tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25910580277121966232024-03-13T18:51:05.330-04:00Mr. Garner Goes To WashingtonThe adventures and thoughts of a Mississippi boy and his family living in the Washington - Baltimore regionUnexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-7931424552096975712022-11-11T12:40:00.003-05:002022-11-11T12:40:29.465-05:00My Introduction to the Silent Killer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9au_3OyaXnPe5RhTYva3IrA1r2Ij2pn8I-WcfStGhp0N6R9uUe6tvFB7nSsD2xWSa5X7k_L-yz06UXGVenlFtLgJ_5PMR0FfTMOgAzD123BpIUmYPNI1U5KHwb8wLJ6SJ0AJSNpWHtz0ykO6tkc0MhEcGh95_fflzvWV3ApSqfq3YRV2sD4Cm3B6o/s1077/silentkiller.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1077" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9au_3OyaXnPe5RhTYva3IrA1r2Ij2pn8I-WcfStGhp0N6R9uUe6tvFB7nSsD2xWSa5X7k_L-yz06UXGVenlFtLgJ_5PMR0FfTMOgAzD123BpIUmYPNI1U5KHwb8wLJ6SJ0AJSNpWHtz0ykO6tkc0MhEcGh95_fflzvWV3ApSqfq3YRV2sD4Cm3B6o/s320/silentkiller.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />On August 3, 2022, my workplace hosted a blood drive. Finally! A chance to give blood after not doing so since the start of the pandemic! Not that I was fearful but there weren't many opportunities to give and then I just wasn't that motivated to get out and get it done!<p></p><p>As I have the freedom to mostly work from home, a meeting was scheduled on the day of the blood drive which made for a nice reason to be on campus.</p><div dir="auto">However, the meeting needed to be rescheduled. This led to thoughts of, "Do I go in just to give blood? I could always find another time." I self-debated for a short while but ultimately chose to go in that day. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">After checking in and answering a bunch of questions, the tech took my blood pressure and paused. “Do you have high blood pressure?” The last time I had it checked was probably going in for a Covid test or something but a few years ago I was considered prehypertensive by my primary physician. “You’re 170 over…” I didn’t hear the second figure being so surprised at the first figure.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">He tested again. “200 over…” Still can’t recall the second number. “Do you feel ok? Are you dizzy? Have a headache?” I felt completely fine but by his expression he was wondering if I was about to pass out or have a stroke before his eyes.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">“I feel totally fine and wouldn’t know if you hadn’t shared!”</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">He couldn’t take my blood due to those numbers and suggested what I was already thinking, "You might wanna get that checked out."</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I stopped at Wegman’s on the way home to use their blood pressure cuff station. 234/121. Keep in mind, the average blood pressure should be 120/80. But also take note that these machines are not a reliable source of information. One has to have an arm that's not too large and not too small to obtain an accurate reading. But still...that's alarming.<br /><br />The next morning, I went to Patients First in Columbia. The nurse checking me in was surprised that the automatic unit they use didn't register my blood pressure. But she knew I was coming in for high blood pressure and tried again. 210/112. She and multiple other personnel began asking questions that I would hear repeatedly throughout the visit: "How do you feel? What's your name? What's your date of birth?" Basically, trying to determine if I was having or had had a stroke. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">My pressure was checked a third time a few minutes later. The doctor requested an EKG, chest x-rays and blood work. All were clear. The doc was perplexed. Why was a healthy - albeit overweight - middle-aged man having stroke level blood pressure with no obvious cause? He prescribed lisinopril at 10mg/day and requested I come in tomorrow morning. I left the office with a blood pressure of 170/102.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">The next morning, August 4, 2022, I returned to Patients First in Columbia. My BP was 174/102. A different doctor on duty seemed surprised that my numbers hadn't changed in a day and asked many of same questions the different doctor asked the previous day. "You don't feel dizzy? No headaches? You don't smoke? And you don't drink?" Her advice was for me to purchase a blood pressure cuff - not one for the wrist - and monitor my pressure daily. If I wasn't seeing much change over the next few days, increase my dose of lisinopril to 20mg per day.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I was now aware the silent killer had been stalking me. Perhaps for years. And it's possible that many who seem fine and healthy but have a stroke or heart attack may have had high blood pressure but didn't even know it. Or didn't think it was serious.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Several days later, my family flew to Kentucky to purchase my in-law's Honda CRV for my daughter. While there, I made some immediate changes to my daily routine including walking 30 minutes a day and changing my diet even further. Although I had already tried to remove processed foods from the diet, in Kentucky I leaned more into consuming more nuts, veggies, fruit, and fish.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I also opted to go low sodium. Getting raw or unsalted nuts are fairly easy to find. There aren't as many low sodium foods available, however, with research one can find options everywhere. For example, you might think the salads at Chick-fil-a are good for you. However, any salad with processed meats, cheeses, or other items can easily have a 1000 mgs of sodium. Your daily intake should be no more than 2300mg or a teaspoon of salt a day. Meanwhile, the Greek yogurt parfait at CFA is perfect at only 80mg of sodium. The grilled chicken filet is better than the grilled chicken nuggets and the kale crunch salad and fries with salt removed are good choices.<br /><br />What I came to realize is that even if I was trying to cut down on processed foods, the choices I was making still had a great deal of sodium which can impact one's body in a variety of ways. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Throughout the week in Kentucky, my BP decreased along with my weight. Upon returning to Maryland, my BP was down to around 120/80 and I had lost 10 pounds. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I also concluded that I needed a sleep study. Since the pandemic, my snoring had increased and Kim even claimed that she thought I stopped breathing occasionally. I had also gained back all the weight I loss with Omnitrition. My guess was that I had Sleep Apnea if not Obstructive Sleep Apnea.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Visiting a new primary care physician, he ordered an EKG and full blood work during my physical. Again, beyond my weight, no clear issues. He supported a sleep study and provided a recommendation.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Weeks later, the sleep study was my worst night of sleep. I felt like I was awake most of the night when normally I have no trouble going to sleep. While I find it interesting that recommendations are made on one's worst night of sleep, my results showed that I did have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. My blood-oxygen levels were terrible and I had several moments of partially and completely not breathing. The record was 49 seconds.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">OSA can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic disease, excessive daytime sleepiness, workplace errors, traffic accidents and death.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">My deduction is that this caused my high blood pressure and it's possible that I've been dealing with OSA and HBP for 2 years but maybe more.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I returned weeks later for another sleep study but this time to test the pressure I needed for a CPAP device. This night wasn't as bad as the first study but I didn't sleep soundly by any means. It was clear the CPAP helped and showed my snoring was eliminated. But I'm not surprised that I didn't snore. The device covered my nose but not my mouth. Anytime, I opened my mouth it was the strangest sensation. I suppose the easiest way to describe would be if I opened my mouth but was still breathing through my nose, nothing seemed odd. But the moment I tried to breathe out my mouth, basically the pressure being sent down my nostrils came out my mouth and it was just odd. Anyone who uses a CPAP likely knows of what I'm describing. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Now, I'm waiting for approval paperwork from my primary physician so that a CPAP can be ordered. It's possible that with weight loss, I won't even need one. But for now, if by using this, I can improve quality life and no longer need lisinopril, that's a win.</div>Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-8350790688952733512021-09-11T10:06:00.004-04:002021-09-11T10:08:16.721-04:00May We Never Forget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RlfqFfQghkU/YTy27vlF0gI/AAAAAAAAdOc/6r8chFzaN7Ya1eDn9GHEukuiWpKbBMvJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s980/AAJBDWPQZ5C77CSDUGOIKXOOBU.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="980" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RlfqFfQghkU/YTy27vlF0gI/AAAAAAAAdOc/6r8chFzaN7Ya1eDn9GHEukuiWpKbBMvJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/AAJBDWPQZ5C77CSDUGOIKXOOBU.webp" width="400" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">On this 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, I'm posting below a story I wrote on the 10th anniversary. These are my reflections on that day. <br /></span><span style="text-align: left;"><br />Looking at the first paragraph, it's interesting how times change. No one has asked me questions of where I was or what I was doing. I'm not sure if many of us have forgotten but more likely we're so very distracted. <br /><br />We've navigated almost two years of a pandemic that's taken and changed so many lives. We've navigated political and cultural changes poorly and emotionally to the point of creating more divisions. </span><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">We are not the country we were the weeks and months after 9/11. The bipartisan efforts then were refreshing. The amount of American flags flying proudly and in solidarity was inspiring. Today, it seems many despise their own country and its flag. But even this is not new. While she has stumbled over the years and will continue to do so - America will always be the most amazing country in the world. It will remain the land of the free and the home of the brave. <br /><br />For if a day comes that it is not, we truly have forgotten who and what we are.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">------------------------<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">Originally published September 11, 2011 <a href="https://www.richardtgarner.com/2011/09/were-being-attacked.html">https://www.richardtgarner.com/2011/09/were-being-attacked.html</a><br /><br />The question has been asked countless times this week: Where were you? What were you doing? Each year, I reflect on my answer. This year, I'll share it here.<br /></span>
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That Tuesday morning commute into WJTV in Jackson, Mississippi, was a pleasant drive. The weather was also pleasant. Clear skies and 71 degrees. The radio mentioned something about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. My mind pictured a small aircraft such as a Cessna. With my being responsible for the content on WJTV.com, I wanted to get to my workstation and get it powered quickly. This likely would be a significant news event.<br />
<a name='more'></a>I had to pass the newsroom before heading to my office. Video monitors showed smoke billowing from one of the two towers. I rushed down the hallway, unlocked my door, and began powering up my workstation, monitors, and video decks.<br />
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After launching a breaking news update on WJTV.com, another reported plane crash on the other tower. These were no accidents.<br />
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I walked into the newsroom just as reports were coming in about smoke rising from the Pentagon. Video monitors showed the evidence.<br />
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"We're being attacked," said Darren Dedo, the morning anchor. He was sitting at his workstation, gathering information before going back on-air. A sickening feeling covered me. I agreed with my friend and returned to my workstation. I remained there for rest of the day.<br />
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Maybe I went next door to the kitchen for coffee or water. I'm sure there was a potty break or two. Between encoding video, listening to reports, scanning for as much data as possible...the day was a blur. Breaking news seemed a trite term. Every update was breaking. Every moment was waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop.<br />
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It's fascinating to me how much technology has changed the news industry since September 11, 2001. There was no YouTube, no Facebook, no Twitter. TV stations barely had a grasp of the power of the web. WJTV owners, Media General, had created an Interactive Media Division. Each station had one IMD employee to help evangelize the power of the web to newsrooms and TV stations built on the power of TV. The web was still new media and posting stories and video was an afterthought at best.<br />
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All IMD staffers encoded in RealVideo. It was king at the time. Videos were made to play on 14.4k and 56k modems. Dial-up, baby. Oh yeah. After all, high-speed internet access was the future and not our market audience. Upon encoding and trimming the video clips to the desired content, the files were FTP'd to our RealVideo streaming servers. Then I embedded links into stories.<br />
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This was a visual story. Images could tell some of the story. Video would capture the raw emotion, the tragedy, the unrelenting horror of that day. So, I captured all I could. Posted all I could. All the while trying to not be too emotionally distracted.<br />
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I prayed a lot that afternoon. Sought His wisdom and guidance. Rested on the fact that He was and still is in control. That all things happen for a purpose far greater than we can comprehend.<br />
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What I experienced that day was only slightly different than others. While many people could barely take their eyes from national broadcast news television coverage, I was doing the same but also repackaged those images, video, and words for others to absorb.<br />
<br />
Yet, that experience compares nothing to what my friend and former colleague Mike Walter went through as a journalist. I would come to know Mike years later when I came to work at WUSA in Washington, DC. Getting to know Mike, I would hear of how he and other journalist saw the airliner impact the Pentagon. In the documentary "<a href="http://www.breakingnewsbreakingdown.com/">Breaking News, Breaking Down</a>" Mike peels back the veil of the secret and painful suffering for those who report on the slices of hell we see from the comforts of our home.<br />
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We can forget a great deal, debate pointless topics, and try to place blame on multiple levels. But we must never forget that 3000 lives were lost that day. Each of those lives touched countless others. And even in death, some of those lives continue to teach...to love...to remind us of how valuable and special human life truly is.<br />
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To the heroes of 9/11... <br />
