Denial

Often my wife and I are asked how we lost so much weight and still look healthy and happy. While we do not mind telling people, most do not wish to hear what we say.

On one such occasion a man asked, "What diet are you on?"

"We eat plant based foods."

"So, you don't eat meat," he understood.

"Correct. We don't eat meat. We eat fruit and vegetables."

"What do you eat?" he asked with seemly little understanding.

"We eat fresh plant based foods. And we don't do dairy."

"What do you eat?" He questioned again.

"Oh, and do don't do eggs or poultry."

"But what do you eat?" he asked with large eyes.

Such conversations are normal. Several have said how hard it must be to deny ourselves of so many good foods. I have laughed at this because this is my choice to eat this way. I love this type of food.

But in truth, I deny myself little.

I eat what and when I want.
I buy what I want.
I drive what road and speed I want.
I think what I want.
I say what I want (some restrictions may apply).
I spend much of my time the way I want.
I watch what movies I want.
I buy Starbucks when I want.
I "give" what and when I want.
I pray when I want.
I help others when I want.

This tells much of my story when interpreted with insight ... it is all about me and what I want. I am pretty much in denial about denying myself. Some see me as a bastion of selflessness. However, I know how deceiving my small works and words can be.

Yes, I pray when I want, but often I should pray and don't.

Yes, I help others when I want, but far too often I only help those who will not cramp my style or life.

This is what has awakened the blog from a deep slumber ... denial. The word is troubling my spirit. I need a change. Not to deny myself for the sake of sacrifice or discipline (though they are good causes), but because I am so "not" like Christ.

God, I need your help on this one. I want too much of what I want. Help me realize that denying myself for You is probably not denial at all, but obedience which helps direct me to fulfillment.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24 NIV84)

Happy Father's Day

Any male can make a child, but it takes a man to be a father. Thank you fathers. Your children will honor and bless you in your age.

Lest I Forget

It was 1968 in I Corps, South Vietnam, some months after the devastating Tet Offensive.  A circuit-riding Army chaplain, his assistant, and I took a Sunday jeep drive to a church service in the nearby suburbs of what was left of Hue.  The church building had been damaged during hostile and friendly fire, and now allied forces were helping to replace the roof.

Imbedded in my memory of that worship service is the sound of a male quartet singing "Lest I Forget Gethsemane."  The words sounded foreign to my ears, but the melody was familiar, and Gethsemane still sounded like Gethsemane.  One of the singers was a Vietnamese college student who had recently lost a leg to bombing.  And there he was on crutches, singing his heart out.

To this day, I'm not sure this memory has a happy ending.  But shortly after, my chaplain buddy successfully raised contributions from the troops to fit that maimed student with an artificial limb.  And this Memorial Day weekend, I remember.  dlt

Written by my big brother, Daniel, who faithfully served our country for over 23 years in the U.S. Army.

Memorial Day -- In Their Honor

Heroes

I do not care much for politics.
Most politicians I could never trust.

Celebrities or movie stars do nothing for me.
Though they may be famous, they do little to influence my life.

I have no desire to rub shoulders with the affluent or wealthy.
Though they may have great resources, they have invested little into my life.

Though I like music, musicians are but those who use their talents.
One may make beautiful harmony, but he will not lay down his life for me.

I do not get very excited about sport activities, college or professional.
Though athletes may be very good at what they do, they are not my heroes.

My heroes are those who have served our country and given their lives for my freedom.

And to you, I give thanks.

Though many may use this day as an extended weekend for whatever ...

I remember, and I honor you.

We Choose To Remember

Keys to Piano Moving

So the floors of the house are done and the furniture is ready to be moved back into place, wherever that may be. It will be decided upon by the lady of the house ... over and over again. *sigh*

One dilemma left to us by the now very absent delinquents floor workers is the 100+ year old upright. While this would never intimidate my machismo, I find there is a fine tuned string between being intimidated and being over matched. While most old uprights weigh in between 300-500 hundred pounds, I am darn sure this piano has gained everything I have lost. Four guys grunted and groaned moving this major monstrosity three feet. Three of them are now gone, probably humming a song of thanksgiving.

However, lest I diminish this post into something minor, let me share a few major keys in moving a piano on wood, wood laminate or tile floors.

·         Wear non-slick shoes. There’s nothing like feeling the piano is pushing you (experience is speaking).

·         Know where you wish to place it before you start to move it. If anyone then dares to suggest an alternate place, hang her from her tongue and hack her Facebook account telling the world she waxes her leg while watching Family Guy reruns and eating humus.

·         Have the proper moving tools. A four-wheeled dolly is good (if you have the muscle to lift the piano onto it and have it properly balanced). A great option, if you are not moving it across country and up twelve flights of stairs, is to turn a piece of carpet upside down and slide it under the wheels or legs of the piano (a heavy blanket also works). It will then easily glide across the floor by pushing … unless you are under 100 lbs. soaking wet and wearing your mother’s Army boots.

·         Enlist muscular descendants of the Roman gods.

·         Have a sidekick. Everyone needs somebody to state obvious, silly, or stupid remarks while attempting to move a mountain ... and carry the piano stool. Though, of course, my wife said none of these. :)

·         Make sure to leave 2-3 inches of space between the piano and a wall just in case you actually have someone tune this piano of ill repute.

Of course, the easiest way may be to set it on fire, roast marshmallows and buy a nice electronic keyboard.

To this, my back and I are unanimous.