I am off to Mexico for a dental holiday. I'm thinking of making a documentary of my trip for either television or film. Medical tourism is a multi trillion dollar industry as people from all over America scramble to find affordable treatment. Join me on my journey which I will be blogging over the next three weeks.
I'm leaving at 9:10 am this morning.
Psalm 9
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Death of the Son.” 1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. 2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
3 My enemies retreated; they staggered and died when you appeared. 4 For you have judged in my favor; from your throne you have judged with fairness. 5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have erased their names forever. 6 The enemy is finished, in endless ruins; the cities you uprooted are now forgotten.
7 But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. 8 He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. 9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.
11 Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem.[a] Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. 12 For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.
13 Lord, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death. 14 Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.
15 The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set. 16 The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds. Quiet Interlude[b]
17 The wicked will go down to the grave.[c] This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God. 18 But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.
19 Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Judge the nations! 20 Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let the nations know they are merely human.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
I was reading Proverbs 2 today and was struck by verses 9-11. I wrote them out on my monthly Bible reading plan. It is amazing that knowledge can fill you with joy. I'm praying for that today myself along with some other things.
Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom
1 My child,[a] listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. 13 These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. 14 They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. 15 Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong.
16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. 17 She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. 18 Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave.[b] 19 The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.
20 Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. 21 For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. 22 But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.
Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom
1 My child,[a] listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. 13 These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. 14 They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. 15 Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong.
16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. 17 She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. 18 Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave.[b] 19 The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.
20 Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. 21 For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. 22 But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Proverbs 1
The Purpose of Proverbs 1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance 6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom 8 My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.
10 My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! 11 They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! 12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave[b]; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. 13 Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. 14 Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.”
15 My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths. 16 They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. 17 If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. 18 But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. 19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.
Wisdom Shouts in the Streets
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. 21 She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: 22 “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? 23 Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.
24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. 25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. 26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.
28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. 29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. 30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. 31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. 32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. 33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom
1 My child,[c] listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. 13 These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. 14 They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. 15 Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong.
16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. 17 She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. 18 Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave.[d] 19 The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.
20 Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. 21 For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. 22 But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.
The Purpose of Proverbs 1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance 6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom 8 My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.
10 My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! 11 They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! 12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave[b]; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. 13 Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. 14 Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.”
15 My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths. 16 They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. 17 If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. 18 But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. 19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.
Wisdom Shouts in the Streets
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. 21 She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: 22 “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? 23 Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.
24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. 25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. 26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.
28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. 29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. 30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. 31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. 32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. 33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom
1 My child,[c] listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. 13 These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. 14 They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. 15 Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong.
16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. 17 She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. 18 Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave.[d] 19 The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.
20 Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. 21 For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. 22 But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
For anyone interested in going to San Miguel, Mexico check out this fabulous blog I found. http://fallinginlovewithsanmiguel.com/profile.html
Psalm 4
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude 3 You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude 5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.
6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. 7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude 3 You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude 5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.
6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. 7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Just checked out Flicker and here is the link to some incredible pictures of San Miguel.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=san+miguel+mexico&ss=0&ct=0&page=2
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=san+miguel+mexico&ss=0&ct=0&page=2
This is my gift to you today, joy.
Watch this video and smile, especially if you like to dance. I dare you not to smile!
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080722.html
Watch this video and smile, especially if you like to dance. I dare you not to smile!
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080722.html
I want to wish everyone who reads my blog a happy, healthy, peaceful, blessed and contented year.
I am exploring Elder Cohousing Options. San Miguel, Mexico could be the next location.
Check out these new ideas and tell me your thoughts.
From the Elder Cohousing Org page:
http://www.eldercohousing.org/
Helpful Resources
The Cohousing Association of the United States - This national non-profit has been supporting the development of cohousing communities since 1997. Coho/US maintains an extensive website and publishes a monthly e-zine.
Elder Cohousing YahooGroup - This moderated group is open to current Elder Cohousing residents, members of forming groups, senior housing and aging related organizations, development and healthcare professionals who are actively involved in creating an Elder Cohousing community.
The Green House Project is a self-contained dwelling for seven to 10 people that is designed to look like a private home or apartment in the surrounding community. Each person who lives in a Green House has their own bedroom and full bathroom. Each Green House must have a central hearth with an adjacent open kitchen and dining area, and short halls with access to the hearth. There is a common eating area and living room area (both easily accessible from the private bedrooms), and residents can share meals together around a common table. Family members, friends and workers are welcome to join residents at mealtimes and during other activities.
