Praying for One Another

“Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God's people. Also pray for me that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret of the Good News without fear.” Ephesians 6:18-19 (NCV)

This morning, I was moved to tears as I watched my 17 year old son, Chase, bring this scripture to life – right before my eyes. We were wrapping up our weekend in San Antonio and getting ready to meet up with some friends in front of The Alamo when we began to hear a man preaching God’s word at the top of his lungs. Loudly! He was standing in the middle of the park, Bible in hand, declaring God’s love for His people. He was dressed as if he had just left the pulpit of a church – and, as you can imagine, the signs of this Texas heat were beginning to show. His slacks and dress shirt looked as if he had jumped in a swimming pool before arriving at the park.

As we listened to this man, we began to talk about the gift of evangelism. I have always been amazed at people called to this kind of bold evangelism. As our conversation continued, my son said that he wanted to go and speak to this man. I looked at him and said, “Really?” – but, before I could get an answer from him, Chase stood up and walked over to the man and began speaking with him.

Then, I watched as my 17 year old son took the hand of this man of God and prayed for him. He began to ask God to strengthen him in his call to share Christ with anyone and everyone who would listen. Needless to say, I was so moved….the tears began to fall. It was amazing. Chase had discovered that this man had been sharing the Good News for 45 years (all over the world)! What an amazing way to end our weekend in San Antonio!

I'm Still Really Confused....

*Let me preface this post by saying I am not an expert in this topic. I am just a frustrated American who is desperately trying to make sense of all the stuff going on around me!

Is it just me? I thought Medicare/Medicaid WAS government run health care? If our government has run this program into the ground, what makes them think they can create a new “government run health care program” and have different results?

The President tells us that if we choose the public plan, we'll still get to choose our doctor and hospital. Well, that’s fine and dandy if your doctor elects to participate in this new program. What happens when your PCP decides that it’s just not worth the hassle and paperwork to get payment and they elect to only accept private insurance and/or cash pay patients?

I had someone call me a few weeks ago asking if the doctor I work for accepts Medicaid and/or Medicaid. My response was “No, ma’am….” Before I could finish my sentence, she began to unload on me telling me that in a few months we were going to have to take Medicaid and/or Medicare “because Obama said so”! (Has anyone else just fallen off their chair laughing hysterically?).

I’ve also heard that the new public health insurance option will always be available to provide you with the health security you need. Really? Isn’t that what they said about Medicaid and Medicare, too?

Drive-Thru Emergency Care

Stanford Clinic is now offering drive-thru emergency care! No burgers, fries or coffee at this drive-thru! Read about it here.

I Hate Bank of America

I will be sending a copy of this post to all of my elected officials....I have had it with credit card companies and banks that take advantage of consumers. It's time it stopped. NOW!

Below is a conversation that transpired between myself and a Bank of America representative. I contacted Bank of America to ask them to lower my interest rate on a credit card that was opened almost 10 years ago – and has not been used in almost 3 years. A few months ago, the interest rate had doubled and I was never given a valid reason for this increase. And, not only did they increase my interest rate – my credit limit has been decreased on this account, too.

ME: I’d like to talk to someone about lowering the interest rate on my credit card?

BoA REP: Ok, let me pull up your account. Ma’am, it seems that we are not able to lower the interest rate on this card right now?

ME: Really? Why is that? I mean, why did my interest rate on this card, which has not been used in almost 3 years, almost double?

BoA REP: Everyone’s interest rate increased because of the economy.

ME: Everyone’s interest rate has almost doubled because of the bad economy?

BoA REP: Yes, ma’am.

ME: That’s odd. My husband has had a BoA credit card for almost 10 years, too. His interest rate is still 12.99% and he never received a letter telling him that his interest rate was increasing to 27.99% or more.

BoA REP: Well, ma’am it seems that you are not paying off your balance quick enough. You are very close to your credit limit and not making much progress on paying down your balance.

ME: Wait a minute. You just told me that the interest rate increase was because of the bad economy. And, did it ever occur to you that had you not DECREASED my credit limit and DOUBLED my interest rate that more progress would have been made on paying down this balance?

BoA REP: I understand your frustration. Would you like to speak to a credit/debt counselor?

ME: No, you do not understand my frustration. And, why would I want to speak to a credit/debt counselor? I have excellent credit and have never been late on a payment to BoA for 10+ years.

BoA REP: Well, they can get some information from you and re-negotiate the interest rate on this card for you. Are you having a hard time making your payments?

ME: Are you kidding me?

BoA REP: No, ma’am. I’d be happy to transfer you to someone that can assist you in lowering the interest rate on this card.

ME: Why can’t I re-negotiate the interest rate myself?

BoA REP: Your credit rating has decreased and you don’t have enough income?

ME: Wait a minute. Let me make sure I understand everything you are telling me. First, you told me that the reason my interest rate doubled was because of the bad economy. Everyone’s rate went up. Then, you told me that it was because I was not paying off the balance quick enough. And then, you tell me that because my credit score had decreased and I did not make enough money….but, you would be happy to let me talk to a credit/debt counselor?