</div>Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-44472622801103905782020-11-26T12:30:00.040-05:002020-11-28T09:31:25.293-05:00Grateful During Unemployment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pbkry5Vdfw/X7_pBfrI2fI/AAAAAAAAY84/uqjp7a9Y4bImjh1x0kBU84YrzoV0P91_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/grateful.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1044" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pbkry5Vdfw/X7_pBfrI2fI/AAAAAAAAY84/uqjp7a9Y4bImjh1x0kBU84YrzoV0P91_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/grateful.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Two years have passed since I last scribed in this blog. Much life has transpired during that time. Too much to really unpack here. Then, I was a few months into a new public sector role with the City of Baltimore and starting to pursue the dream of rebooting the paranormal broadcast TV news series I co-created with Darren Dedo called "Unexplained" as a YouTube docu-series "Unexplained Cases." <div><div><br /></div><div>Today, I am unemployed and "Unexplained Cases" has grown but has yet to generate revenue. <br /><br />In July, I was dismissed from both my part-time weekend job at Grace Community Church and my City of Baltimore job. I've never had the pleasure of being released from two jobs in a month. Technically, I was released in June from Grace and my separation date was July 3. My last day of work at Baltimore was July 23 and my separation date was September 23.<br /><br />Unless one has been through an extended period of unemployment, one cannot understand the emotions that are stirred. For a man, work and bringing in income is part of our DNA. While a job shouldn't define a man, helping provide for and support the family is important. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I was separated from Grace, that was like being kicked out of a family. While the pandemic changed the way ministry was done at Grace and many churches across the country, that did not take away the personal loss.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although my City job was less like a family, I had friendships and the dismissal was no less painful. It was a surprise. I started the morning as others - working from home - and ended the day hours early...still at home but without a vocational responsibility. </div><div><br /></div><div>In both cases - regardless of reasons or decisions - the feelings of doubting my value and worth, wondering why others were not impacted, and the sudden need to rebuild weighed heavy. As days became weeks and weeks became months, the submitted applications stacked up and began to equal the rejections and silences.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I am grateful for people who wanted to see my resume, who wanted to pass my resume onto others, who have sent me job opportunities, who have prayed and continue to pray for me, who have helped us financially, and who reach out to have coffee or some grub.</div><div><br /></div><div>Often, it's easier for one who has been through an extended unemployment to relate to another. Some may think there's something wrong with my resume, my interviewing style, or that I am applying to the wrong careers. Fact is, there's always a reason for these times just as there's a reason for their length.</div><div><br /></div><div>My last season lasted 9 months and during it I learned about abiding in the Lord. I was not savoring that time. Is He having me repeat this time to savor it? So that I can learn more about abiding? I do not know. I just know that the Lord knows my heart's desires and pains. And while I do not expect Jesus to just drop a job in my lap, it's not something that I can find under my own power. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also know that some folks are unclear what role I am seeking. With a background of broadcast radio and television production as well as media program and project management - my focus is on a role in a media or content organization. Communication, media, or even public affairs are categories. Job titles could be: Social Media & Digital Specialist, Web and Multimedia Services Manager, Social Media & Website Manager, Digital Content Manager, Communications Manager, Branded Content Program Manager, Social Media Manager, Communications Manager, or Web Content Manager.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>As always, I'm grateful for your prayers and support. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. </div>Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-38899933427644198272018-11-06T13:49:00.002-05:002018-11-06T13:56:35.215-05:00Risks Of Being Vulnerable<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhoEFpjWd6o/W-HfRm1JtNI/AAAAAAAAN1Y/uQz5ozCWmUcvMic26suWoWRVig3Xs1EJACEwYBhgL/s1600/vulnerable-perceptions.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="840" height="252" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhoEFpjWd6o/W-HfRm1JtNI/AAAAAAAAN1Y/uQz5ozCWmUcvMic26suWoWRVig3Xs1EJACEwYBhgL/s400/vulnerable-perceptions.png" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being vulnerable can be so rewarding. It can also be horrifically disappointing. Stereotypically for guys, being vulnerable with thoughts and feelings is simply against a man's nature. It doesn't come naturally. Emotions are saved for when men are alone or to share only with spouses or best friends. I think of the Tom Hanks line from <i>A League of Their Own</i>: "There's no crying in baseball!" Anger seems to be permitted but not fear, worry, or tears. More often I've seen people apologize for getting upset or tearing up than for showing an angry or passionate reaction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The more reflective emotions seem to be reserved for women. It seems stereotypically more natural for women to be shedding tears or showing concern. Yet, too much or too frequent emotional displays can also bring scoffing or ridicule.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's like there's no winning when it comes to being vulnerable. This is why being vulnerable is hard and requires intentionality. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The reality is that being vulnerable and sharing what you're feeling comes with risk. These risks are both imagined and real. Often, I hesitate to be vulnerable because of what I perceive <i>could</i> happen. In some cases, what I imagine does become reality. However, more often, it's just in my head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are risks of being vulnerable:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Apathy -</b> You share and no one seems to care. Sometimes this perceived apathy is based on expectations. For example, the person or people don't respond in the way you expected. They don't ask questions or the questions they do ask are shallow or not probing. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They don't meet your expectations. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The reality is caring requires an investment. At a bare minimum, to care requires time to listen and process what's been shared. Beyond that, more time and thought may be required. Depending on what someone has going on in their life, they may be unwilling or unable to process your vulnerability. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Silence - </b>You share and no one responds. Your text, email, or social media post is met with silence. The reality is people are distracted and sometimes they just don't know how to respond. Maybe they need to process what you've shared. Maybe it really surprised them. Your being vulnerable should be about your sharing - period. It should not be about getting a response from a certain person or persons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Changed View -</b> You share and people see you in a different, negative way. For example, if you know or believe others view you as a leader and you're vulnerable about something...you perceive that vulnerability will cause them to view you as weaker or less qualified for a role. The reality is how others view you will and should change. You've exposed a sensitive, raw area of your life. Some will cherish, some will be uncomfortable, and some may turn away from you. You cannot control their response - that's on them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Unsolicited Advice -</b> You share and it leads to a lecture on what you should do. I avoid sharing with certain people because to me they're more interested in fixing what I'm going through than listening to me. They're more interested in sharing how I should fix it (which is how they would fix it) but don't have the situational experience to offer the advice. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The reality is that unless you've been through a specific event - the loss of a loved one, extended unemployment, being in the wrong line of work, getting a divorce, sudden illness - there’s really not a lot of advice you can offer. You should listen. Just listen. Then listen some more. And maybe offer a little feedback. I believe that when someone is going through a loss or grief and trying to process something, they really just want to know that they are not alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Job Loss - </b>You share and it leads to your being fired. This is a very specific but not unrealistic fear. In today's "small world," what you share with someone verbally could get back to your employer just as easily as what you text, email, or post on social media. Wisdom and discernment are critical here. If you need to be vulnerable about your job, coworkers, or management - and you cannot do that at work - the audience for that has to be trusted. Just "grin and bear it" at work is appropriate if the issue is temporary. But often foundational issues need to be examined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Wrong or Not Enough Prayers -</b> You share and someone expresses that you need to pray more. Or that you haven't been praying correctly. I think of John 9: 1-2 <i>"Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, and His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "<span style="color: red;">Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him</span>." </i>Praying for someone's wisdom, discernment, and comfort while they are struggling is appropriate. But because they are struggling doesn't mean they aren't praying, they aren't praying enough, or that they are praying about the wrong things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vulnerability cannot be forced. When you are ready - share. When someone else is ready, they'll share with you. Often, vulnerability attracts vulnerability. If you're willing to share, others will.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What I've learned is that through my being vulnerable, many others have been encouraged, worthy, and included. I will take the risks every day if one person can benefit.</span><br />
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-86702043036267453502018-07-13T06:58:00.000-04:002018-07-13T06:58:31.248-04:00Goodbye, Allie<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9swYLwY104/W0iFgwT6KJI/AAAAAAAAM4o/sfpK3Z9nlKU00f795V5WGQnMb9p11h3ywCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_9760.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9swYLwY104/W0iFgwT6KJI/AAAAAAAAM4o/sfpK3Z9nlKU00f795V5WGQnMb9p11h3ywCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_9760.HEIC" width="320" /></a>We called her many names over the years. Allie-rat. Monkeyface. Georgia called her "Baby Kitty" which was funny calling an 18-year-old cat a baby. With her passing, the last piece of living Mississippi in our house was lost.<br />
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Allie moved with us to Maryland from Mississippi. She and Bones flew with me on two separate return trips to Baltimore from Jackson. Maddy the Beagle rode with us in the Honda Accord. Now, all three of those furbabies have passed away.</div>
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Allie was a unique kitten and the last of a litter from a momma kitty adopted by a country radio station, Miss 103, in Jackson, Mississippi. A mutual friend and DJ reached out to Kim and me, knowing we were animal lovers and hoping we could help her get the last kitten adopted. The momma wouldn't let the kitten nurse because she chewed on her nipples too hard. One family returned the kitten because the children thought she was too ugly. </div>
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Of course, we took her in. Reminding us of an alley rat - that became her name. Good ole rat-tail Allie. I could put her on my shoulder and she'd stay there as I walked around. She was uniquely comfortable with that position. </div>
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When she was young, I remember Kim calling me at work. She was in a panic. Allie's whole body seemed to be burning up and she wasn't responsive. The vet recommended giving here half a children's Tylenol. Although the fever went down, we joked for years that the episode "cooked her brains" because sometimes she'd seem lost in thought and her eyes almost seemed to roll around in her head.</div>
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Allie joined us when we had PJ the tabby. After he passed, she was soon joined by Bones and would show him the ropes in Mississippi and in Maryland. They were good pals. Her last recruit, Percy, she only knew a few months. They at least grew to tolerate each other enough to sit in the same chair.</div>
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Monkeyface had the loudest meow. If things were not to her liking - food or water wasn't waiting or the litter box wasn't just so - she would let you know about it. And if the litter box went another day, not to her satisfaction, she usually left a happy, shiny turd in the hallway. </div>
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I joked that her spite kept her alive all these years. Next month, she would've turned 19. </div>
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Allie, you were a good baby kitty.</div>
Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-24268899818262183442018-06-24T09:20:00.000-04:002018-06-24T16:39:01.462-04:00See You Around, Mike<div dir="auto">
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I miss my friend. But what's sad is that I didn't miss Mike until he was gone. <br />
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At least in the middle of the odd month, but definitely by the last week of it, Mike would always reach out to me with a request. It was usually to load a certain worship music video or some game show music. Sometimes, he needed some specific slides created or sound effects. Mike put a lot of thought into preparing the lessons.<br />
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For certain lessons, Mike asked the kids to write something that was bothering them or something that was a sin. Then he had them take hammer and nail to that card and attach it to an old rugged cross. Mike often brought in props to physically connect the Bible stories to the kids. For example, when he dressed as an innkeeper and walked in a wheelbarrow full of fresh cow manure. He was adding the smell of a barn to the lesson just to help set the stage. But not for show or for people to notice him. Mike’s passion was for kids to connect with Jesus. And he was willing to do whatever it took for that to happen.<br />
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I likely met Michael Carnock 7 years ago when my family came to Grace Community Church in Fulton. I began serving as an AV Tech in the children's ministry so our paths would've easily crossed. However, I don't have any memories of Mike until I became part-time staff and began working every weekend. Mike would serve even months and teach 4th and 5th-grade large groups on Sundays.<br />
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He always hid in some nook or cranny to pray and prepare. Mike was intentional about the Word and the teaching of it.<br />
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During my layoff, we met for breakfast one morning. It was the only time we ever met outside of the church. He was as transparent and supportive as always and shared about a time he was in a proverbial desert. Like me, he was ready to move on, ready to get to what was next. Everything changed when he switched from “Lord, when are you going to get me out of here?!” to “Lord, what do you want me to learn while I am here?” Until then, I knew the Lord was with me and He was going to provide something else. But I was more ready for the next thing than trying to hear what He wanted to tell me. The Holy Spirit basically told me that I needed to abide.<br />
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Abiding in Christ is believing, trusting, savoring, resting, and receiving. I was believing and trusting. I was not savoring, resting, and receiving. This gift of perspective came before Thanksgiving and Christmas. <br />
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When I thanked Mike for this, he credited God and was his humble self. I recall a couple Sunday mornings where he pulled me aside and prayed over me. A swimmer, he enjoyed hearing what Georgia was up to with her swim practices and meets. And few Sundays couldn’t escape without an air guitar riff or two.<br />
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I was thrilled to tell him when the Lord had provided a new job and looked forward to when we could have breakfast or catch up. That opportunity never came.<br />
