May 17, 2006

  • MEDICAL INSURANCE EXPLAINED

    Q. What does HMO stand for?
    A.
    This is actually a variation of the phrase, “HEY MOE.” Its roots go
    back to a concept pioneered by Moe of the Three Stooges, who discovered
    that a patient could be made to forget the pain in his foot if he was
    poked hard enough in the eye.
    ———————————————

    Q. I just joined an HMO. How difficult will it be to choose the doctor I want?
    A.
    Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer
    will provide you with a book listing all the doctors in the plan. The
    doctors basically fall into two categories–those who are no longer
    accepting new patients, and those who will see you but are no longer
    participating in the plan. But don’t worry, the remaining doctor who is
    still in the plan and accepting new patients has an office just a
    half-day’s drive away and a diploma from a third world country.

    ———————————————
    Q. Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification?
    A. No. Only those you need.

    ———————————————
    Q. Can I get coverage for my preexisting conditions?
    A. Certainly, as long as they don’t require any treatment.
    ———————————————
    Q What happens if I want to try alternative forms of medicine?
    A. You’ll need to find alternative forms of payment.

    ———————————————
    Q.
    My pharmacy plan only covers generic drugs, but I need the name brand.
    I tried the generic medication, but it gave me a stomach ache. What
    should I do?
    A. Poke yourself in the eye.
    ———————————————

    Q. What if I’m away from home and I get sick?
    A. You really shouldn’t do that.
    ———————————————

    Q.
    I think I need to see a specialist, but my doctor insists he can handle
    my problem. Can a general practitioner really perform a heart
    transplant right in his/her office?
    A. Hard to say, but considering that all your risking is the $20 co-payment, there’s no harm in giving it a shot.
    ———————————————

    Q. Will health care be different in the next century?
    A. No, but if you call right now, you might get an appointment by then.

    Well,
    now that you know so much more about health insurance from the
    professional that was polled… lol  I hope you have a great
    weekend!  Shawn and I will be going Saturday to Chatanooga to pick
    up his youngest, Vanessa, and then to North Carolina to visit his dad’s
    relatives.  :sigh: wish I had the time to visit a couple friends
    from Xanga who live there, and my friend Candy, or at least stop for an
    ice cream as we head on home.

May 8, 2006

  • I will post this
    as a friend
    sending it to me requested.  I feel pretty informed after hearing
    some great teaching about the things in the book that were being used
    to make Jesus seem less than the deity being He was and is.  I also feel
    I have enough information to refute claims of ‘facts’ that aren’t even
    historically factual from the book (about the art it’s self and
    meetings of papal councils, etc.) that I could use to show someone the
    book is nothing more than fiction and the movie, being based on the
    book, is just meant to be a good story, not meant for use to dispute
    Christianity and Jesus’ pure and holy life.  Anyway, here is an
    idea some feel would make Hollywood take notice of the Christian’s
    views of this movie.


    This is an interesting idea of protesting this movie!  Thought I would

    pass it on.
      Folks, here
    is a forwarded email from a Christian screenwriter in Hollywood. 
    I recommend this strategy regarding the Da Vinci Code. Let’s all do
    this! Of course, I believe we should do BOTH C & D, but I hope you
    get the point.

        —————————————————  

      WHAT ARE YOU DOING MAY 19TH?

     

      May 19th is the date the Da Vinci  Code movie opens. A movie based on

      a book that
    wears its heresy and  blasphemy as a badge of honor.  What
    can we as Christians do in  response to the release of this movie?
    I’m going to offer you the usual choices — and a new one.

     

      Here are the usual suspects:  

     

      A) We can ignore the movie. ……..

     

      The problem
    with this  option: The box office is a ballot box. The only people
    whose votes are  counted are those who buy tickets. And the ballot
    box closes on  the Sunday of opening weekend.  If you stay
    home, you have lost your  chance to make your vote heard. You have
    thrown your vote away, and from  Hollywood’s point of view, you
    don’t count. By staying home, you do nothing to shape the
    decision-making process regarding what movies will make it to the big
    screen.

     

      B) We can protest. ……..  

     

      The problem
    with this option: It doesn’t work. Any publicity is good publicity.
    Protests not only fuel the box office, they make all Christians look
    like idiots. And again, protests and boycotts do nothing to help shape
    the decisions being made right now about what movies Hollywood will
    make in the next few years.   (Or they convince Hollywood to
    make *more* movies that will provoke Christians to protest, which will
    drive the box office up.)

     

      C) We can
    discuss the movie. We can be rational and be ready with study guides
    and workshops and point-by-point refutations of the lies promulgated by
    the movie. ……..