BoA REP: Silence.

ME: Do you people think I just fell off a truck?

BoA REP: Silence.

ME: I would like to close this credit card account, please.

BoA REP: Ma’am, you realize that if you close this account you will be unable to re-negotiate a lower interest rate on this card?

ME: Are you kidding me? Are you even listening to yourself?

BoA REP: Ma’am, is there anything else I can help you with?

ME: Yes, help me understand why BoA thinks consumers are stupid? Why is it that BoA is the ONLY lender who refuses to see that customers like myself are the ones you should be bending over backwards to keep. Customers like me who have never been late on a payment in 10+ years. Customers that lenders would LOVE to have because we have 22 years of excellent credit history. When I contacted Citibank (2 days ago) about my interest rate on a credit card I have with them….they were more than happy to cut the interest rate in HALF and letting me know that it would be effective on the current balance. I was even allowed to close this account and not expected to charge anymore on this card because they lowered the interest rate.

BoA REP: Silence

ME: Guess there is no written script for you to follow at this point, huh?

BoA REP: Silence

ME: Look, I could have been deceptive. I could have told you that my husband lost his job, that our home was in foreclosure….any number of sad stories in order to get you to lower my interest rate. But, I chose to be honest with you. I am not having a hard time making my payments on this card. I would just appreciate some grace and am asking you to please consider lowering the interest rate on this card. It frustrates me to no end that the only way I can get BoA to lower the interest rate on this card is if I have no money to pay my bills. Why is it that those of us who are responsible adults never get a break from you guys?

BoA REP: Ma’am, if you are having a hard time making payments on this account, I will be happy to transfer you to a credit/debt counselor?

ME: Dear, Lord! Do you understand English? Are you even listening to anything I am saying?

BoA REP: Ma’am, is there anything else I can help you with today?

ME: Click.

Junky Car Club

You have to check out the Junky Car Club! I first learned of this organization through Mark Batterson's blog. Mike Foster, founder of this organization, is putting his money where is mouth is.....and making a difference in the lives of others! Be inspired!

"Kelly, You Are Not in High School Anymore!"

I deleted my facebook and twitter account last night. And honestly, I feel as if someone I love has died. Today was the first morning, in a very long time, that I have not gotten out of bed and immediately logged onto facebook. I’m a lot more anxious than I expected to be and I am not quite sure why. I guess my need (or better yet, addiction) for social interaction runs much deeper than I anticipated…more than I am willing to admit. To be honest, it’s a little frightening. Okay, it’s more than a LITTLE frightening.

It all started with a remark Richard made to me last night. I know what you are thinking….but, the word Facebook was not even mentioned. We had been arguing a little that evening and before he went to sleep he said, “Kelly, you are going to be 44 on Sunday. You are not in high school anymore!”. Yikes! Well, if that did not reduce me to tears for an hour or so. I stomped downstairs, with all my hurt feelings intact - and the pity party in full swing - to tell God how mean and hurtful Richard’s remark were to me. Little did I know that God was fixing to give ME a little piece of HIS mind. As I sat there complaining about Richard, God began to reveal a few things about myself. It was not pretty.

In January of this year, I made a decision to quit working full time, and only work 3 days a week. I wanted more time with God, more time catching up with friends who had otherwise been neglected due to my extremely overscheduled life. I wanted to connect with women at a weekly Bible study. I also wanted time to get things done around the house during the week so that my weekends could be spent enjoying time with Richard and Chase – instead of cleaning toilets and doing laundry. Well, unfortunately, these were not the things that began to consume my time at home. It was my laptop that got the increase in face time from me. Facebook. Twitter. The entire social networking craze had consumed my life like a wildfire. And I had not even seen it coming.

What makes this realization even harder to accept is the fact that I see what the social networking craze is doing to people. To families. To marriages. To friendships. Working for a psychiatrist, I have seen people who have an argument with their spouse, find a former boyfriend and/or girlfriend, and before you know it – the marriage is over and they are reliving their high school years. It’s as if the past 10 years just disappeared. And, to make matters even more devastating, they often realize that life is not always greener on the other side. In fact, it can be worse. It’s frightening. I’ve seen patients who are dealing with depression spending every waking moment “connecting online” and they have convinced themselves that this is the same as connecting with people face to face. It’s not. They have disconnected from life. They no longer consider themselves lonely because they “have their friends online”.

I have a friend who is a Christian counselor for many years. I used to ask her why she does not have email. It would make communicating with her friends and family so much easier. Her response to me was, “Because it’s not the same as being able to hear someone’s voice. You can tell a lot about how a person is REALLY doing when you hear their voice.” Wow! This morning, that statement made by my friend, Marty, resonates with an entirely different meaning to me. I get it now.

