“Keep The Rubber Side Down”

One of my favorite bloggers is putting it on the shelf for a while. Peach Pod will miss you!

I just received an e-mail from a “once upon a time”, closest friend. Let me explain: during the years I pastored, I had many opportunities to travel, Mike, was a traveling companion, fellow pastor, and the closest thing I ever had to a real friend. We attended hundreds of meetings together, served on untold committees with one another, our families vacationed together, we celebrated life’s victories and sorrows together. Then when I needed a friend the most, he turned away. That was six years ago, I have only spoken to him two times since. Today his e-mail shared that he was leaving this area and moving to New Jersey to assume a new position. He said he was glad our paths had crossed and asked for me to wish him well. I was unprepared for my response to this news; a wave of sadness filled my soul, a sense of loss engulfed me, In an instant, I relived the incredible sense of pain, and betrayal, I had endured six years prior. I thought I was getting over this trauma, but today I realize I am filled with untapped emotions lying barely under the surface. I am incredible sad things couldn’t have been different! But the reality is, they weren’t! And it is time to grieve for a moment, then embrace my “Now” life.
Oh, and Mike, I bid you blessings!

More and more couples are calling it quits, not after 5 years of marriage, or 15, but after 30. While overall, Canada’s divorce rate is dropping, the frequency of divorce among couples who are middle-aged or older is higher than it’s ever been.
Read article.

My entire ex-family came to watch Ethan’s football game last evening. For you that don’t know; I was married for 21 years, and six years ago we divorced. Last night my ex-wife, her husband, and his daughter, came. As well as the following…

My ex- mother and father in law.
My ex- brother in law and sister in law.
My ex sister in law and brother in law.
and all of there children.

They were there along with me and my wife, and Michelle’s mom and dad.
We all sat together and had a wonderful time. It was a sight to see! I am glad for everyone involved but especially Jonathan, and Ethan.

“A benchmark of emotional management and responsibility is the realization that our past can no longer be blamed for our actions in the present.”
Doc Childe and Howard Martin

“People spend too much time finding other people to blame, too much energy finding excuses for not being what they are capable of being, and not enough energy putting themselves on the line, growing out of the past, and getting on with their lives.”
J. Michael Straczynski

read a great post on victimization by Scott Williams.

1. Share what you have.
2. Each day touch at least one life in a special way.
3. Learn to fight the right battles.
4. Forgive, and ask for forgiveness.
5. Don’t try to please everyone, you can’t

Rick’s Dad
Originally uploaded by RICKSLARK@YAHOO.COM

MISS YOU DAD!

Listen to the evening news, or read the morning paper,and you realize our world is in upheaval. Although most of choose to overlook it, or at the very least trivialize it, we live in a world that is filled with violence, abuse, and chaos. Respect for others, and their property, has become almost non-existent, and doing the “right thing”, simply because it is the “right thing”, has almost disappeared. We are ready to beat the shit out of another driver simply because they are driving to slow! We have lost our way! I am sick of the disrespect, the violence, the abuse, the rage, doesn’t anyone care anymore?

1. Keep your word.
2. Show appreciation often and spontaneously.
3. Take time to enjoy life.
4. Apologize and mean it.
5. Practice humility.

1. What are you thinking about?
2. Do you love me?
3. Do I look fat in this?
4. Do you think she is prettier than me?
5. What would you do if I died?

What makes these questions so difficult is that each one is guaranteed to explode into a major argument if the man answers incorrectly (i.e. tells the truth). Therefore, as a public service, each question is analyzed below, along with possible responses.

Question #1: What are you thinking about? The proper answer to this, of course, is: “I’m sorry if I’ve been pensive, dear. I was just reflecting on what a warm, wonderful, thoughtful, caring, intelligent woman you are, and how lucky I am to have met you.”

This response obviously bears no resemblance to the true answer, which most likely is one of the following: a. “Football.” b. “Golf.” c. “How fat you are.” d. “How I would spend the insurance money if you died.”

Perhaps the best response to this question was offered by Al Bundy, who once told Peg, “If I wanted you to know what I was thinking, I would be talking to you!”

Question #2: Do you love me? The proper response is: “Yes!” or, if you feel a more detailed answer is in order, “Yes, dear.”

Inappropriate responses include: a. “Oh yeah, sh*tloads.” b. “Would it make you feel better if I said yes?” c. “That depends on what you mean by love.” d. “Does it matter?” e. “Who, me?”

Question #3: Do I look fat? The correct answer is an emphatic: “Of course not!”

Incorrect answers are: a. “Compared to what?” b. “I wouldn’t call you fat, but you’re not exactly thin.” c. “A little extra weight looks good on you.” d. “I’ve seen fatter.” e. “Sorry, what did you say? I was just thinking about how I would spend the insurance money if you died.”

Question #4: Do you think she’s prettier than me? Once again, the proper response is an emphatic: “Of course not!”

Incorrect responses include: a. “Yes, but you have a better personality.” b. “Not prettier, but definitely thinner.” c. “Not as pretty as you when you were her age.” d. “Define pretty.” e. “Sorry what did you say? I was just thinking about how I would spend the insurance money if you died.”

Question #5: What would you do if I died? A definite no-win question. (The real answer, of course, is “Buy a Ferrari and a boat.”)

No matter how you answer this, be prepared for at least an hour of follow-up questions, usually along these lines:

Woman: Would you get married again?
Man: Definitely not!
Woman: Why not — don’t you like being married?
Man: Of course I do.
Woman: Then why wouldn’t you remarry?
Man: Okay, I’d get married again.
Woman: You would? (With a hurtful look on her face)
Man: (audible groan)
Woman: Would you sleep with her in our bed?
Man: Where else would we sleep?
Woman: Would you put away my pictures, and replace them with pictures of her?
Man: That would seem like the proper thing to do.
Woman: And would you let her use my golf clubs?
Man: She can’t use them — she’s left-handed.
Woman: (silence)
Man: Sh*t.

from Askmen.com
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Listening to: “Word of God Speak”, Mercy Me

Over the past few days I have been given a special gift from many people I have encountered. A gift, I admire more than almost any other. The gift? Meaningful conversation.