Health and Welfare Update.

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Many of my friends and colleagues have asked how I’m doing after the surgery. The doctor gives the verdict later this week, but I’m considering it a big improvement.

I’m relatively pain free, and aside from some tightness in the leg it’s way better than before the surgery.

But I am so tired. General anesthetic takes it right out of you. I’m listless and lazy on a good day, but throw in some Michael Jackson party favors and it’s all over.

I plan to return to my job next week. I should be able to gimp on up the stairs no problem. Every day stronger. And I owe a lot of that to prayers from thousands of you every day.

My humble thanks for keeping me in your prayers.

As a bonus, a picture of my cane!

Jaguar Cane

Another one – wait, make that two- bite the dust.

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I have a blog for two reasons:

1. Everyone at my first writers’ convention said you need a blog to grow an audience.
2. I own the keys and can spout off here without making everyone on Facebook completely crazy.

That second one is the topic of my post today. I have two friends, both decent enough people, who are complete jerks on Facebook. I say that in the most kind, loving, non-judging, Christian manner that I can muster. Both.Are.Jerks. As a result I’m going to have to put them in a box and not allow any of their posts to filter into my timeline. It’s a shame, both are bright people and I will miss the occasional bon-mot they chuck out there as well as keeping up on their lives. But they’ve given me cause.

One of them is evidently obligated to spend 16 hours per day looking for articles on Slate to link to that prove all conservatives, Christians, and people with anything in common with me have sub-normal I.Q. levels, worship at the shrine of intolerance, and like to kick puppies.

The other has a couple of good causes but posts about them 4-10 times a day. Each post is slightly more whiny and insulting than the last – see above. I’ve found you almost never sway people to take up your cause by telling them that they are bigoted morons for not seeing it your way right out of the gate. And then repeating the message 7 times in a row with varying themes.

I want to read Facebook posts about their impending vacation, the book they just read, the birth of a child, a picture of the hubby finishing a 10k race, etc. I don’t want to be bashed in the mean-spirited manner that so many people use with almost every post. That’s what blogs are for – and you can do it for free on some blogs. Heck, even this here pre-eem-ium blog only costs a few bucks a month to host over at 1and1.com.

Sadly these two join three previous victims. They all fell off my radar when the ranting reached blog levels. Civility was lost.
I have enough stress in my life without having it delivered into my browser.

Are you posting trash like that on Facebook every day? Do you think you’re winning a moral victory by doing so? And if you are, will you consider stopping right this instant before you alienate more of your friends?

MMMMMMMMMMM, Pancakes.

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I have several Homer Simpson holes in my being. One of the most gaping wounds in my diet is my love for pancakes and waffles. Just ask my mom. Or, you could just survey my cube where a menu for Waffle House graces the book shelves. And a coffee cup from Waffle House is on my writing desk. And I have maple syrup as my blood type.

This picture is from our mission trip to Haiti with Healing Haiti. One of my greatest joys was stepping up to the grill and making pancakes for my fellow hands and feet of Christ. The saying is true – the first pancake, like the oldest child, is a throwaway. But then again, I’m the oldest child and I got to catch the pancakes so it all worked out. I must also admit that I greatly admire a great grill cook (Hi, Francis, Rick, Dave, Jen) and the ballet that happens in front of that heated slab of steel. So this time around I got to play the pancake flipper and enjoyed it more than I should have.

I hope you have a blessed day and may it be filled with pancakes and waffles.

Book Review – Swimming Through Clouds

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I’m going to cheat on this post. I’m going to just quote my review of Swimming Through Clouds as I posted it on Amazon.com. Click on the link, go buy the book, and enjoy an excellent read.

Swimming Through Clouds

Rajdeep Paulus is an enjoyable writer with a story to tell to all ages. Her mastery of image and point of view are breathtaking in a new author. Many authors who have written dozens of books would do well to look at this work for its ability to capture the imagination and heart of readers from 12 to 90. It is labeled as YA fiction, yet this 53 year old man enjoyed it immensely.

The character development is spellbinding. You get to know the people bit-by-bit as you would in life. Rajdeep must have paid close attention to her craft after her Junior Year in High School – she’s close to perfection.

My only regret about the book is that it ended too soon. She deprived me of a good night’s sleep by forcing me to read it in one afternoon and evening and at that cost I needed at least two more chapters. I wanted more. I need a sequel, or another set of stories that are as well written and in the same magnificent voice. That’s an author’s goal: leave the reader demanding more from them. She’s met the goal.

If every new author would take the time to craft their book as lovingly we’d all be better off as readers.

Hats off to Rajdeep Paulus for an incredible start to her literary career.

Sponsorship Sunday – Week Five – Dudely

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During my trip to Haiti in February of 2013 I had the pleasure of getting to know the people of Healing Haiti. Part of their mission there is an orphanage known as Grace Village. It is my pleasure to present one of the children from Grace Village each week to my readership in the hope that you will take them into your heart and sponsor their care and education.

This week’s child is:

Dudely


Dudely:

Dudely and his brothers, Shadley and Frolitho are grateful to be living together at Grace Village. Dudely likes to spend his time playing with the other children, especially when there is a basketball game involved. Dudely is a good student, excelling in science and biology. One of Dudely’s special gifts is singing so you will often hear him singing his favorite gospel song, Bless the Lord. Dudely would like to be a pastor or mechanic someday so his prayer request is that he is able to finish school.

Dudely came to Healing Haiti in July, 2008. Dudely and his siblings, Shadley and Frolitho were abandoned by their parents who are still living but are unable to care for them.

Birth Info
Birthdate: July 25, 1999
Place of Birth: Delmas, Haiti

It is my hope that one of you will find your heart touched by this child and take up a bit of Christ’s work by sponsoring them for an extended period. My wife and I are sponsoring a pair of sisters and I look at it this way – I only gave up a fast-food dinner each day to change the life of a child. Healing Haiti will do the right things for these children and I have full confidence in their work. I am not affiliated with them, they don’t endorse this blog, nothing like that at all. I just love kids (can’t be Santa and not love children) and know that Grace Village is the difference between life and death for many of these children. Please open your heart and prayerfully reflect on the opportunity God’s giving us to sponsor these children. Some of them have come out of slavery and have some of the toughest lives you could imagine prior to Grace Village.

Just click the link and it will take you directly to the page where you can sponsor this week’s child. And if God is particularly good and that child is sponsored when you get there, please grab another smiling face and change their life instead. My goal is to put Sponsorship Sunday out of business as quickly as possible and take that day off each week. Thank you. God bless you for your generosity.

Some of the finest people you’ll ever meet. The hands and feet of Christ.