I am sure that this next season of my life is going to prove to be exciting and interesting….as I learn to unplug from the online world….and plug into what God has planned for me. I know that I will be getting back to writing more (and posting on this blog that I am sure many people have forgotten all about)! Oh well, onward I go....as I allow God to lead!

I am going to be posting at my other blog for awhile....please come visit me at Scribble Therapy!

Need Some Stress Relief....

I can always tell when my days are stressful because the most random thoughts starting popping into my head. Things like “if the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth beeth?”. So, I thought I would write a post that was a little on the humorous side – maybe helping to get everyone’s mind off the stresses of everything that is going on in the world at the moment! Enjoy!

· Have you ever noticed that there is no “apple” or “pine” in “pineapple”?
· “Obganiate” is to irritate someone by constantly repeating oneself.
· “Galeanthropy” is the belief that one is a cat.
· “Bibliophobia” is the fear of books.
· Quicksand only works slowly.
· “kakorrhaphiophobia” is a fear of failure.
· The first person you see after leaving your house is called a “qualtagh”.
· “Steatopygic” means “having a fat behind”.
· Someone who eats frogs is called a “batrachophagous”.
· “Asdfasdfasdf” is a common keyboard mashing similar to “jkjkjkjkj".
· “blennophobia” is the fear of slime.
· “rectalgia” is a pain in the butt.
· “rinkomania” is an obsession with skating.

Some of my favorite “oxymorons”:

· Adult children
· Alone together
· Jumbo shrimp
· Pretty ugly
· Clearly confused
· Rolling stop
· Old news
· Blank expression
· Random order
· Second best
· Front end

Looking for a Cat....or Husband?

Funny Obits

I have a strange favorite pastime. I love to read the obituaries. Not to see who has died, but I am always curious how family & friends word the death notices of loved ones. For example, one of the most popular death notices is probably “Jane Doe passed away 01/01/90”. But, every now and then, I run across one that is hysterical (and sometimes just downright unbelievable).

Here are a few of my favorites:

· Jane Doe completed her long journey to be with Savior….

· John Doe was summoned to appear before his Judge….

· Jane Doe died after all her breath leaked out….(I had to read this one again to make sure I read it correctly.)

· Jane Doe departed Dallas to be with her Lord….(Yes, Dallas!)

· John Doe died peacefully from a brain aneurysm ….(This does not sound like a “peaceful” way to go – but, maybe I am wrong!)

· Jane Doe changed her address…(I wonder, will the post office forward her mail?)

· John Doe expired….(I’ve always wondered if there was a “sell by date” stamped somewhere on our earthly bodies.)

· Jane Doe passed away quietly….(What a relief to know they were not kicking and screaming anyone just before dying.)

· John Doe sailed his final voyage to Heaven….

· Jane Doe departed this stage of existence…

So, now I am curious, have you read a death notice that made you laugh a little (okay, alot)? If so, please let me know so I can add it to my list!

Parenting - Pick Your Battles

When our son entered middle school, the clothing wars began. Attending a private school, we were fortunate not to have the “what am I going to wear today” battles – it was all uniform, baby! But, when he hit middle school, and the social calendar began to get booked, the importance of his “weekend clothes” became the center of our world. When he announced that he wanted to wear the baggy jeans, I immediately said, “NO WAY!”. I absolutely hate that look! There is nothing attractive about guys walking around holding their pants up with one hand – but, making sure that they can still be falling off just enough for everyone to see that they are wearing lime green boxer shorts with hot pink skulls on them!

After a few days of arguing about the baggy jeans – God began to show me some things. First, what was bothering me the most was not just the fact that this look was so stinkin’ sloppy – it was more that I did not want my son to be associated with “the type of people who dress this way”. I was scared. What would people think? What if he got involved in drugs, alcohol…hanging with the wrong kids? Admit it, we all assume that if a person dresses a certain way – they must act (or think) that way. How many times have we walked down the street and judged someone because of the way they are dressed….especially teenagers! We wonder what kind of parents would dare let their child out of the house dressed like that!

Later that week, we decided to “pick our battle”. We sat our son down and told him that we would allow him to get a pair of those baggy jeans AND wear them….but, there were 2 rules. First, he could not wear them so baggy that we were able to see his underwear. No exceptions! Second, the moment that the character and core being of who he is in Christ began to change….game over! Period.

Let me tell you what I learned. The entire time my son wanted to wear those baggy jeans – his personality and character never changed. He was the same kid he was when he was wearing his school uniform. The fad passed (thank you, Jesus!). Of course, there were other battles just on the horizon. We began to apply the concept of “as long as it does not change the character and core being of who you are in Christ” to everything. It made it much easier for us to allow Chase the freedom to begin to express himself, and was a reminder to him the importance of remaining true to himself and to God.

We learned that when we chose to pick our battles , we had more energy to fight the battles that really matter! Those battles that begin to comprise our children’s character and core being of who they are in Christ! Those are the battles we need to be fighting!