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The Lord called Mike home and I'm thrilled about that. But his passing reminds me of the fragility and finiteness of our lives.<br />
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Be intentional.<br />
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And this one's for you, Mike:</div>
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-41295652801105606352018-04-13T12:01:00.000-04:002018-04-13T12:01:23.403-04:00Finally Leaving the Layoff Swamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A month ago, on March 12, my 9-month layoff ended as I began working for the City of Baltimore as an IT Project Manager. I described many times the experience of being laid off like being in swamp. Not just “in” a swamp but trapped or lost in a swamp: uncertain of its depth and dangers, being anxious to escape, admiring the surroundings, feeling at times miserable, and doubting your skills.<br />
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I learned many things from this experience about myself and those around me. Hopefully, I'll compile these thoughts into a book soon. For now, here's a short list. One tip for each month of my layoff:<br />
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<a name='more'></a>1) <b>You are not alone</b> - It's so easy to think that you are alone and no one around you understands. Many people have experienced a layoff and some are going through one right now. But often, it’s easy to feel uncomfortable about your layoff and not want to discuss it. Please talk about it!<br />
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2) <b>Share your story</b> - Ask for prayer and share your thoughts. The worst decision to make is to deal with this on your own.<br />
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3) <b>Some won't understand</b> - As you begin sharing, some people just won't understand. Unless one has been through an extended layoff, they just aren't going to comprehend the emotions and thoughts you're wresting. Some people won't know what to say, so they may say nothing. Don't be frustrated or disappointed in them.<br />
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4) <b>Some will try and fix it</b> - Being transparent grants some permission to fix the situation. Many will try and polish your resume and offer tips on how to interview, your grooming, clothes, and more. Be gracious and listen. But if you can be honest enough with them and yourself - no amount of polishing and prepping will land you a job that the Lord doesn't want you in. And that's a tough pill to swallow for many. The world says, "You want it, go get it!" "You can do anything you put your mind to!" Even Scripture says that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Yes, you and I can. However, if you are seeking His perfect will and guidance...certain situations will never come to be.<br />
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5) <b>Accept help</b> - If someone wants to bless you with money, a free meal, or whatever - cheerfully receive it! Not accepting their gift is robbing them of a chance to bless you.<br />
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6) <b>Don't believe the lies</b> - I submitted hundreds of resumes/applications, talked to dozens, of recruiters, and went on several in-person interviews. Yet, the rejections kept coming in saying that "while I seemed good enough, I wasn't good enough for them." And the whispers in my mind would also speak of my being "old, washed up, and no longer needed." It's impossible to stop the negative whispers but you don't have to dwell on them. Keeping yourself in the Word and surrounded by positive or Christ-following people is key.<br />
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7) <b>Pace yourself</b> - Don't spend all day searching for a job. With the amount of tools out there and depending on your vocation, an entire day could easily be devoted to the search. Set aside a couple of hours, maybe three, for job hunting. Leave the rest to enjoy the time. Catch up with family and friends, go see movies, or take some short trips.<br />
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8) <b>It's ok to be in the swamp</b> - I often thought that I put myself in this situation because of a number of reasons. I knew that the Lord had brought me into this swamp and I knew that He would lead me out. But I didn't want to be there. I wanted to move on to the next thing. Looking to the next thing didn’t allow me to marinate and abide on the present.<br />
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9) <b>Abide</b> - If there was any one word that describes what I learned and what I challenge anyone in an extended layout to experience, it's to abide. Not just to trust Him but to savor the experience. To fully appreciate what is around you. To listen for the nudgings of the Holy Spirit and act upon them. Don’t let this opportunity pass and you regret not taking the time to relax and reflect.<br />
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There is joy in the journey...</div>
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-69806214217428680362018-01-01T23:58:00.003-05:002018-01-02T06:52:36.708-05:00What A Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With a new year, looking forward and backward is important. Looking ahead is important to set goals and milestones of what to accomplish in the coming year. Reflecting on the past year is important to consider areas of growth and areas needing improvement.<br />
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Looking back on 2017, it's hard to ignore that I've been in the swamp of a layoff for half of it. December marked 6 months since the last day of work at AOL and 4 months since separation from the company.<br />
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So, what are some lessons I've learned from this journey?<br />
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<b><u>I Am Not Broken</u></b><br />
Only someone who's been through an extended layoff can truly appreciate the despair of feeling cast aside, unwanted, and not needed. Initially, the layoff produced these feelings ever so slightly, but the overwhelming majority of these feelings originated from facing rejection after rejection. Weeks and months of the same bred doubt and discouragement. Insult is added to injury when family, friends, and strangers wanting to help unintentionally convey that something must be broken with my approach. My resume must be poorly written, my clothes must not be sharp enough, or my answers during interviews must not be sharp enough. Essentially, they are saying, "You're such a great, talented guy! There must be something you're doing wrong to not have a job yet!" </div>
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However, I am not broken. I am more than my resume. I could have the most polished resume or change it every day, have the freshest threads, and practice answering interview questions everyday...but if a job isn't where the Lord wants me, I'm not going to get it! That's not an excuse to be lazy or not put forth my best, but it reminds me that I am not in control. <br />
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<b><u>People Will Disappoint</u></b><br />
Family, friends, acquaintances, and others have blessed my family through financial, emotional, and other support. But there are people in those categories from which I've never even received a text of encouragement. Months passed before some chimed in. Others have yet to say anything to me.</div>
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While it's easy to have expectations of how people should behave, the reality is I don't know what to say or do in all situations. So, how can I honestly expect such of others?!</div>
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Responding to someone going through a difficult situation isn't easy or graceful. Sometimes, it's easier to not say anything which can be hurtful. For example, asking me if I've found a job, how the search is going, or if I have any leads are all like daggers. But asking me how I'm feeling, coping, or doing gives me so much more room to navigate in my response.</div>
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<b><u>Family Is Also In The Swamp</u></b><br />
Focusing on my journey is easy, however, it's not just my journey. I have a wife and daughter in this swamp with me. I don't think I truly considered how this layoff was impacting my 13-year-old daughter until during a recent family meeting I asked her if she felt worried or concerned. She revealed that she was worried I wouldn't find another job because "every job I applied for said no."</div>
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That was an important conversation and one for which I am glad we discussed.</div>
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Personally, I wish more people reached out to Kim and G over the last 6 months. While some have, that number has been ridiculously low compared to the men who have poured into me during this time.</div>
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It's important for my family to talk and check in on each other. It's also important to not burden G will all the details of this journey. She doesn't need to know everything. No child does. She needs to enjoy being 13, but she also needs to process this journey and talk about her feelings.</div>
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Kim is supporting me through this while she is processing it. Frankly, I think she's done more of supporting me than I supporting her during this time. I am grateful for this but I need to share more of that load.<br />
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<b><u>No One Can Fix This</u></b><br />
This layoff isn't something to be fixed. No amount of hours submitting applications, pouring over job alerts, and conducting searches will reveal the next job. And nothing anyone else can say or do will repair the situation.</div>
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I would not have been fired or quit AOL. So, the Lord had to lay me off to move me from the position. There's a reason why it happened when it did and has lasted this long. And the effects go beyond me. While I'm being prepared for what's next, so is my next employer. Through this situation, so many people have blessed us financially. While we have obviously been blessed, they had an opportunity to be blessed through giving.</div>
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So, there's more going on with this than what's on the surface, and it's never a quick fix.<br />
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<b><u>Receive Advice, Use Only Some</u></b></div>
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Lots of people have shared advice. They've tweaked my resume, emailed articles, suggested books, and offered countless ways to improve my job search. I've received it all but only acted on some of it. Frankly, there were times I was simply overwhelmed with questions, advice, and the job search. One more thing seemed like heaping more onto the pile I was already trying to process.</div>
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Receiving this information is important but I found that some of it simply didn't apply to me. <br />
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<b><u>Celebrate Normal</u></b></div>
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One piece of advice I received was to celebrate holidays as normal. Have the same foods and do the usual routine. Receiving some gift cards helped this to easily be possible but we were already committed to this. </div>
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Layoffs over Thanksgiving and Christmas are the worst emotional and financially. But many families stepped up and shared their blessings with my family. For this, I am very grateful.<br />
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<b><u>Get On Unemployment Fast</u></b><br />
I suspect that every state is different in their procedures, however, getting unemployment benefits isn't a quick process. I didn't want to go through the process as it was one more time-consuming thing to do. More information to fill out, more steps to take, and overall more confirmation that getting out of the swamp was going to take longer. However, I was told more than once about unemployment benefits, "that's what it's there for." So, there's no shame in receiving it.<br />
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<b><u>Share Feelings, Meet People</u></b><br />
I've felt like a wounded animal at times and wanted to hide and not talk. And that's okay at times. However, I've been intentional about setting up coffee and breakfast with friends and mentors to allow me time to process this experience and allow them time to offer their experience, advice, and thoughts. It's important and a blessing.<br />
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<b><u>Boundaries</u></b><br />
It's been healthy to remove myself from activities. While I wanted to "stay busy" during this time, I didn't want that to be the norm. So, I stepped back from some activities and routines. They were good and things I enjoyed but I also knew that I would spread myself too thin. These functions would be one more thing - one more commitment - during a time that I needed to rest and reflect.</div>
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I was concerned that some wouldn't understand and think I was retreating into hiding. Some may think that, but those that took the time to hear me out and have been where I am know exactly what's going on. They know the wisdom in creating some space to process this.<br />
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<b><u>Grieve</u></b></div>
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A layoff is a loss. It's the end of a relationship. While I've remained in touch with some coworkers, the routines of daily communications, projects, and other job functions are gone. Just like any other grief, there's sadness, denial, anger, and depression. At times, I've felt silly. It's just a job. No job should define me! But this is so many other layers, and it's important to recognize it's grief and allowing time to process it.</div>
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So, I've learned a lot from the second half of 2017. But I haven't shared the most important thing I learned. </div>
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<b><u>Abide In The Swamp</u></b></div>
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I spent so much time being ready for the next thing...ready to get out of swamp...that I never focused on being content at being in the swamp. I knew that the Lord had brought me there, that He would provide for me while there, and that He would get me out of there. However, looking back, only the last month have I really focused on being content, trusting, savoring, resting, and receiving.</div>
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I feel more at peace now on this first day of 2018 than I have the last 6 months. Do I expect the emotions not to wash onto my shore? Heck no, they'll come. But my perspective has shifted. That alone will make for a great new year. </div>
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Here's to an amazing 2018!</div>
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-87713336030752097702017-11-25T07:43:00.001-05:002017-11-25T07:43:47.851-05:00Being Thankful In A Swamp<div dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px;">
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There’s a time in the swamp of a job layoff that you know it’s going to be worse and perhaps longer. This is when the holidays come.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I have always thought that a layoff in November and December was the worst because there was little hope of finding a new job at year’s end. This is why I was hopeful for my layoff in June. I never expected to still be looking.</div>
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Yet, here I am. Still in the swamp. Knowing that I am a good senior project manager, knowing that I have other amazing skills, knowing that I will work hard and help any team meet their goals and more...and none of it seeming to matter. There’s always something I’m lacking. Always a reason for no further conversation. My self-worth crumbles along with my confidence.</div>
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If you haven’t been through an extended layoff, you cannot comprehend this swamp. You can be sympathetic and supportive - which is SO appreciated - but you cannot comprehend. And I hope you do not have to. This is not a swamp for everyone.</div>
