very best friend. He did this for you! Personally. You and I. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and completely understands all we know and feel. He did this because he Loved you and I, and wanted to do it just for that reason. There is no reason to have any fear.

     Think of your best friend and how you feel about that person, and how they feel about you. Are you afraid?  Well of course not. You speak to each other. You do things with each other. You laugh and cry together. You know each others secrets. You enjoy each others company, and look forward to seeing that person. You are there for that person, and they are there for you. No matter what! No matter when!  They are part of you, and you them. You have a mutual trust that only best friends have. You can be silent together without tension, or talk all night on any subject. No matter how silly it may be.

      A friend! A best Friend! Somebody who will drop everything at 2 on a snowy morning and be there when you need them, no questions asked!  Somebody who will laugh at you’re Jokes, even when they aren’t funny. Or hit you with a pillow for the same reason and laugh about it anyway. Somebody who will never leave you, not ever. Someone who would lay down their very life for you, without hesitation. Someone you would never ever have to be afraid of, for any reason, and would accept you as you are Even if you were in trouble. Even if it was your fault. Someone who would listen and comfort you when your heart is broken and you are helpless and alone, and in mortal fear for your life, and have nothing to offer anyone and have been forgotten and discarded.

      When bitter tears of hopelessness that no one will ever see but you, run down your face in rivers and burn your skin like acid.  When you have reached the very end of yourself and your strength and you are staring over the edge of the abyss of despair, and the only direction you can take is forward and you are frozen in terror and indecision and crying out for anyone anywhere with no answer.  A friend is someone who will find you. No matter where you are, and wipe your tears away and replace them with hugs. A friend will hold your hand and stand beside you, and be willing to take your place if necessary.  A friend is someone who will love you unconditionally. For Ever.

     And his name is Jesus. And he is all that and much, much more.

     Not only did God send his only Son to take our place, and not only did he die. He was executed for us at a time in history when the form of execution was the most brutal the World has ever known. Crucifixion.

He then Rose again and returned to his rightful place. His task accomplished. This was called Salvation. Saving us all from the Eternal separation of God. This was freely given as a gift to all who would accept it.

     Now, all that is necessary for us to do is recognize this amazing gift, and accept it. There is nothing else that needs to be done.  I would think the gifts of Christmas are like this gift. Something given by your father. Just for you, and just what you needed. With a lot of thought and Love behind it. I remember when I was 10. I got a Bike for Christmas. It was great, and I loved it. Just what I needed And wanted! I couldn’t wait to show my friends. In fact I told my friends about it as soon as I could get dressed. We all have had moments something like that I’m sure.  But, you know what?  I could not have enjoyed that bike at all if I didn’t accept the gift could I?

     It’s the same way with God’s gift to us. All we have to do is accept his gift. That’s all there is to it. You don’t have to do anything else. You don’t have to do good works, you don’t have to stop anything that you are doing. You don’t have to become perfect and holy and all that.  You don’t have to stop whatever bad habits you may have, or hide them because you feel guilty. You don’t have to go to church 10 times a week and do all those things that people think they have to do. You don’t have to change anything at all. You simply are accepted exactly as you are. Faults and all. What a beautiful and wonderful gift.

     Think of this. God will accept you just the way you are. No questions. No Judging. Like that Christmas morning after I got the bike. I didn’t have to go and change into some fancy bike riding outfit and comb my hair or wash my face to go out and enjoy it.

I didn’t do anything. I just got up rolled the bike out the door, and rolled off cheering.

My parents stood in the door watching me. Smiling. They were as happy as I was I think. They were happy, cause I was happy. That’s it. They didn’t want anything in return. That’s what Love is. Love gives, and doesn’t ask for anything in return. Getting it now?

     In the early 70’s my parents died. Part of me died with them. I miss them to this day, and I would give anything to have them here for 10 minutes. Anything. But it doesn’t work like that I’m afraid, and life goes on. And it will. 

     In 1974 I accepted the great gift that God had to offer. Very quietly and privately I talked to God one day, and asked to be forgiven, and I was. I said I would accept his great gift and thanked him. You know what? From that minute my life turned totally around. It happened so fast that I didn’t even have time to realize what was going on. Before I even knew it, the incredible horrible situation I was in was just a memory. Everything was completely different and new! Looking back at it now, it still seems unreal. But it happened. It did. My story has never really been told about those days before and after I said that prayer. No one knows the entire story. I have never told anyone all of it. I take all the blame for the bad things, but I cannot take the credit for the good things. It was not myself doing it. It was God. I just happened to be in this body when it happened.