The Pioneer Network advocates and facilitates deep system change in our culture of aging. Pioneers are working toward transformational change by both evolutionary and revolutionary means, using Pioneer values and principles as the foundations for person-directed care. The practice of person-directed care offers a relationship-based, values-driven alternative to the out of sight, out of mind institutional model that has plagued the system for decades. The movement is about promoting household living environments – in congregate settings as well as in home and community-based services – where elders and direct care workers are able to express choice in meaningful ways.
Second Journey - Second Journey supports the development of new models of community that explore and celebrate what it means to give one's gifts in the second half of life. Through its regional Visioning Council initiative, the North Carolina-based nonprofit brings together architects, developers, educators, activists, practitioners, writers and visionaries to generate creative new ideas and sustainable residential solutions for living, learning and social change in the 21st century.
Vital Aging Network - Based in Minneapolis, MN, is a group of individuals who are sharing their strengths to promote and support the self-sufficiency, community participation, and quality of life of older adults. The Vital Aging Network is creating a shared vision of communities that are good places for people to grow up and grow old.
Retirement Communities U.S. - Is a website which emphasize in-filling, smart growth and sustainable development in small “senior squares” that could be build within larger college and university communities. Their goal is to share information about places to retire and to share resources and experiences in planning and developing pre-existing or new communities in urban, college or other culturally vital areas.
Senior Cooperative Foundation - Cooperatively owned senior housing provides full apartment and townhouse living, controlled by the seniors themselves. All financial benefits accrue to the senior owners, including return of equity upon resale. Tax deductibility of mortgage interest and real estate taxes, identical to single-family homeownership, applies to cooperative ownership.
I am exploring Elder Cohousing Options. San Miguel, Mexico could be the next location.
Check out these new ideas and tell me your thoughts.
From the Elder Cohousing Org page:
http://www.eldercohousing.org/
Helpful Resources
The Cohousing Association of the United States - This national non-profit has been supporting the development of cohousing communities since 1997. Coho/US maintains an extensive website and publishes a monthly e-zine.
Elder Cohousing YahooGroup - This moderated group is open to current Elder Cohousing residents, members of forming groups, senior housing and aging related organizations, development and healthcare professionals who are actively involved in creating an Elder Cohousing community.
The Green House Project is a self-contained dwelling for seven to 10 people that is designed to look like a private home or apartment in the surrounding community. Each person who lives in a Green House has their own bedroom and full bathroom. Each Green House must have a central hearth with an adjacent open kitchen and dining area, and short halls with access to the hearth. There is a common eating area and living room area (both easily accessible from the private bedrooms), and residents can share meals together around a common table. Family members, friends and workers are welcome to join residents at mealtimes and during other activities.
The Pioneer Network advocates and facilitates deep system change in our culture of aging. Pioneers are working toward transformational change by both evolutionary and revolutionary means, using Pioneer values and principles as the foundations for person-directed care. The practice of person-directed care offers a relationship-based, values-driven alternative to the out of sight, out of mind institutional model that has plagued the system for decades. The movement is about promoting household living environments – in congregate settings as well as in home and community-based services – where elders and direct care workers are able to express choice in meaningful ways.
Second Journey - Second Journey supports the development of new models of community that explore and celebrate what it means to give one's gifts in the second half of life. Through its regional Visioning Council initiative, the North Carolina-based nonprofit brings together architects, developers, educators, activists, practitioners, writers and visionaries to generate creative new ideas and sustainable residential solutions for living, learning and social change in the 21st century.
Vital Aging Network - Based in Minneapolis, MN, is a group of individuals who are sharing their strengths to promote and support the self-sufficiency, community participation, and quality of life of older adults. The Vital Aging Network is creating a shared vision of communities that are good places for people to grow up and grow old.
Retirement Communities U.S. - Is a website which emphasize in-filling, smart growth and sustainable development in small “senior squares” that could be build within larger college and university communities. Their goal is to share information about places to retire and to share resources and experiences in planning and developing pre-existing or new communities in urban, college or other culturally vital areas.
Senior Cooperative Foundation - Cooperatively owned senior housing provides full apartment and townhouse living, controlled by the seniors themselves. All financial benefits accrue to the senior owners, including return of equity upon resale. Tax deductibility of mortgage interest and real estate taxes, identical to single-family homeownership, applies to cooperative ownership.
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