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I am thankful for my family and friends. I am blessed beyond measure. I am grateful for all the Lord has placed around me. He will continue to sustain me and my family through this swamp. But I am ready to leave it. I am weary of this emotional coaster.</div>
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Please, God, I want to leave this swamp.<br />
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-24361026085126052542017-09-27T11:33:00.003-04:002017-09-27T11:33:50.380-04:00Words From Swamps Do Not Define You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. It's an empowering phrase for children standing up to teasing and bullying. However, words <b><u>can</u></b> and <b><u>do</u></b> hurt. Said enough times, one can believe anything as truth. What words are you allowing to be spoken into you on a daily basis?<br />
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<a name='more'></a>In the film "The Help," the character Aibileen Clark speaks a phrase to the young character Mae Mobley. "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." Grammar isn't the focus here. Aibileen is being intentional and pouring affirming words into a hurting child. She reminds her of this several times. Mae also repeats these words. To take the moment a step further - while building up the young girl, Aibileen's words could just as easily help encourage herself. Hearing something isn't enough. You need to say it aloud and believe the words as truth.<div>
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Since beginning my job search two months ago - the layoff was three months ago but feels longer - I have received many phrases in emails that I could allow to define me. A few times, I did just that. I sank into the phrases and felt worthless, useless, unmarketable. </div>
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However, if I give these words power to define me and control my mood...that's on me. I choose how to perceive these words. I can allow them to encourage, inspire, or motivate me. I can allow them to defeat, destroy, or depress me.</div>
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When you face these swamps in life, you have the same choice. What will you do?</div>
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I'm listing these phrases below. These aren't all that have come into my inbox. While some may read similar, they are all from different companies. I will receive more. Yet, I list these to boldly say that these words <b><u>do not</u></b> define me! A job <b><u>does not</u></b> define me! I am so much more, and for me it begins with being a child of the King. Everything pales into importance and significance.</div>
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<li>After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that your experience does not match our current needs.<br /></li>
<li>No longer under consideration.<br /></li>
<li>While your skills and background are impressive, we have decided to move forward with a different candidate.<br /></li>
<li>Unfortunately, at this time, you have not been selected to move forward with the next phase of the process.<br /></li>
<li>While your experience is impressive, we’re sorry to say that we've made the decision to proceed with other candidates whose experience is more closely aligned with our needs at this time.<br /></li>
<li>Unfortunately, you are not the right fit for the position at this time.<br /></li>
<li>Although we were impressed with your background and experience, we have decided to pursue other applicants who more closely reflect the needs of this position.<br /></li>
<li>While we are impressed with your qualifications, we are moving forward with other candidates for this role.<br /></li>
<li>Unfortunately, we have decided to move forward with other qualified candidates.<br /></li>
<li>At this time we have decided to pursue other candidates whose background and skills more closely match our requirements for this position.<br /></li>
<li>After careful review, we have decided to move forward with another candidate.<br /></li>
<li>While your skills are certainly impressive, we have decided to pursue other candidates for this position.<br /></li>
<li>Unfortunately, they have decided to not move forward with an interview at this time<br /></li>
<li>Although you have many skills and talents that we appreciate, we have hired a candidate who we believe to fit our specific needs a little more closely.<br /></li>
<li>We genuinely appreciate the time and effort that you put into pursuing this position within our organization and would like to wish you success in your search for a suitable career position.<br /></li>
<li>While your background and experience are impressive, we have decided to pursue other candidates whose qualifications and credentials are a closer fit for our current needs. Consequently, we will not be scheduling an interview for you at this time.<br /></li>
<li>While your skills are certainly impressive, we have decided to pursue other candidates for this position.<br /></li>
<li>We will not be proceeding with you as a candidate for this position.</li>
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-34040144370020975902017-09-12T19:12:00.003-04:002017-10-11T17:28:45.744-04:00Being Intentional About Weight Loss<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
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At the time of this post, I've lost 61 pounds, and I've accomplished this with no workout routine. I feel amazing! Want to know how I did it? Read on.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>If you've followed my blog at all, you've likely read my posts about my exercise journey. It started with <a href="http://www.richardtgarner.com/2011/08/get-out-of-gyms-get-into-neighborhoods.html">Get Out of Gyms, Get Into Neighborhoods</a> when I began walking in my 'hood. In 2011, when that post was written, I weighed 270 pounds and my opinion was that spending money on gyms was kinda silly when I could walk in my 'hood for free. Also, knowing that just seven years earlier I weighed 200 pounds was motivation enough to get me moving.<br />
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The encouragement and relations that developed from the walking were captured in <a href="http://www.richardtgarner.com/2011/10/never-know-whos-watching-you.html">Never Know Who's Watching</a>. Starting any new routine requires encouragement. Having someone affirming you in your journey is very valuable!</div>
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Eventually, my family did join a gym and it was an amazing chapter. I captured that experience in <a href="http://www.richardtgarner.com/2012/04/tales-from-unexpected-gym-rat.html">Tales From An Unexpected Gym Rat</a>. Being members allowed G to have access to the pool, for she and I to attend a daddy-daughter dance, to have her birthday party there, and for Kim and I to work out together. I could workout whenever since they are open 24/7. A challenge with walking the 'hood or trails in this area is snow and/or ice on the paths during winter. Also, it can be just too dang cold. The gym removed those obstacles...for a price.</div>
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Eventually, we had to drop our family membership to help our budget. After leaving the gym, typical of breaking any habit or routine, exercise slacked off. But soon I was hitting the trails, again, and <a href="http://www.richardtgarner.com/2014/07/back-on-wagon.html">Back On The Wagon</a>. During this chapter, I accomplished a goal of walking a half marathon by <a href="http://www.richardtgarner.com/2014/12/crossing-off-2014-goal.html">Crossing Off A 2014 Goal</a>.</div>
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Yet, through all those posts, my weight loss was minimal. Looking back, I know why:</div>
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-<b> My focus was more on exercise and less on changing my diet</b>. Taking in more calories than one burns is never gonna end well. Regardless of my exercise routine, consuming too many processed foods, sugars, and carbs was literally weighing me down.</div>
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-<b> No plan</b>. With no goals or plan to follow, life and distractions will get in the way and win.</div>
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- <b>No consistent partner.</b> Although Kim and I did workout often, it wasn't consistent. Having someone with which to share your ups and downs is crucial. And when everyone in a household is eating a certain way, there's no temptation to stray.</div>
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Flash forward three years and there was still no intentionality, no plan, lots of talk of "we should cook at home" and "we should all start walking" and "we should join a gym." Meanwhile, it was getting harder for me to standup from the couch, I was becoming slightly winded climbing stairs, my right knee randomly ached, and my ankles always had a distinctive mark from my socks.</div>
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It was beyond time for a change.</div>
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One day, my Facebook feed presented a post from a college friend, April Smith. She shared <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dropandlose/posts/253953908359548">in this post</a> that she had lost 79 pounds. Her before-and-after pics were amazing. I reached out to her wondering how she accomplished this. I didn't know at the time that Kim had done the same!</div>
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April shared that she had tried various weight loss programs with no success: Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Ideal Protein, and others. She ran a marathon and tried CrossFit for a year but lost nothing from either.</div>
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What worked for her is a program that offers some products but also focuses on recipes using fresh foods. The main product is a liquid mostly consisting of B12. Ten drops are taken three times a day for a minimum of 21 days and a maximum of 42 days. </div>
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Besides the drops, April recommended that we take some liquid vitamins that help with appetite control and a night time fat burner.</div>
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While this program clearly worked for her, my concern was if the investment into these products would produce results? Would they work for Kim and me? We prayed about this for a while and had a peace about ordering these products from April. When we got the products, they came with a plan detailing Phase 1, 2 and 3 and many recipes. We studied over this information, asked April several questions, and prepared to start the program.</div>
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What I learned very early into Phase 2:</div>
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- <b>I was over-eating every day</b>. Some random snacking in my mind wasn't bad. Grazing was ok. But the reality is that I was consuming more calories than I was burning. So, everyday I was gaining weight.</div>
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- <b>Restaurants overfeed us</b>. Most portions served at restaurants are two or more servings. I rarely took leftovers home.<br />
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- <b>Smaller portions filled me</b>. While it sounds backwards, the smaller portions consumed while on the program filled me up with the help of the products.<br />
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- <b>Frequent headaches stopped.</b> I took at least three iBuprofen weekly for headaches which felt more like migraines. Since losing weight, the worst headache I've had is allergy-related.<br />
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- <b>Weighing yourself daily is healthy.</b> I've heard more than once to not weigh daily or become a slave to the scale. If you don't weigh yourself how will you know your progress? How can you celebrate wins of losing or even maintaining? How will you know how well or poorly you ate the day before? Daily weighing is crucial.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WoaP_dfHvCk/WVV1G0tyVdI/AAAAAAAAIRU/JYyZmGNvtpocK05uF_MeYF1SO9ehPsMYwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--178083698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WoaP_dfHvCk/WVV1G0tyVdI/AAAAAAAAIRU/JYyZmGNvtpocK05uF_MeYF1SO9ehPsMYwCHMYCw/s320/blogger-image--178083698.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Beginning the journey Phase 1, Round 1 at 278 pounds.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZvOCUajVEQ8/WVWqRdabSjI/AAAAAAAAIRw/GACarYkYkEYyUBRQDiTUIzDK0_vqepY0ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-997071873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZvOCUajVEQ8/WVWqRdabSjI/AAAAAAAAIRw/GACarYkYkEYyUBRQDiTUIzDK0_vqepY0ACHMYCw/s320/blogger-image-997071873.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">During Phase 2 of Round 2 at 233 pounds. That's 45 pounds down!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ioeQeTNqUY/WVV1GJ7mSUI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/CcmJOIFNxDoohSdG_KSMPVhk0IaClOUngCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1713676260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ioeQeTNqUY/WVV1GJ7mSUI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/CcmJOIFNxDoohSdG_KSMPVhk0IaClOUngCHMYCw/s320/blogger-image-1713676260.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">During Phase 2 Round 3 at 226 pounds. That's 52 pounds down!</b>.</td></tr>
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When I first entered into my Fitbit the weight of 240 as my goal weight, I had no idea how that was going to happen but it seemed obtainable. My ultimate goal of 200 at that time seemed unrealistic. But how could I get to 240 by ordering in food multiple times a week, grazing throughout the day and even snacking late at night? My eating habits were constantly at odds with any exercise I attempted.<br />
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This program showed me not only how poor my eating choices were but also how some minor modifications and removing most processed foods could redefine me. I won't say it's been easy. There have been some difficult days. However, that's when doing this program with a spouse or friend is super helpful! Also, you have a huge community of other people doing this with you to lean on.<br />
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So, are you ready to be intentional about your weight loss? If I can do this, so can you! <a href="https://www.omnitrition.com/?u=richardtgarner">Click here for more information</a>.<br />
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-58380639247965049462017-09-07T12:38:00.001-04:002017-09-07T12:41:12.718-04:00Finding Clarity From Swamps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did you know you can find clarity from swamps?<br />
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I shared recently with a friend who is processing a difficult situation that he and I were in our own "swamps." It's difficult, frustrating, confusing, easy to get bogged down, scary, and has lots challenges. But if we weren't there, we would never learn what the Lord is trying to teach us.<br />
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My layoff is like a swamp.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I grew up writing poetry and short stories. Writing is what I've loved since middle school. Just before 10th grade, the Lord introduced me to broadcast radio. Never had I considered working in radio but what kid in the late 80's didn't like radio and have their favorite DJs?! I used my writing skills there and developed a love for audio production and voice-overs. I figured the future held my becoming a General Manager of one or several Christian radio stations. Radio seemed to be where He wanted me. All the while, I was self-learning web development.<br />
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However, the Lord led me into broadcast television where I used my love of writing, production, and continually growing web skills but also I discovered a love for video editing. Putting pictures with sound, aye, Lord? Ok, I see what You're doing! So, TV is where You want me! And to grow that experience, He brought me to Washington, DC, to build an online department at WUSA9 and manage a staff. While my online skills grew, my production skills went on the shelf and my writing became more memos, documents, and process.<br />
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When it was time to move on from there, all of my broadcast skills and the more focused online skills led me to AOL. Again, not what I was expecting or considering but I could see how the other jobs led me there. Little did I know going to AOL would be an answer to prayer for a few folks. That job grew from program management, to project management, to to nearly product management. These were fields I never considered going into but were where my skills naturally fit. For example, the memo, document, and process writing along with the building and leading a staff at WUSA9 helped my project management, mentoring several creative personnel, and interacting with other teams.<br />