     In the days before this all happened?  I was at the end of the world. I had nothing. There is a very long story attached to that, however I’m not going to go into details of that right now. I will say this. It is an incredible amazing story, what happened to me. Like nothing you have ever heard before. Of this I am certain. If I was someone listening to it in full detail, not only would I be fascinated by it, I would be amazed by it. And it has nothing to do with anything I did. I cannot and will not take the credit. There is no way I could have done what I did back then. No way.

      I think that one reason I never told any of that is because people would think I was talking about myself and bragging. I have no interest in bragging, especially when it could be about me.  I suppose that I kept pretty much quiet because due to my own fallibility and self doubt. I knew I would not be able to live up to whatever lifestyle people would have expected from me. So I didn’t say anything more about it. However, I think that it may be time for me to change that. I think I may start telling that story now. I feel that someone needs to hear it. I feel that very strongly, so yes, I will start talking about it. If anybody is actually reading this, please take note. If I do tell my story, remember, I’m just repeating what happened, nothing more. Some people will like it, some won’t like it. Some people will not believe it, some will. I’m sure that some will think It’s not true or whatever. Again, No one has ever heard this. Not anywhere. Not even members of my family. This happened to me, and even I can hardly believe it. If I didn’t live through it myself, I probably would not. So, I will just repeat the story and leave it at that.

     Well as I started to say at the beginning of this. To look at it through the eyes of a child.

When we get to the Spiritual Realm, after our lives, The first thing we may see would be a person waiting there with outstretched hands. This would be Jesus. And as we would get closer we could feel the feeling of peace until we would be standing face to face. This is our Everlasting Father who has been there throughout our entire life. Which to us, would feel like it was ages. But for him, it was not. He was there. The entire time. Watching over us.

     God, in his wisdom, always knew that we would take the wrong road sometimes. Sometimes, even on purpose. He knew everything we would do and think. From the second of conception to the second of our passing.  There is no way to measure love on that scale. My mind cannot comprehend it. Neither can it comprehend what it will feel like to finally see him, knowing that every single thing I have done wrong has been forgiven. Put as far as the East is from the West. Knowing that it is all true.

      Being in Heaven will be great enough, knowing that we are there, because he wanted us to be with Him, regardless of our faults. Knowing that our faults are forgiven, because He Himself took our place for them and that is why we are there, is beyond words.  As I said, The Son Of Man has power over everything. Even our sins, they are no more, because they have been erased Forever!  The price has been paid. Our Father has paid, making us free. You will not be held accountable. You will not have to prove anything to justify your being there. At that moment, you will realize that it was all done in Love. Now our unseen heavenly Father, who has watched and guided us our entire life, is standing before us with outstretched arms, welcoming us home.

     How could you describe heaven? What could heaven be like?  Well through the eyes of a child, who was gone and now has returned home, and embraces his father, heaven could not be any better than that moment.  Finally safe. Finally home. Safe and finally home. At last.

Thanks for listening
G

Lucid Dreams and other things

Hello
     My blog is titled Lucid American Dreams, I know. I also know that I do get off the subject once in a while. This is way off the subject, and I felt led to write about it. So, I'm going to put in my little 2 cents on something important on my mind.

     I actually took a year off from posting, and it has been a very interesting year, to say the very least. I am in the process now, of writing it all down. It's going to take me a few days to get my notes put together and get some of it on here. I have been all over the place this past year, and seen things and experienced things, I never thought I would. Looking back on most of my life, that's saying a lot, even for me.

     Lets just say that I have seen a cross section of life in America. I'm not talking about traveling around in an RV and stopping off at tourist places, like we see on TV. I wish I was. I saw another face of America. The one that most people will never see. Not even on your television. There are a lot of people out there that really have no voice in things, who are never seen or remembered, or even noticed. Each one has a story. Each one deserves to be heard.  There is just so much to write about, that I have not decided where to begin yet.  I have personally experienced some of the worst situations you can find yourself in today. Taking into account, the current state of the economy, I guess.