     

      The problem
    with this option: No one’s listening. They think they know what we’re
    going to say already.  We’ll lose most of these discussions
    anyway, no matter how prepared we are, because the power of story
    always trumps the power of facts (why do you think Jesus taught in
    parables?!).  And once again: rational discussion of history does
    nothing to affect Hollywood’s choices regarding what movies to make.

    But there’s a fourth choice.

     

      D) On May
    19th, you should go to the movies.  Just go to another
    movie.  Save the date now. May 19th, or May 20th. No later than
    Sunday, May 21st — that’s  the day the ballot box closes. You’ll
    get a vote, the only vote Hollywood recognizes: The power of cold hard
    cash laid down on a box office window on 0pening weekend.

     

      Use your vote. Don’t throw it away. Vote for a movie other than DVC.

      If enough
    people do it, the powers that be will notice. They won’t have a
    choice.  The major studio movie scheduled for release against DVC
    is the DreamWorks animated feature Over the Hedge.  The trailers
    look  fun, and you can take your kids. And your friends.  And
    their friends.  In fact, let’s all go see it.  Let’s rock the
    box office in a way no one expects — without protests, without
    boycotts, without arguments, without rancor. Let’s show  up at the
    box office ballot box and cast our votes. And buy some popcorn, too.

     

      May 19th. Mark your calendars now: Over the Hedge’s opening weekend.  Buy a ticket.

     

      And spread
    the word. Forward this e-mail to all the Christians in your address
    book.  Post it on your blogs.  Talk about it to your
    churches.  And let’s all go to the movies.


    A good movie would be nice for us all I guess.

    And the book I’ve listed as currently reading
    is set up in a way that helps when talking with anyone who has been
    misled into doubting their faith by reading the book or seeing the
    movie.


May 3, 2006

  • Dancing With God

     When I meditated on the word  Guidance,

    I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word.  

     I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.  

     When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.  

     The movement doesn’t flow with the music,  

     and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.  

     When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,  

     both bodies begin to flow with the music.  

     One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back  

     or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.  

     It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully.   

     The dance takes surrender, willingness,  

     and attentiveness from one person  

     and gentle guidance and skill from the other.  

     My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.  

     When I saw “G: I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i”.  

     “God, “u” and “i” dance.”  

     God, you, and I dance.  

     As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust  

     that I would get  guidance about my life.  

     Once again, I became willing to let God lead.  

     My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings  

     and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.  

     May you abide in God as God  

     abides in you.  

     Dance together with God, trusting God to lead  

     and to guide you through each season of your life.  

     This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.  

     If God has done anything for  

     you in your life,  

     please share this message with someone else,  

     for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.  

     There is no cost but a lot of rewards;  

     so let’s continue to pray for one another.  

     And I Hope You Dance

    I got this in an email and thought I’d share it with you.

  • Forty-five Years Ago Today…
    Yeah, today makes me old.  Oh well… I’ll make the best of it.
    I hope you all are enjoying a beautiful day today!  Be blessed!

May 1, 2006

  • I have cartoons that are funny, but not funny… :sigh:

    I decided to scan and post them after seeing Ponder_ing’s entry a couple days ago.

    I guess we may as well smile about these things, but the gas prices have played havoc with my budget.!

    Anyway,
    busy day today so this is it.  Have a blessed week and remember to
    name the things for which you can be thankful.  It sure helps.

April 28, 2006

  • OK, I gotta share this…


    Inspired by Terri’s list, I am thankful for a number of things.  Another Teri on here does a thankful list fairly often and I get warm fuzzies when I read their lists (and usually smile a lot as I read them).  It brings my mind back to the things for which I have much gratitude.


    Are we ready?


    OK


    I am thankful for:



    • Grace and mercy, showered on hard heads like me each and every day and the second (& 3rd & 4th & 1000th) chances this allows us to have to learn a lesson and get it right.
    • Family that encourages, supports and at times, corrects you, to help you become the best person you can be.
    • Modern conveniences and technologies that allow for those of us who have a hectic pace to still get to things like a good meal for the family and keep in touch with distant friends more often.
    • Being born in a country where God can be worshiped freely (though some are trying to change that it seems) and where we can say and do things without fear of imprisonment or torture, as long as it doesn’t harm others.
    • The men and women who have served in the military forces, recently and throughout the history of this country, to insure the freedoms are kept alive for posterity.
    • Shawn
    • My new business and the opportunties it’s brought me.
    • Hugs
    • Sunshine and warm days.
    • Grandbabies!!!!
    • Music and art, that soothes, inspires, causes deeper thought and generally keeps your mind and heart healthy when they are present regularly.
    • Worship, time with others who believe and the ability to continue learning about what God intended for us to do and be here on this Earth.