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So, what's next? I honestly do not know. That has been unclear for almost three months. Is it Digital Project Management? Something entirely different? This is why I'm in a swamp right now. I know that He'll lead me out of it and I'll be better for it.<br />
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This is also true for you, friend, if you find yourself in a swamp. It's perfectly fine to be there! Regardless what others may say, you are not less a person for being there! Just don't stay there. Trust in Jesus to be your guide. He'll never leave you or forsake you.<br />
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<br />Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-37165854486009776462017-06-21T12:32:00.000-04:002017-06-21T12:49:39.631-04:00Being Intentional After A Layoff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One week ago today, I was laid off. It's still rather surreal. But I believe even in a layoff, one can be intentional.<br />
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Today, working for a company more than a few years is rare. There was a time when being an employee for one, two, or even three decades was admired and rewarded. In the tech industry, three years seems the average. </div>
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After three years, a worker can become an oddity. With nine years at AOL, I must've been a fossil. I wondered sometimes if people thought I had no ambition to "climb the corporate ladder." Or if I was one-dimensional and didn't wish to better myself. Else, why would one stay at the same job for nine years?</div>
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<a name='more'></a>For me, being Senior Project Manager for Engadget was fun and challenging - two things that a job must be if you're to remain at it. While not every day will be fun, you should overall enjoy your coworkers and enjoy going to work each day. By challenging, I don't mean that every day is a struggle - although some will be - but that you are presented with tasks and situations that require your skills to resolve.</div>
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When a job overall isn't fun and isn't challenging, it's time to move on.</div>
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There were moments when I considered moving on from AOL but the timing wasn't right. I didn't have a peace about leaving. Fact is, I was unlikely to get fired from my gig and just as unlikely to quit. Being laid off was the only way the Lord could move me onto the next chapter.</div>
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People are stunned when they find out you've been laid off. And while many aren't sure what to say, I've been asked three questions in one form or another consistently:<br />
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<li><b><u>Did you see this coming? </u></b>While I knew Verizon's purchase of Yahoo would lead to layoffs, I had no indications that I would be a laid off.</li>
<li><b><u>What's next?</u></b> I honestly do not know. Maybe I continue with tech publications or project management. Maybe I lead app product development. Maybe I return to broadcast radio or television production or marketing. Or maybe I go into the ministry or write novels. I honestly have no idea and while that's a little scary, I have a peace that the Lord will clarify and He will provide. He always has.</li>
<li><b><u>How can I help?</u></b> Pray. Please pray that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt what it is I need to be doing and where. Pray that I have a peace on that decision and that all other options are clearly presented as paths not to take. </li>
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Also, you can help by looking at my <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtgarner/">LinkedIn resume</a> and letting me know if you come across anything relevant.</div>
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For now, I've been given a gift. I have to be intentional and look at this situation as a gift. I have a chance to enjoy the summer even more than usual with my family. I have a chance to rebuild myself - to start over or strengthen. This is also a chance to honestly show my faith. Some have expressed how encouraging I have been to them in my processing of these changes. While that's a blessing, I know that I am not perfect. Last Friday, I was snippy with Kim & G and have been processing every emotion from being content to thinking that I'm discarded garbage. That my skills weren't good enough to be kept.<br />
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But these are toxic thoughts and not being intentional. Being intentional during a layoff means:<br /><br />
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<li><b><u>Updating your LinkedIn</u></b> - It's the easiest way to find a new job and network. Update your Recommendation section. Nothing showcases your skills and personality better than peer reviews of coworkers and supervisors.<br /></li>
<li><b><u>Tell friends and family how to pray for you</u></b> - Everyone will want to "pray for you" but you'll help them and yourself by telling them how to pray for you specifically. Then, keep them updated so those prayers can be accurate.<br /></li>
<li><b><u>Be willing to be willing</u> - </b>Unless you plan on going into a similar job, be open to change. This is a transition period. Embrace it as much as possible.<br /></li>
<li><b><u>Enjoy the time</u> </b>- Make it a priority not to rush into another position. Spend time with family an friends. Try a hobby. Go on a trip. Relax. Breathe.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's to the next chapter...</div>
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<br /></div>
Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-47731738372042396972017-05-21T16:29:00.000-04:002017-05-21T16:38:18.197-04:00One Murder, Many Lives Lost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbvXj3uuaj8/WR8S9Jw8a8I/AAAAAAAAIMQ/Wlt9j_8aF_QT7fJEVYGVDqeAI7Il1SFogCLcB/s1600/DAIzwipXoAEGc2l.jpg-medium.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbvXj3uuaj8/WR8S9Jw8a8I/AAAAAAAAIMQ/Wlt9j_8aF_QT7fJEVYGVDqeAI7Il1SFogCLcB/s320/DAIzwipXoAEGc2l.jpg-medium.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
This weekend, a 6-year-old boy would have been a Kindergarten graduate and three teenage men would not be charged with capitol murder.<br />
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My Facebook timeline was filled last week with conversations about this tragedy. Everyone was trying to process this event. Trying to understand it. Thinking about their own children.</div>
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I cannot fathom the pain of Kingston Frazier's parents. I cannot imagine the doubt and guilt that may consume his mother. I cannot relate to the sadness Kingston's family, friends, teachers...anyone that knew him...are facing today.</div>
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I also cannot grasp what leads anyone to needlessly take another life. This wasn't self-defense or some struggle for life. This was a child murdered.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>My thoughts turn to these three men, not even twenty years on this earth. Anger towards them is more than understandable. A desire for them to face justice is expected. Yet, the reality is...they need Jesus more than they need justice.<br />
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Perhaps the love of Christ was never shared with them. Perhaps they dismissed His love early on as irrelevant and not something that would better their lives. They must face the consequences of their actions but we cannot ignore what led to their actions. I suspect too many children today don't know real, unconditional love. They don't see it lived out between their parents...if both parents are under the same roof. They don't experience it in their home. With a foundation numb to love, accepting the love of Jesus is far more difficult and it's easier to devalue another life. If life has no value, there's nothing preventing it from being abused or snuffed out. Another life is a means to an end.<br />
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One of them fired a gun. Apparently several times. But, to be clear, this isn't about guns or gun control. One of these men made the decision to have that weapon on them. One of them chose to point it at Kingston. One of them chose to fire it multiple times into his body.<br />
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Gun control won't fix this problem. This is a heart problem. A sin problem. Broken, twisted, vile, and putrid sin festering in the heat of darkness. Only Jesus can fix that. Meanwhile, too many younger men are growing up without fathers or even older men willing to mentor them. Without mentors willing to invest in younger men and teach them right from wrong, another Kingston will die.<br />
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Indeed, Jesus can change a boy's heart but only men being intentional can change a boy's life.<br />
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-78418692225448181142017-01-18T14:31:00.001-05:002017-01-18T14:31:28.499-05:00Praying For Our President<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVyLEjCo1qM/WH_AXicBMHI/AAAAAAAAIBY/8zq0mhkuhGcsAVkU8kZ8C80ha_zOqPIZgCLcB/s1600/Donald-Trump-Jonathan-Ernst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVyLEjCo1qM/WH_AXicBMHI/AAAAAAAAIBY/8zq0mhkuhGcsAVkU8kZ8C80ha_zOqPIZgCLcB/s320/Donald-Trump-Jonathan-Ernst.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Whether you're a Christ-follower or simply believe in the power of prayer, you have an obligation this week. With this Presidential Inauguration, the first 100 days, and beyond...it's imperative the focus is upon prayer.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
In July 2009, I wasn't thinking much about praying for President Obama. It was clear to me that his views did not align with my own. I was increasingly distracted by my concerns and those of others. I did pray for him but not consistently. I spent more time reading and sharing articles on Facebook. I was also frustrated at where our country seemed to be heading.<br />
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In July 2009, I was determined to be intentional about supporting the President in the most proper way - to pray for him and his administration. Whether his views aligned with mine or not, as a Christian I was called to support he and other leaders through prayer. From July 2009 until May 2010, I authored a blog entitled "<a href="http://obamaprayers.blogspot.com/">Obama Prayers</a>." This blog was an effort to take news reports about him, his decisions, or the actions of his administration of which I had concerns and apply a prayer. The prayer was to help focus me and anyone reading.<br />
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Life and other distractions led to me abandoning the blog. Sadly, it never got much traffic either. Yet, I believe then as I do now that prayer is important for leaders...even those you oppose.<br />
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Below is one of the posts from Obama Prayers. I've changed any references from Obama to Trump.<br />
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Read it. Soak on it. Then, take action.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;">Prayer is a challenging thing. Here, we have God's ear to share our thoughts, concerns, and desires with Him and we often either don't do it enough or completely forget! It's tragic because so much can be gained from a healthy prayer life.<br /><br />Most of the time, it's easier to pray for someone we care about such as our spouse, family or friends. But what about our leaders? Our boss, pastor, mayor, governor, and the President are some people we should remember in prayer.</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />1 Timothy 2:1–3</span> says <span style="font-style: italic;">"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior..."</span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;">Kings and all in authority...well, that pretty much covers it. But what if I don't agree with the government? <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Romans 13</span> states, <span style="font-style: italic;">“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God...This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;">Ok, fine, I'll pray for my leaders...but not Donald Trump. Nope, not gonna do it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Luke 6: 27-31</span> says <span style="font-style: italic;">“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;">We don't have the luxury of praying only for people we like or only people who think like us. Loving our enemies is praying for them and interceding for them. Perhaps "enemy" is a strong word but it fits the bill on someone you dislike.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;">So, how can you pray for President Trump? Feel free to choose any of the prayer suggestions below and add them to a calendar or other means of devotional recording. </span><br />
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<ul><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: small;">
<li>Pray President Trump will seek God's Will for himself, his family, his administration, and America.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump is open to the Holy Spirit's teaching and guidance.</li>
<li>Pray for an ever-increasing knowledge of God.</li>
<li>Pray for President Trump's work to be the best.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump is sensitive to God’s voice, has spiritual ears, and a willing heart.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump stays far from gossip, deceit, or unbelief.</li>
<li>Pray God gives President Trump a spirit of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, strength, and obedient and reverent fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).</li>
<li>Pray for keen discernment between God’s wisdom and human wisdom.</li>
<li>Pray for pure motives, purged by God through the Word and President Trump's personal prayer time.</li>
<li>Pray for discernment against impure motives.</li>
<li>Pray God leads and directs President Trump's paths.</li>
<li>Pray for divine health—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.</li>
<li>Pray for all effects of tiredness and discouragement to be loosed from President Trump's mind and body.</li>
<li>Pray for fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).</li>
<li>Pray for total submission to the Lord in every aspect of life.</li>
<li>Pray for a spirit of unity, not competition; humility, not superiority; cooperation, not defensiveness.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump pursues righteousness, faith, love, and peace.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump feeds daily on the Word of God and maintains a faithful prayer life.</li>
<li>Pray God sends angels to guard President Trump, his family, and property, puts a hedge of protection around all that's going in, coming out, the air above, and the ground below.</li>
<li>Pray the angels go before President Trump and do battle in his behalf.</li>
<li>Pray God foils all attacks and traps of the enemy.</li>
<li>Pray against all occult activity—curses, witchcraft divination, sorcery.</li>
<li>Pray the Lord causes President Trump to abound in prosperity—body, soul, and spirit.</li>
<li>Thank God for providing all the needs—personal, family, ministry.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump will be a wise steward of time and be disciplined.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump's relationship with God is the top priority.</li>
<li>Pray for unity and understanding among the family members.</li>
<li>Pray there's no resentment when sacrifice is required.</li>
<li>Pray God meets President Trump's emotional needs.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump spends quality time with his family—both leisure time and spiritual time.</li>
<li>Pray the family discerns each other’s needs—emotional, physical, material, and spiritual.</li>
<li>Pray President Trump overcomes pressures and stress.</li>
</span></ul>
The Presidential Prayer Team has created USPRAY100TM - a nation-wide call to all who believe in the power of prayer to commit to praying for the Trump administration from January 23, 2016 - May 2, 2017. Visit <a href="http://www.uspray100.com/">here</a> for more.