     I'm not talking about things like Gas prices, or maybe having some problems with your Cell Phone, or being late for work. Or maybe keeping up with fashion, or peer pressure, or throwing parties or going to the movies. Or maybe figuring  out where to go for dinner, or relationship problems, or paying bills, or worrying about whatever it may be. All the things that we all, including myself, take for granted. We just don't realize it.  Everything that makes up the lives of Media fed America. Its all good though, don't get me wrong. God bless you all. I mean that. I do.
   
      The problems we face are serious. I'm not saying they are not. I am just trying to bring up a perspective comparison, that we should be thankful for what we do have, because there are many many people who don't have any of that. I'm talking about the people who are living with everything you watch on TV. The ones who live in a reality that is becoming bigger every day. I am talking about the forgotten, scared, desperate, lonely people of America. They are The Homeless. And there, but by the Grace of God we could all end up. Even though we all think we are invincible, and that it could never happen to us, and that we could never get into that situation. Not us. Sometimes we look at it and shrug and say that It is their own fault, or they are lazy, or its not my problem. Sometimes we don't care at all, or forget about them when we get home after driving past them on the street.  Well, That's what they said and did too.  When I get this written down on here, you will see what I mean.
   
      You know that saying, "If it ain't broke don't fix it"?  Well, this is broke. and we need to fix it. I'm not talking about buying some T shirt or a hat or  something to maybe support a show you saw on TV about it, because it makes you feel better, or it's taking some kind of side in Politics or opinions with friends somewhere, at a party or something. Or pointing our fingers and blaming somebody   (usually not ourselves).  If we even talk about it at all.  Listen, I did the same thing myself. I'm not accusing anybody, because that does not help either. And I don't mean for it to sound like that. We all spend way too much time accusing and laying the blame on things like that. It actually becomes part of the problem after a while.  However, if it does appear that I am accusing, then you can include me too.  I am just as guilty.

   Well, while we are all arguing about who is right or who is wrong, or who is to blame for this or who didn't do this right or that right, in the end, what does it matter, or amount to or solve?    Nothing.  That's what.  It solves nothing.   That is the truth, and the truth hurts.   These people don't care about anyone's opinion, or whether or not you won an argument at a party about the situation, they need help. I know, I have been there. I know how that feels.


    My advise would be simple.   Don't wait till it comes up and bites you, because it will. It bites hard too. Trust me, I know.  I wish I had the full answer, but I don't. However, as one who has been there, and has seen this firsthand, and by that I mean, experiencing it, and all the misery and pain and horror that comes with it, what is needed is clear. Even some of the solutions are clear. It is the application of the solution that is the problem. Even, let's say, that if every person in every town donated just one dollar a week for maybe a month, or a week, or even only once in a while, to a local shelter or program, not only would it send much needed resources directly to help, but it would automatically create jobs to process it. Jobs for them and for others. Remember, we are not the only ones with financial problems. The economy effects these programs too. One of the first steps would be, I guess, Awareness, and Careness. These people being affected, just don't have the time for us not to at least know about what is going on.  I was just like everybody else too. I just didn't know how serious it was. So please, just take a look at the situation. Guys, if we all got together on this, we could actually fix one of the problems facing us for a change. Some of this stuff has been going on for way to long now, don't you think? Myself? well, I can't believe how selfish and blind I was to not notice how bad it had become.

 This is just one problem too. there are so many facing us today. You know what? Every single one of these problems can be corrected. After all, we caused  them didn't we? Well, we can fix them too now.  Or, we can always  go back to our texts and chats and video games, and forget about it, let it all fall apart, and wait till somebody else does it.