    Alright, there are many more, but that will do for now.  I’ll save a few for another day.  But the best thing is, even if I wrote all I could think of today, there’d be a ton more for tomorrow!!  Thank you Lord. I pray each one reading these finds at least one for which they are also thankful and it sets their minds on the things in their own life that are joys to them, even if they are having some difficulties for the moment.  Amen.

April 26, 2006

April 21, 2006

  • OK, a quick update on the appointment for the house to be seen by the nice lady…


    She came by before I had all my cleaning finished, but liked it anyway and we talked of our church’s and Christian living and remarriage and kids and so many things… it seemed I had known her for a long time before just this initial meeting.  We each have prayed for a solution to some issues and are thinking maybe the Lord has had us cross paths for a reason.  She wants to stop back over with her husband Sunday.  If he agrees about the place, it is possible we will have an offer and better yet, if we need a few months to get a house built, we may be able to rent the house they own presently!  They’d only want enough to make their house payment so they won’t owe two payments a month.  WOW!  I’ll say it backwards… WOW…  We’ll just keep praying and see what happens.


    Have a great weekend everyone!

April 20, 2006

  • Things can get sooooo busy.


    But even amidst the busy times, I am grateful and blessed.  So I wanted to stop by to say hello and I pray you’re blessed as well.


    A sweet, hard-working, young lady who was a part of our youth group when I was a youth leader at the church I attended a few years ago, could use your prayers.  Especially her younger sister, as their dad committed suicide this past weekend.  Please pray for this family during their time of loss.


    I am burning a couple of candles at both ends and can use prayer for strength and wisdom as I prioritize my lists.  Also, a lady called to view the house and with the ‘buyer’s market’ we have here in Middletucky  it is a less common occurrence than I’d like.  So your prayers to help us work with her on the price, etc. would be greatly appreciated if she feels it would fit her needs and makes an offer.


    OK, on with my day!  Carpe Diem!  Be blessed and share the blessings with those you meet today.

April 12, 2006

  • I read a couple emails today that had a good thought or two… so I shall share them:


     Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up
    and permanently set.
                           *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*                    
      Peace starts with a smile.
                           *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*     


    I liked them anyway.


    ^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*^&^*



    I saw this on Tooty’s site earlier and wanted to share the pic, in light of it being the week that precedes Easter.


    #$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!#$#!


    I have news and have not been talking much of personal issues on here for some time.  I have made a number of choices in the last year.  Some financial in nature, some spiritual, of which I have spoken and some more personal.  Of choices that fall into the last of the three categories, I have not written much since I was trying to avoid any hurt feelings for anyone involved, but if I intend to maintain this site and continue posting and sharing important occurrences, I suppose I should address this, if only briefly.


    Many of my friends are aware that I began the Xanga site due to Mike making it known to me and he had his site, then a new one and we each used this medium to keep family and friends up to date on things in our lives while living away from them.  Then, returning to the area in which many of our family and friends lived, we were less apt to post.  I like the site due to the community mindset that many have and I appreciate so many of you for your encouragment and thought-provoking entries.  So I hope to still post as things settle a bit and keep up with the ‘friends’ made through this arena.


    In saying that, I want to also mention that, though there was no ugly split or huge fight, Mike and I have not been a couple for quite a while now… most of the year I mentioned earlier.  Since our parting, many changes have occured in me, and I feel they have been necessary changes, even if difficult.  My faith has increased, my attitude towards finances and my stepping out to begin a business has given me opportunities I’d not have afforded with the regular 7:30-4:00 job I had.  Also, my views toward ministry and relationships has done some changing.  I feel much more open to what God has called me to do, more capable and focused as well, and I believe a big part of this shift has been due to the Lord’s bringing Shawn across my path.  I’ll leave this for now, I just wanted to thank any of you who prayed with me about decisions I needed to make and let you know, the prayers have been working in and through me to bring me nearer to what I was called and meant to be.  So Thank You.


    Have a blessed Easter and use the time between now and Sunday to pray for the harvest.  Many attend services only on Easter and Christmas.  Be useful to the Kingdom, all you who are a part already.  It’s not the eggs and bunny folks.


    +=+!+=+!+=+!+=+!+=+!+=+!+=+!+=+!+=+!+=+!+=+!


    Another quote from an email I received…


     The task ahead of us is never as great as the
    Power behind us.