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-10859412510268099202017-01-06T12:25:00.001-05:002017-01-06T12:26:12.887-05:00Goodbye Bones<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1D4LNhZC9n4/WGp1gVMV8WI/AAAAAAAAIAQ/l3zek-PYuxI/s640/blogger-image--2074749841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1D4LNhZC9n4/WGp1gVMV8WI/AAAAAAAAIAQ/l3zek-PYuxI/s320/blogger-image--2074749841.jpg" width="320" /></a>The death of someone special or close is tough, but it seems even more so when that death is around Christmas. Of all the holidays, losing someone at this time is hardest. On Christmas Eve morn 2016, my family said goodbye to Bones the cat.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Kim found him around 14 years ago in a rough neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi. She was helping provide meals to volunteers of a <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/worldchangers/">World Changers</a> construction ministry. While going to check on some students, she was met by them shouting, "Miss Kim, Miss Kim! You have to help this kitty! He's sick!" In the backyard of one the homes, the students had come across a litter of feral kittens. Bones was the only kitten they could catch. Kim placed him in a box, and one of the students thought she should ask the owners of the backyard if she could take him. The owner's son said she could take as many as she wanted.<br />
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At the vet, Kim was in tears because of how pathetic Bones appeared. The vet staff said they would find a good home for him, but by that time I think Kim had already decided he was family.<br />
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How did he come by the name Bones? When I met him, the picture below is what I saw. He looked and felt like a bag of bones. With the white fur and my love for Star Trek, it was clear his name had to be Bones.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xIpOpMZeW34/WGp1gxysADI/AAAAAAAAIAU/dlzGIOrCQw8/s640/blogger-image-1728022459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xIpOpMZeW34/WGp1gxysADI/AAAAAAAAIAU/dlzGIOrCQw8/s320/blogger-image-1728022459.jpg" width="274" /></a>I recall him taking a liking to snuggling with me and kneading my right chest. He never stayed long but this was nearly a nightly ritual for us since he was a kitten.<br />
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As he grew, it was obvious that he wasn't going to be a full-sized cat. Perhaps it was his breeding or malnourishment but he became known as our "little man." He was also the most skittish cat. He often slinked around as if thinking something was going to jump out and grab him. The only time he didn't seem nervous was at bedtime when the lights were out. Maybe he felt he had more control then and that nothing was going to surprise him. He often jerked when he was touched by surprise and even when he knew he was going to be picked up. I considered him a "Chihuahua Cat" thankfully without the random peeing.<br />
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Bones was "my cat" partially because he and I made up the only testosterone in the house.<br />
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Fourteen years and some change is a good life for a cat. I miss having my "little man" around.<br />
<br />Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-51173062689469737372016-11-09T17:40:00.004-05:002016-11-10T07:46:43.437-05:00Today and Tomorrow, Being Side By Side<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rrL4ryvYCX8/WCOgqvVDTtI/AAAAAAAAHnU/sviLkV-jpYY/s640/blogger-image-351462287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rrL4ryvYCX8/WCOgqvVDTtI/AAAAAAAAHnU/sviLkV-jpYY/s320/blogger-image-351462287.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It began late last night. Shock, disbelief, anger, and grief. My Twitter and Facebook feeds began to try and capture many stunned emotions. Even my Instagram and Snapchat feeds began to showcase the dismay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course, all the feeds contained the celebrations of many Trump supporters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reflecting back to the 2012 election, I was curious what some tweets may have been at that time from Romney supporters. What would be the tone and would the verbiage be similar? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Scripture says, "There is nothing new under the sun."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First, here's a few tweets from this morning:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, this is just a global disaster.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Mark Woods (@RevMarkWoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/RevMarkWoods/status/796253065414262784">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't want to go to sleep because I don't want to have to wake up and remember afresh that this happened.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Rachel Held Evans (@rachelheldevans) <a href="https://twitter.com/rachelheldevans/status/796258770074685442">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8 years ago, America elected its 1st Black president. Today, it elected a candidate endorsed by the KKK.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Sam Sanders (@samsanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/samsanders/status/796260398567669760">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I think Hillary was an extraordinary candidate, this was a total rejection of her for reasons I don't understand.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Villi Iltchev (@VilliSpeaks) <a href="https://twitter.com/VilliSpeaks/status/796257886275923968">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can only hope that we can heal the cancer of hatred that has been exposed. It was here the whole time. Let the work begin. Choose love. 💙</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaraBareilles/status/796264220086169600">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have basically just told ANOTHER generation of women no matter how good you are, an unqualified man is better. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/electionnight?src=hash">#electionnight</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Kelli Russell Agodon (@KelliAgodon) <a href="https://twitter.com/KelliAgodon/status/796262909017890817">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stop asking me to play nice, to be tolerant, to respect Trump as our president... that's not gonna happen...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Matthew Paul Turner (@HeyMPT) <a href="https://twitter.com/HeyMPT/status/796303216111734784">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="und">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙 <a href="https://t.co/kuETRP7tb0">pic.twitter.com/kuETRP7tb0</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileyCyrus/status/796377820091981824">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is so sad. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotMyPresident?src=hash">#NotMyPresident</a> <a href="https://t.co/224egfE265">pic.twitter.com/224egfE265</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— fuck donald trump (@CuddlyStylez) <a href="https://twitter.com/CuddlyStylez/status/796426658425278465">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How do you gently explain to an autistic kid why the guy who made fun of people like her was elected to be president? She is scared. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Help?src=hash">#Help</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Sp00pyMadMadamMim (@Aerica76) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aerica76/status/796355733319249920">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, let's step back to 2012:</span>
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<div>
<div class="storify">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="no" height="750" src="//storify.com/TheWeek/hysterical-tweets-from-disappointed-romney-support/embed" width="100%"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't share those old tweets to diminish anyone's struggle or hurt they are processing today. Frankly, I share them to offer that I and other conservatives know what you're feeling. What may be difficult to comprehend is that half the country does not agree with where President Obama has taken the country. His administration's policies have pushed many away.<br /><br />Equally, those who voted for Trump are not deplorables, rednecks, ignorant, racists, misogamists, all-white, all-male, bigots, or evangelicals. I know that I have grown weary of being labeled, name-called, and shouted-down or over for the last eight years.<br /><br />What we need to do now, more than ever is to listen. Hug. And listen some more. Let's stop trying to shove agendas, polices, or how we want someone to change down throats. I know that I need to take more time to understand how and why someone thinks differently than me. And not just one...several people. Many people. Make the time to listen. Hopefully, you'll get the chance to share your thoughts as well. But it starts with listening. <br /><br /> In those moments, it's not about me or you being right or wrong. You feel a certain way and have a certain opinion. Maybe you're spot-on or maybe there's an avenue you haven't considered. <br /><br /> That's dialogue and conversation. With that, we can heal. With that we can be side by side.<br /><br />New voters, remember this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear 18 year olds-sorry election was so heated. Next 1 will be better. Kidding. Don't wait on the government. Build a better world yourself.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Jon Acuff (@JonAcuff) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonAcuff/status/796366417629089792">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everyone else, including any #NeverTrump folks, check this out:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I didn’t vote for the man, but come January 20, 2017, Donald Trump will be my president. Here’s my plan. <a href="https://t.co/7d23SYXZw8">https://t.co/7d23SYXZw8</a> <a href="https://t.co/19cn57sr7k">pic.twitter.com/19cn57sr7k</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— Reid Vance (@reidvance) <a href="https://twitter.com/reidvance/status/796364972196528128">November 9, 2016</a></span></blockquote>
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-15464364066861525522016-11-08T11:16:00.002-05:002016-11-08T11:16:48.556-05:00No Contest Comparing Reasons Not To Vote For Clinton And Trump<div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I doubt anything written by me will change anyone's mind regarding today's election. If you haven't already voted, your mind is likely made up. There's a slim to no chance of anyone influencing your decision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I hope that decision is to vote. Not voting is not an option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some people think their vote won't count, their vote won't make a difference, the election has already been decided or is rigged, or neither candidate deserves their vote. In 2012, Obama only won the popular vote by 5 million. Far more than that didn't bother to cast a vote that day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, not voting today is not an option. </span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I suspect you have your reasons for voting for one candidate and not voting for the other. Out of curiosity, I Googled "reasons not to vote for Clinton" and "reasons not to vote for Trump." Picking the leading results from each search, I've compiled the responses below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are in no particular order and their sources are listed at the end of this article.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you make the time to read through these and compare them, it should become clear to you as it did to me that there's a difference in these two candidates. Hillary Clinton is corrupt and seemingly operates above the law. She represents everything that is wrong with politics today. Her history is littered with scandals, lies, and blood. Donald Trump's column is filled with character issues. He said this, he said that, he acted a certain way, and he made some poor decisions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is Donald Trump perfect? Not by a long shot. Do I support or overlook some of the outrageous words and decisions he's chosen? Not at all. Yet, to compare the two and be given the choice of having Trump or another four years of the Clintons in White House, for me the choice is easy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm with Trump. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps you deem me foolish for thinking so but I love the idea of not having a career politician as President. I love the idea of shaking things up, having someone who doesn't need to be bought, and having someone who wants to drain the swamp. I also love the idea of showing many media outlets, Hollywood celebrities, and other liberal establishments that they do not speak for all of America. And I hope many will have the integrity to stick to their words and move out of the country if Trump wins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">America can have a female President, but not Hillary. America deserves better. She needs better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you choose to unfollow me or block me for this decision, that's your choice. Many friends and followers have already or will vote for Clinton. While I disagree with their choice, it doesn't define them for me. Unfollowing or blocking me because of my political choice is a lack of maturity and shows that you care more about one sliver of my personality than continuing to stay connected to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Either way, I pray we will seek God's wisdom and discernment. I pray that He will heal our land.</span><br />
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<tr><th><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reasons Not To Vote Clinton</span></th><th><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reasons Not To Vote Trump</span></th></tr>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary claimed she came under sniper fire during a trip to Bosnia. That claim was easily <a href="http://sharylattkisson.com/hillary-clintons-dodging-sniper-fire-in-bosnia-tale/">debunked</a> by Sharyl Attkisson who was accompanied Hillary’s trip as a member of the press. Hillary twice tried to make the silly suggestion stick before the media caught up with her.*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trump is a too old to be running for President: If he somehow wins, Donald Trump will be 70 years old when he takes office. That would make him the oldest man ever to be elected to the White House for the first time.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary was at the center of “Travelgate” during her time as first lady. The controversy surrounded seven people who were fired in the office and replaced with her cronies.*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He’s a drama queen: One day he’s getting in a fight with Megyn Kelly; the next day he’s saying Carly Fiorina is ugly and the next thing you know, he has a back and forth going with the Pope. Trump’s like a five year old who will pull the cat’s tail, throw a ball through the window or curse in front of company as long it gets people looking at him. Good attention, bad attention, he doesn’t care. The same traits that make Donald Trump great on reality TV would make him temperamentally unfit to be President.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In two years, 2013-2015, Hillary made <a href="http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Columns/2016/02/02/Why-37-Year-Old-Clinton-Financial-Scandal-Still-Relevant">$2.9 million in speaking fees</a> from large corporations including $675,000 from Goldman Sachs. *</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A man as thin skinned and vengeful as Trump can’t be trusted as President: Trump has written whole chapters of books that discuss how important it is to get revenge on people who cross him. If you trust a man who thinks like that with the FBI, DOJ, DHS, our military and the IRS, then you are either foolish or you just assume he won’t go after you and don’t care if he abuses his office to go after other people.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 1978 and 1979, Hillary turned a <a href="http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Columns/2016/02/02/Why-37-Year-Old-Clinton-Financial-Scandal-Still-Relevant">$1,000 investment into $98,540</a> in less than one year trading cattle futures under the guidance of a Tyson Foods outside attorney. Tyson Foods, under state law, was supposed to dispose of its chicken manure properly, but the state’s governor, Bill Clinton, never enforced the law. Five years later, seepage from the waste contaminated a community’s drinking water and made people sick. It took Bill Clinton 15 months to declare the town a disaster area. *</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He’s a conspiracy theorist: Before he started falsely claiming Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio weren’t eligible to be President, Trump was a <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2016/01/19/the-25-worst-quotes-from-donald-trump-n2106456/page/full">birther who was publicly claiming Obama’s birth certificate was a fraud.