      There are answers. And there are solutions. We all just have to care enough to do the right thing for the right reason. Also, whoever would be in charge, would need to listen and understand, and have the courage and compassion to also do the right thing for the right reason. We need to stop pointing fingers and arguing and debating, and complaining, while we are sitting in our living rooms safe and secure. This includes me too. This needs to be corrected.  This can be corrected.   Not just accepted as another problem that affects somebody else, and can wait.   It can't wait.  When it happens to people, it happens fast.  It destroys your life before you can even react. No matter who we are. No matter how untouchable we think we are. None of us is.   One day you are fine, the next day you are looking for cans for food. Fighting for your life. All alone, dirty and discarded.  And this world doesn't have any video games or TV, or parties, or cell phones in it either. This world just has a devastating reality that will burn right to your soul. This is the world that I saw. This is the world I lived in. In this world, you find out who your friends are real quick. And all of those people you knew? All those opinionated party friends?  Well, get ready for some real creative excuses why they are not able to help you. You are on your own my friend. They are just not coming. The party is over. Believe me, when you wake up in the morning and God forbid, you find yourself there, It's gonna be too late to debate it and forget it then. Now you have all the time you need to think about all the arguments and debates you won about this. Yup, while your standing in the bread line watching them drive past, ignoring you.  Don't think this cannot happen to you either, because it can happen. I pray it never does.

     Anyway, as I said, It has been an interesting year.  I really do have some stories to write about it. Not just stories either. This actually happened to me. And then some. So thanks for reading. I have missed you.
Peace
G

A True Story

Hi
A while back I wrote a story about Faith vs Evolution.  At the end of the post I wrote that I would put my confidence in Faith.  I actually had a very good reason for saying that, even though I did not mention it at the time.  I have been thinking about it, so I thought I would explain why I said that.   What I'm going to write here, Is only one instance where Faith has dramatically changed the course of my life.  There are many times I can refer to today, However for now I will just bore you with the one OK?      This is a true story. 

In 1983, I was working in New Jersey. I had a good job. We contracted out to Major Automotive and Aerospace Firms around the world.  The job was developing, testing, and producing Mass Fuel flow consumption modules, that would set up the various engines.  Everything from Motorcycles and cars, to Jets and Rockets.  Great job. The firm is no longer in business now, but that's not important.  I'm just referring to what It was.

Anyway, in 1983, I decided to move closer to my family.  They lived about 60 miles north of me. I had done a lot of thinking about it. When the time came to make the decision, I felt I was doing the right thing.  So I took my severance and  and went off  to live with my family.  The only thing I didn't actually do was secure another job.  I was young and made a stupid mistake.  Please don't ever do that. always plan ahead.

After being with my family for about 3 months, and the severance gone, and finding no job except the Car wash of all places, I began to wonder if I had done the right thing.   Yes and No.
Now I have no money, no car, no job.  I am pounding the pavement. Getting more frustrated by the second.

    Now, I would just like to add something here. Several years before this happened, I had found myself in a bad situation. I found myself in a position where  the only answer was to try what people had been telling me about for most of my life. Faith. Faith in God, and Faith in Prayer. At that time, I was no different from a lot of people. I paid no attention to it, and actually wanted nothing to do with it. It was just not the popular thing to do, and I avoided it. I even used to joke about it, for whatever reason. Peer pressure, being stubborn, close minded, and all that. That changed one day, when I had finally reached the point where it was the only answer, so I tried it. Well, it changed my life. Completely turned it around. Believe me, I was the last person I or anyone else would have ever expected to do that. When I did, it was just an amazing thing. It still is. I found the power of Faith and prayer. That however is another story. Not for now. I just needed to put that in so you would understand the rest of this.

   So I start to pray about the situation.  Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to preach to you, I would not be any good at it anyway. However, I needed to add that to make my point.   So I get up one morning and think, "I will have faith that I will find a job".  So I say a prayer and off I go. On foot.

Pretty boring so far huh?   It gets better.      After a day of walking in the hot sun, I get to the edge of town, and see this big warehouse.  It's like 750,000 square ft.  I go to the guard house and ask for an application.   That's as far as I got.  I filled it out and left it with them and went home.

The very next day I got a call from them.   It seems the night before, 8 Admins had resigned.  They needed help right away, and had just received my application.  I of course accepted.  I thought it was a major coincidence.  I could not have timed that better if I had planned it to happen that way.    Now I had to take a physical and get steel toe work boots, which I didn't have and could not afford. I could not work there without them.   So, I thought about it for a few hours, said another prayer and went for a walk.  I had exactly 15 Dollars.  Talk about taking a step in Faith?  That is just what I did that day.  I started walking. Had no Idea what was about to happen.

I walked downtown and was looking in windows of Stores, Till something caught my eye.  A Used TV Store. You know the kind.  Old TVs in the faded dull windows. Clutter inside. Full of old parts and stuff.   So I go inside and  the guy says, "May I help you?"   So I respond by saying, "Do you sell steel toe shoes?"   Remember, I'm in  a TV store. I probably had about as much a chance of finding steel tip shoes here, as I would a Cheeseburger.   I actually felt stupid even asking that. However, I was in for a surprise.

I will remember what happened next as long as I live.     This man says, "there is a pair in the back room brand new size 10.5.  (my size).  I go dig in the back room and find them and return to the manager with the shoes.  I said I didn't have a lot of money, but I needed them for work.  So He says, "15 dollars will do it".  Now I couldn't have been more surprised If I grew wings.  That was just how much I had.   I could not have planned that any better.  It was like it was meant to be.   The first place I passed, A TV store, of all places, I went in and found the very thing I needed, for exactly the right price.  So now I had the shoes.

The same kind of coincidence 2 days in a row? Or was it something more?   Was this the actual proof of an answer to Prayers?   Well what else could it have been?    That kind of stuff doesn't just happen.   So now I have my new job. I have my passed  drug tests and all that,  and I have the Shoes I needed. Pretty much all in a day.  Every single thing I mentioned in my prayers. Simple honest prayers.   I didn't think coincidence. I knew it was more. I believe that to this day. I have too. What else could it have possibly been?

I started my job. A Temp on 3rd shift. Data Entry. Paid next to nothing, But I was working.    I got full time 11 months later, and was put in charge 4 years later, being paid more than I had dreamed. This was no coincidence my friends.   I found myself in a position to personally sponsor my town 100 tutors to teach people to read, and finance a major part of a soup kitchen for 10 years, for them to eat. As I said before in  another post here.   I did that cause it was  the right thing to do at the time.  I ended up the largest single contributor to a Major charity in the History of my county. I found myself standing on a stage getting Humanitarian Awards for 10 years in a row. Every time, every year, I could not believe I was standing there. I knew I could not do this on my own, and would have never tried. This was God answering a simple prayer, and working. To this day, I am convinced it was a Miracle. There I was, Me, doing that.  I did not deserve it. When I think of all those people, Getting food and learning to speak and read English, I am so thankful to God, for answering me, and then doing all that.  It just shows, You never Know.

 This actually reminds me of something I heard once. The story of the man who was stuck deep in a well, hanging on to a branch sticking out from the side. Hanging on for dear life in the dark, trying not to fall. Looking up he hears a voice saying, "let go! trust me, let go!" There was someone at the top of the well looking down, who could see all the way to the bottom of the well where the man holding on could not see in the dark.  The man hears, but still is too afraid to let go. Afraid he will fall. Finally when he runs out of strength, he has to let go of the branch. When he does, his feet touch, and he is standing on solid ground. He was hanging only six inches from the bottom, and could not see it in the dark.  The man at the top could see that and was trying to tell him the whole time.
All he had to do was to listen and trust what he was saying. Sometimes, that is all we have to do too, just listen, have some Faith, and let go.  That is what I did back then, and it worked for me. That's all I know. Thought I would throw that in there. Anyway back to what I was saying.

    I'm not bragging, Don't get me wrong here.  That's not my style. I even tried to keep that quiet, and did for a few years.  The Charity wanted to recognize me for what I did, and so did the company I worked for.  I finally agreed.  Besides, if I didn't mention that part, this would lose some credibility. It's just part of the story that's all.  I'm no better than anyone else is.  I needed to have the moral of this story sink in.  Great things grow out of nothing, And ordinary people like me can do more than we can imagine.  It all begins with that first little step. God does indeed work in mysterious ways. Without a prayer and some Faith, None of that would have taken place. I would have never in a million years done anything like that on my own. I also do not take any credit for that. I still don't fully understand. But, it happened.  The details of all that are also another story. I will make it a point to write about that. It is all just Incredible.