</a>****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%22http://www.lifenews.com/2016/04/26/pro-abortion-hillary-clinton-i-want-to-go-further-left-than-obama/">wants</a> more funding to go to the abortion giant and butcher shop, Planned Parenthood. *</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trump is a misogynist: Not only has Donald Trump <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/donald-trump-said-a-lot-of-gross-things-about-women-on-howar">said a lot of gross things about women in general</a>, he also said, “You know, it really doesn’t matter what they write as long as you’ve got a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-books_55d4a1a7e4b07addcb44e2e3">young and beautiful piece of ass.</a>” Hillary is going to accuse whoever the Republican nominee is of being sexist. If Trump’s the nominee, it will be true.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary <a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2016/04/26/pro-abortion-hillary-clinton-i-want-to-go-further-left-than-obama/">believes</a> that an unborn child — just hours before delivery — has no constitutional rights, i.e., no right to life. *</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trump’s an even more perfect example of narcissistic personality disorder than Barack Obama.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has every intention of using the <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/425099/hillary-clinton-religious-liberty">full power of the federal government</a> to snuff out religious liberty. *</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trump’s a phony Christian: There’s no such thing as an unrepentant adulterer who doesn’t ask God for forgiveness who also happens to be a Christian. Trump is so unfamiliar with the church that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/02/01/donald-trump-accidentally-put-money-in-the-communion-plate-at-a-church-in-iowa/">he doesn’t even know what an offering plate looks like.</a>****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After four American lives were lost in Benghazi, Hillary Clinton <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/the-benghazi-patsy-091101">blamed</a> Nakoula Basseley Nakoula for a film he made about Islam. Hillary further falsely claimed the attack was in response to said film. To Charles Woods, the father of one of the deceased at Benghazi, Hillary said, “We will make sure that the person who made that film is arrested and prosecuted.” Nakoula was immediately jailed for over a year.*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He’s made creepy comments about dating his daughter: Sorry, but this is just a gross, weird and completely inappropriate comment to make about your own child, “I don’t think Ivanka would do that [pose for Playboy], although she does have a very nice figure. I’ve said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her.” Incidentally, he’s said things like this more than once.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary not only wants to make gun ownership illegal for many, but would allow gun manufacturers to be <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/apr/26/most-americans-disagree-clinton-suing-gun-makers/">sued</a> by those who have been shot by a legally owned gun. This would include those committing crimes on private property.*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trump cheated on his wife: Not only did cheat Trump on his wife, he <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2016/01/19/the-25-worst-quotes-from-donald-trump-n2106456/page/full">BRAGGED</a> about sleeping with married women in one of his books.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Black Lives Matter founder from Worchester, Massachusetts, <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/124391/yes-she-can">once complained to Hillary</a>, “Until someone speaks the truth to white people in this country so that we can actually take on anti-blackness as a founding problem in this country, I don’t believe that there is going to be a solution. What in your heart has changed that’s going to change the direction of this country?” Hillary responded, “I don’t believe you change hearts, I believe you change laws. You change allocation of resources. You change the way systems operate,” indicating that she would change government to implement BLM’s demands.*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donald Trump would be the first President to have made money off of a strip club: Are you really going to be proud to tell your kids that you’re backing a guy who made money off of casinos and a strip club for President?****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While an attorney in Arkansas, Hillary <a href="http://sweetness-light.com/archive/hillary-versus-the-allegedly-raped-child#.U55rifmwLYh">defended a child rapist</a>, knew he was guilty, but impugned the character of the 12 year old victim anyway, which would send the now-52 year old woman on a path to a life of drugs and crime. Hillary claimed the girl actively sought out “older men,” and had a reputation as a liar. In an interview, Hillary talked about having the rapist take a lie detector test, which he passed, and laughing, Hillary said, “Which forever destroyed my faith in polygraphs.”*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donald Trump makes fun of the handicapped: What sort of man mocks people for being handicapped? Trump has done it at least twice. He made fun of Charles Krauthammer, who’s paralyzed, by saying, "I get called by a guy that <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/donald-trump/12019097/Donald-Trump-accused-of-mocking-disabled-reporter.html">can't buy a pair of pants</a>, I get called names?" Trump also mocked the appearance of a New York Times reporter with a <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34930042">congenital joint condition</a>. You’d be ashamed of your own child if he behaved this way; so how can you vote for a man like this?****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Juanita Broaddrick claimed she was raped by Bill Clinton, Paula Jones won a $850,000 settlement when she accused Bill of sexual harassment, and Kathleen Willey accused Bill of sexual assault. In each of these cases, and many more, Hillary hired <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jan/14/hillary-clinton-haunted-by-efforts-to-destroy-bill/">private detectives to dig up dirt on Bill’s accusers</a> in order to destroy their stories, and keep Bill on his path to the White House, as told by biographer Carl Bernstein, former aide George Stephanopoulous, and former Clinton aide Dick Morris.*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trump mocked prisoners of war: I don’t much care for John McCain, but Trump didn’t just insult McCain, he mocked every American prisoner of war when he said,“(John McCain is) not a war hero…. He’s a war hero because he was captured. <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/07/19/what-donald-trump-said-about-mccain-obama-immigrants-his-hair/">I like people that weren’t captured.</a>” There were a lot of American war heroes who served honorably and were captured. They shouldn’t be laughed at by a man who never even served in the military.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As partners in the Rose Law Firm, Hillary, Bill, and Jim and Susan McDougal participated in a pyramid scheme that used fraudulent real estate loans involving inflated appraisals to circumvent federal law. By the time the FBI investigated, every single person involved was indicted or destroyed except Bill and Hillary. <a href="http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2015/03/126283.php">Power Line reported in March 2015</a>: Clinton, working with Webster Hubbell and Vince Foster, stole hard copies of the billing records of the Rose law firm where they were partners. They erased the electronic version of these records. One set of these documents was later found in the White House, just outside Hillary’s private office, by an employee. Another set was found in Foster’s attic by his widow, some years after he committed suicide. Clinton’s time sheets (handwritten, as was the practice back in the day) were never found.*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trump has many failed business ventures: Trump gives people the impression that he always wins. Certainly he has had a lot of success, but he also failed over and over again in ventures he knows little about just like he will if he’s the GOP’s nominee. It will be one more failed business venture like Trump steaks, Trump Vodka, Trump the Game, Trump Magazine, Trump Mortgage, Trump Airlines, Trump University, Trump Casinos and the New Jersey Generals.****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In reaction to seeing a menorah in a friend’s home, Hillary wouldn’t get out of her car, and <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/03/hillary_and_israel_you_cant_te.html">friends heard Bill explain</a>, "I'm sorry, but Hillary's really tight with the people in the PLO in New York. They're friends of hers, and she just doesn't feel right about the menorah."*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suggesting Ted Cruz’s Father Was Part of the JFK Assassination. Hours before effectively clinching the Republican nomination in early May, Trump saw fit to link Ted Cruz’s father, Rafael to the assassination of President Kennedy. <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/05/trump-ted-cruz-father-222730">He told Fox & Friends</a>, “I mean, what was he doing — what was he doing with Lee Harvey Oswald shortly before the death? Before the shooting?” *****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary Clinton is a liar. I don’t mean this as political conjecture, but <a href="http://louderwithcrowder.com/caught-top-5-hillary-clinton-lies/">a proven, verifiable liar</a>. She lied about the Irish peace process, her vote in favor of the Iraq war, her reason for illegally using a personal email server, that her family was dead broke when they left the White House, about landing under sniper fire in Bosnia, where Chelsea was on 9/11, who she was named after, Benghazi… and <a href="http://louderwithcrowder.com/caught-top-5-hillary-clinton-lies/">the list goes on</a>.**</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His Racist, Self-Serving Attack on Judge Curiel. Trump wants Judge Gonzalo Curiel to recuse himself from the Trump University case because of his “<a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-keeps-up-attacks-on-judge-gonzalo-curiel-1464911442">Mexican heritage</a>” and “<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/03/politics/donald-trump-tapper-lead/">he’s a Mexican</a>”. Well, good to know that Trump judges Curiel by the color of his skin.*****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary Clinton was MIA when <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/12/paul-hillary-clinton-missed-3-am-phone-call-on-ben/">the 3am phone call</a> came from Benghazi. What difference does it make? The life of four Americans – a huge difference. The Russian Reset? <a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/11/20/russia-invades-ukraine-again-and-again-and-yet-again/">Russia invaded Ukraine</a> on her watch. Again. And again. And again. Boko Haram? Hillary Clinton’s State Department refused to call it <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2623349/Hillary-Clintons-State-Department-refused-brand-girl-kidnap-group-Boko-Haram-terrorists.html">a terrorist organization.</a>**</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His Reluctance to Condemn David Duke It’s not often that a presidential candidate gets the support of both <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">David Duke</a> and <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/03/louis-farrakhan-donald-trump-220021">Louis Farrakhan</a>. Trump has done the impossible and united these hateful figures.*****</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary Clinton accepted millions of Dollars <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/foreign-governments-gave-millions-to-foundation-while-clinton-was-at-state-dept/2015/02/25/31937c1e-bc3f-11e4-8668-4e7ba8439ca6_story.html">from foreign governments</a>. While serving as Secretary of State, The Clinton Foundation (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2015/02/18/foreign-donations-to-hillary-clintons-foundation-raise-major-ethical-questions/">illegally</a>) accepted boatloads of cash from countries that fund Hamas, harbor terrorists, suppress women, and regularly execute gays and lesbians.***</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We must stand for something. Donald Trump’s version of America does not include folks not like him. Instead, he is all about what Sarah Palin labeled “real Americans.” The fact that all us others seem to be utterly expendable is deeply troubling. Targeting an entire religion ― Islam, with 1.6 billion adherents, 3.3 million being U.S. citizens ― for extra scrutiny or worse is patently inconsistent with traditional American values, if not those of the “real Americans.” ******</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any government official who feels the need to ask, “At this point what does difference does it make?” where it concerns the deaths of four Americans including our Ambassador to Libya is unfit to be President of the United States. Mind you she asked this question after publicly blaming an internet video for the attack on the consulate, an attack that just happened to occur on the 11th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Of course, her e-mail correspondence with daughter Chelsea on the attack indicated <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3404112/Emails-Hillary-Clinton-daughter-Chelsea-night-Benghazi-attacks-revealed.html">it was carried out by an “al Qaeda like group.</a>” Again, Hillary takes full responsibility, <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-hillary-clinton-tim-kaine-democratic-ticket-scott-pelley/">but as she told Scott Pelley on 60 Minutes</a>, “It was not my ball to carry.” We’ve come a long way from “The Buck stops here” to “It was not my ball to carry.” In this case, a long way isn’t a good way.***</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bullies will always exist somewhere, but the White House should not be that somewhere. What does a bully do? Most of all he or she seeks to intimidate, physically or at least verbally. So far this character trait of Donald’s has been exclusively verbal and aimed at business adversaries and more recently politicians and journalists ― and, of course, then ex-ghost writer of his book and ex-employees or contractors he cheated (those who do not have anti-disparagement contractual handcuffs) who dare to candidly assess his conduct.******</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hillary Clinton’s conduct in setting up a private e-mail server which transmitted top secret information and the FBI declining to recommend criminal charges demonstrates that she is above the law. Worse, Hillary acts like there is one law for her and her family and one law for everyone else. Oh, she takes “full responsibility” for her e-mails while saying other Secretaries of State have done the same. So when Hillary takes full responsibility for something, she is really taking no responsibility at all. This is a very dangerous quality for someone who seeks the office of President of the United States to possess.***</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Temperament, demeanor and character are important. In many ways, Donald represents the very worst in all of us, or at least many of us. He is all about continuous gratification. He is the petulant child who wants his way. He is the selfish teenager with no big picture yet. He is the spoiled young man of privilege with the “right” race and religion, education, good looks, and family fortune to succeed easily, and who looks down on others lacking in any of the above who do not. ******</span></td>