What I'm trying to say here is this.  I took a step in faith and moved. I took another step and Got my job, Then another and another.  coincidence?  Well looking at it with just pure facts, It's possible. I certainly don't have all the answers. All I can do is tell the story. Whether it was planned or not, well, It is what it is. The facts can just speak for themselves. All I know is that I was in trouble, I tried having some faith, and everything changed. Not just for me, but for a lot of people. So please, come to your own conclusions. All I know is, That's what happened to me.  This was planned, and not by me either. As I said, God does work in mysterious ways. We don't really need to understand why.  Just follow your heart my friends. follow your heart. Sometimes that is not always easy, I know. Usually though, our very first logical reaction to a problem is the Heart telling us the correct thing to do. Even though we know it is, we don't always act on that logic, and do the easy thing instead, because the easy thing usually is, well, it's easy. Maybe even more fun, or whatever. Deep inside though, we know what we should do. Or should have done. It is Human nature to take the most attractive way out. Some of the hardest choices we will ever make, have the answers right in front of us. We just need to listen, think, and decide. And it's not always going to be easy. As I look back, I can see that now. My heart was right all along. I just needed to learn the Language of the Heart. I could have avoided a whole lot of pain. Learning the language of the heart, it seems, is the first key to understanding, and Wisdom. As I have said, Wisdom is not always for those who may have it. It is for the ones who hear it.  I wish I could have seen that when I was 22 years old, but living in the real world, it just does not work that way I guess. We all have to live and learn. That's life. But if I could, I would look back at me at 22, and say, "Let Go! Trust me. Let Go"!  But that's just me.
Well that's a long story made short.  All I can say is, no matter how bad things look, have Faith.
Peace  G

Recalling my first Lucid Dream experience

Hi
     I thought I would talk about the very first Lucid Dream I ever had.   I was doing all the steps every day, and getting a little discouraged, but I had no idea of what was about to happen.
That first dream.  Now any of you who have experienced it, you know exactly what I am talking about.  There are just no words...I will try however, to relate it. Remember, I am just relating dreams. Dreams that I was able to remember.  I have found that remembering dreams is the most important thing. This first time was something I will always remember. I had never experienced anything like it.  Actually, I was getting ready to give up on Lucid Dreaming. I was having no success at all.     Until this happened.

     It was just before I woke up.  I was in that half awake half asleep phase, where sometimes abstract images sort of float around in your mind. Little memories of things you have seen, or remembered. Kind of like a half awake daydream.  Nothing out of the ordinary, when bang, this array of colors appears. It begins to swirl around like a whirlpool, getting more colorful every second. Like a pattern of rectangles spinning down.

     I remember thinking, "reality check now!"  I remember thinking it and doing it.  I held up my hand... (in the dark room)   and looked and glanced away, and looked again.  It was different.   Immediately This pattern got as bright as a painting on a wall, and I thought  "This is it!  Its really happening!  As soon as I thought that, The swirling got bigger and closer and Started to pull me down into it.  Now this was not scary, and I was not afraid at all.  I knew I was asleep!  I knew I was dreaming!.   I knew it and was cheering all the way down, Like on the best roller coaster you can imagine. Which of course is exactly what it was too!

     There are actually no words to describe this correctly.  There was no doubt in my mind, This was the real thing.  This incredible feeling came over me. Peace and comfort. I will NEVER forget it!   I reached the bottom of this whirlpool thing on the side of a mountain with this amazing green grass.   It reminded me a little of the scene from   The Sound Of Music, where they are running down the hill.

     What I did next will stay forever in my mind.   I started to run and flap my arms like a bird would.   In the waking world you would never do such a thing,  because It's well...impossible to fly you know?  It is impossible. At least when you are awake anyway.   In here?  I knew I was dreaming and It was possible here.   So, well,  off I flew!   For some reason, I had to keep my arms moving or I would descend.  I remember trying that a time or two and just took right off again.  What a feeling!

      The next thing I knew I was going up and into that whirlpool thing again.  Then I woke up. Stunned.  I could not believe what had just happen. So I put it in the Journal, and went about the day.   Could not wait  to sleep again... Even now, it seems strange to be writing about this. I know how it sounds. If I was somebody reading this, I would not believe it.  As strange as it may sound, it did happen.  I'm just writing it down.

     That is a short version of what happened.   My friends..When The first dream happens, trust me you will know. There will be no doubt in your mind.  For those of you who have felt this, you know just what I'm talking about.         Totally   Completely  astonishing.     If you are just starting out with this, Keep going.  Just keep doing the steps. Trust me, It will be worth it! 
Peace G