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<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Project Veritas captured evidence of voter fraud and planting paid agitators at Trump campaign rallies. Robert Creamer, founder of Democracy Advocates and the husband of Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky, Illinois Democrat, stepped down from the campaign Tuesday, a day after Scott Foval was fired from his post as national field director of Americans United for Change.*******</span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Success does matter. Donald Trump’s business success is greatly exaggerated and his skills limited. Donald Trump is a great salesman and a showman/promoter in a league only with PT Barnum. This we can give him. He has also been very good at making his name a brand and selling its use. For a while, he had some pretty high TV ratings by telling out of work celebrities they were fired. However, even in his own playing field, ask any large New York real estate developer, of which—surprise, surprise—he is not one, at least not as to large (14th in New York City on the latest list), and you will learn his successes are few.******</span></td>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* - from <a href="https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/09/49-abominable-facts-about-hillary-the-media-wont-tell-you">49 ABOMINABLE FACTS ABOUT HILLARY THE MEDIA WON'T TELL YOU</a> ** - from <a href="http://louderwithcrowder.com/7-undeniable-reasons-you-can-not-vote-hillary-clinton/">7 Undeniable Reasons You CAN NOT Vote Hillary</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*** - from <a href="http://spectator.org/10-reasons-why-i-will-never-vote-for-hillary-clinton/">10 Reasons Why I Will Never Vote for Hillary Clinton</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**** - from <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2016/02/27/40-reasons-not-to-vote-for-donald-trump-n2125585">40 Reasons Not To Vote For Donald Trump</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***** - from <a href="http://spectator.org/10-reasons-why-i-will-never-vote-for-donald-trump/">10 Reasons Why I Will Never Vote for Donald Trump</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">****** - from <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-hired-me-as-an-attorneyplease-dont_us_579e52dee4b00e7e269fb30f?section=politics">Donald Trump Hired Me As An Attorney. Please Don’t Support Him For President</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">******* - from <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/10/19/white-house-urges-extreme-caution-viewers-project-veritas-videos/">White House Urges ‘Extreme Caution’ To Viewers of Project Veritas Videos</a></span><br />
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<br />Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-11197592554220477252016-11-03T14:49:00.002-04:002016-11-03T14:49:38.890-04:00Antique Cars Take My Breath Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a name='more'></a>Sure, some modern cars are rather amazing in design. In this picture, my driving a vehicle with a push button starter and a touch screen navigation is something not common place a decade ago. I doubt such would've even been science fiction when the pictured 1939 Plymouth was in production.<br />
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And maybe that alone is the allure. All many of us have to explore these simpler, more elegant times are photos and movies. Some of us have access to family or friends still living. But to encounter a vehicle from yesteryears is rather special. It's also a perspective case with the car in this picture: this vehicle was produced before World War II. America wouldn't know of this war until December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.</div>
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There's also something to say for craftsmanship that can last 77 years. A contented sigh of thanks to each person who love these beauties enough to keep them on the roads.</div>
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-11526261599237434872016-07-09T14:56:00.002-04:002016-07-09T14:57:48.430-04:00Thanks For Trashing My New Car<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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My daughter was waiting outside for me to take her to school. As I locked up the house, she walked over to the passenger door of our new Honda. Approaching her, I knew something was wrong in the way she was staring into the car. As I came beside her, it appeared someone had broken into the vehicle.<br />
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The passenger seat was covered with papers of various colors and sizes. It appeared to be trash, and none of which came from the car. I scanned the exterior body and went to the drivers door. No broken glass, no damage.<br />
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It sunk in that I must've forgotten to lock the vehicle the previous night. It's been an adjustment getting used to a "smart key" when I've always had a physical key and for the last several years a remote lock. Thankfully, there was nothing of value in the car. All that was missing were about a dollar in quarters.<br />
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Thankfully, the trash contained nothing gross or any liquids. Also, there was no damage to the interior. I put all the trash into a plastic sack and used a wet towel to wipe off the seat. Later, I determined the trash - awaiting pickup early that morning - belonged to a nearby neighbor courtsey of some mailers among the mess.<br />
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Driving to school, I prayed with G for the person(s) that did this. I share this not to boast but as a reminder (even to myself) that prayer is needed. Prayer is important. Prayer should be the first response. The person(s) that were going through my neighborhood looking for unlocked cars (they found others) could've been doing this out of desperation. Was the trash dumped on the seat a message of "Watch me dirty your new car" or a convenient way to look through the trash for valuables?<br />
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They need the love of Jesus more than my anger or frustration.<br />
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It's a shame we have to lock our homes and cars. It's a shame we cannot keep things of value in these places because even locked they can be broken into. But I believe these things are symptoms of a problem that money, laws, and polices cannot fix.<br />
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Our society's homes are broken.<br />
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Broken people make up broken families. Broken children come from single and divorced parents. Some children are basically raising themselves. With little to no guidance, love, and discipline, children are enabled by a society that says "do what makes you feel happy."<br />
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Much of our country has lost its way. We get so worked up and focused on the "civil rights" of who can marry and who can use bathrooms, that we don't even notice a child needing a mentor...or that millions of children are slaves in the sex trafficking industry.<br />
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So, thanks for trashing my new car. It reminds me how we need to do whatever we can to fix homes and families, because that will fix the community. Fix the communities, fix the city. Fix the cities, fix the state. Fix the states, fix the country.<br />
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<br />Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-74038231634769804792016-06-10T11:28:00.001-04:002016-06-10T11:28:12.193-04:00The School Is On Lockdown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have received many surprising texts but none compare to picking up my phone and reading the sentence "The school is on Lockdown."<br />
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On the afternoon of May 6, 2016, that text came across my and my wife's phones. Our daughter had just learned that her school was on lockdown and texted us with her iPad.</div>
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What's the best sentence out of these two conversations? "I'm glad that He is."<br />
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Context can be everything. Being in a frightening situation is just that...frightening. However, when you know that God is control, that He is bigger than any situation, and that He is on your side...that's life-changing context.<br />
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Any parent reading that text from their child would be alarmed but knowing that God is in control, that He is bigger than that situation, and that He is on our side...that's mind-easing context.<br />
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Typing my response to G, I wanted to reach out to my wife and search online for a news update. Yet, I had a peace that my little girl was fine. She was safe.<br />
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Frightening situations will come but I cannot imagine facing those without God's context.</div>
Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-3225087342616295242016-03-28T15:33:00.002-04:002016-04-07T15:06:27.511-04:00It's Not Always "Just A Car"<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZXVud2sIUU/VvmFeOiFgFI/AAAAAAAAHIw/dpHF0Ga2Erc/s640/blogger-image-440427538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZXVud2sIUU/VvmFeOiFgFI/AAAAAAAAHIw/dpHF0Ga2Erc/s400/blogger-image-440427538.jpg" width="400" /></a>It's "just a car." That's an easy phrase for me to say when having to depart with a vehicle and trying not to feel bummed. Perhaps I'm also trying to distance myself from seeming materialistic and putting forth the acknowledgment that this is after all a hunk of mostly metal and plastic. It's also an attempt to put into perspective that my family has another vehicle and there are many people less fortunate. However, I'm fairly confident we're all attached to our vehicles. Some of us more so than others.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>There wasn't much special about my 2001 Toyota Solara. When I bought her in 2006, I wasn't looking for that specific model. I needed a reliable car at a good price to get me to my work in DC. It was a departure from my previous two antique Benz. The last of which I had transported to Maryland from Mississippi. That 280SE served me well but just wasn't a commuter vehicle. It was sad to see her go, too.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2591058027712196623" name="more"></a><br />
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I think vehicles not only represent some extension of our personality but they also represent freedom. It's the ability to travel anywhere at anytime. This isn't an issue in larger cities with well established public transportation. There, much of what one wants to do or get to is within walking distance.<br />
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They're also somewhat part of the family. Life is lived in these machines. The take us to or are directly involved with the good, bad, and ugly times. So, when they are wrecked beyond repair or are suddenly no longer worth putting more money into - as was my case - there's a loss. For me, it was a sense of mourning.<br />
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Added to that was some embarrassment. I was certain this issue was an AC compressor failing because I had researched it and gotten an opinion from two mechanics. Instead, the buyer of the car identified the Solara having a leaking head gasket and the loud noise was actually coming from the engine. On the plus side, if I had towed it to my mechanic to get the compressor fixed, he would've diagnosed the real issue and I would've had to sell it from his lot. Instead, it's no longer outside and will get a new engine and a new life in Virginia.<br />
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Meanwhile, asking for prayer about finding a new vehicle is perfectly normal for me. The Lord has always guided us to the best vehicles. They've been what we needed and often had what we wanted. Some might find that odd...why pray for God to find a car? I believe the Lord is interested in everything we do. Every decision. Every choice. We can either act on our own and face the consequences of those choices, or we can pray for His wisdom and discernment. I believe His wisdom and discernment are crucial in everything from choosing a job, house, car, and medical procedure to having the words to say during a conversation.<br />
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I know God will provide the right car at the right time for my family. It certainly may not be when or how I expected, but that really doesn't matter. When He orchestrates the moment, we just need to be willing to be willing.<br />
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<br />Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-68688430513852973142016-01-01T14:45:00.000-05:002016-01-01T14:45:21.110-05:00Pour Life Into One Another<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-64wAXqLcuvo/VoU7horzSqI/AAAAAAAAG5A/rQf-jOLugKk/s640/blogger-image-734552954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-64wAXqLcuvo/VoU7horzSqI/AAAAAAAAG5A/rQf-jOLugKk/s400/blogger-image-734552954.jpg" width="400" /></a>I stumbled across this video clip and this is why I love the internet! I never know on any given day what morsel of wisdom, encouragement, hilarity, or entertainment will be found.<br />
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This clip is from Angel-A, a French fantasy romantic drama film. What's unique about this video is that a man is being forced to examine himself and see his value. This something I think most people, especially guys, have difficulty doing.<br />
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Having been involved in men's ministry for years, I've seen too many men not know their own value. Too many have felt like failures, thought they were beyond God's salvation, or thought that they had disappointed important people around them. They've been told too many times by too many people that they don't match up in one way or another. They're too fat, not exciting, not ambitious, too stuck in a rut, and can't do such-and-such as good as so-and-so.<br />
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Don't misunderstand. There's a difference between giving someone a "kick in the pants" to push them into maturing or growing and just beating the encouragement out of someone.</div>
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What's so powerful about men's ministry is when guys get vulnerable and honest with themselves and their Brothers. There are few things as amazing as having a Band of Brothers to lean on when I need prayer, insight, or just to hang. When guys take time to invest in another guy, lives are radically changed. For the one being poured into, the one(s) doing the pouring, and people around them.</div>
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So, pour life into one another. Freely and frequently. Lives are depending on it.<br />
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<br />Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-17106603336882905002015-10-21T17:37:00.002-04:002015-10-21T17:44:52.886-04:00Lessons From Joe Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dragnet was on television before I was born. Its first season aired in 1967. Since then, other reboots and a movie attempted to keep the character Joe Friday alive. For me, Joe Friday is Jack Webb. An actor and producer, Webb wanted the show to have realism and unpretentious acting. The show captured the boredom and drudgery of police work along with the danger and heroism. It also helped improve public opinion of police officers.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>If we ever needed Joe Friday, we need him today. While police are stereotyped as violent, corrupt, and racial profiling, some are being senselessly murdered. It feels like a sad time for our men and women in blue.<br />
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I love the clip below from "The Big Interrogation" which aired on February 9, 1967. Almost 50 years old, the description Joe Friday gives of police, detectives, and their lives is powerful, relevant, and should instantly earn a police offer respect.<br />
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There was also the episode "The Big Departure" which aired on March 7, 1968. (In case you're curious, in Dragnet's four seasons "big" was included in 19 other episode titles.) Again, this clip is timeless as so much of it can be applied to today.<br />
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Thanks, Joe, for being on duty.
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<br />Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-3539786674221593092015-08-07T12:41:00.001-04:002015-11-02T17:06:10.970-05:0070 Years Of Doubt?<div>
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70 years ago, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima after Japan refused unconditional surrender in World War II. This decision was also made because more American lives (two or three times more than killed from the bomb) would be lost in an assault on Japan. </div>
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Seeing protests about this makes me shake me head. Protesters have that freedom because of the atomic bomb and the one that followed a few days later. Also, that freedom exists because so many soldiers paid for it in their blood.</div>
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<a name='more'></a>War is hell. It should be the last resort but sometimes it must happen. While it's wise to strive for peace and diplomacy, a nation should be prepared to defend itself. Perhaps these protesters are trying to avoid such destructive weapons from being used. Indeed, everyone loses should nuclear weapons be used.<br />
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But what disturbs me is if some feel there were other options 70 years ago. As if dropping those bombs was a rushed or easy decision or that only military targets should've been chosen. Second guessing is easy to do years removed from a situation.<br />
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History should be a teacher. It should not to be forgotten or ridiculed. Outcomes could possibly have been different but changing history is impossible. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana, <i>The Life of Reason</i>, 1905.<br />
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Unexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.com0