the Centrist

The other Bill B sends us this most profound of the week:

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 hours in a day is not enough;
remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cans of beer.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly,
he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and start to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again
if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand
and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded
With an unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things – family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions
Things that if everything else was lost
and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else —
The small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued,
‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are
important to you.

So…

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time
to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.

‘Take care of the golf balls first —
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’

One of the students raised her hand
and inquired what the beer represented.

The professor smiled.

‘I’m glad you asked’.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there’s always room for a couple of cans of beer with a friend.’

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PatnJim Sends Us this Info:

For your info. In yesterdays paper in Eugene, OR. It said Craig
Robinson has signed a new contract for 2 years with Oregon State
University to coach basketball.

What a great country we live in.

Some have said that the stimulus hasn’t saved any jobs, but here is a
case where at least one job was saved.

According to an unnamed source, Oregon State University Athletic
Director Bob DeCarolis was considering firing their basketball coach,
Craig Robinson, after an 8-11 start (2-5 in the Pac 10 conference).

When word of this reached Washington , Undersecretary of Education
Martha Kanter was dispatched to Corvallis with $17 million in stimulus
Money for the university. The source now says that Craig Robinson’s job
Is safe for this year. For the record, Coach Robinson just happens to
Be Michelle Obama’s Brother.

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The Jamestown Patti sent the next two:

I am an Italian American

My roots are deep in an ancient soil, drenched by the Mediterranean sun, and watered by pure streams from snow capped mountains.

I am enriched by thousands of years of culture.

My hands are those of the mason, the artist, the man of the soil.

My thoughts have been recounted in the annals of Rome , the poetry of Virgil, the creations of Dante, and the philosophy of Benedetto Croce.

I am an Italian-American, and from my ancient world, I first spanned the seas to the New World. I am Cristoforo Colombo.

I am Giovanne Caboto known in American History as John Cabot, discoverer of the mainland of North America.

I am Amerigo Vespucci, who gave my name to the New World , America

First to sail on the Great Lakes in 1679, founder of the territory that became the State of Illinois , colonizer of Louisiana and Arkansas,
I am Enrico Tonti.

I am Filippo Mazzei friend of Thomas Jefferson, and my thesis on the equality of man was written into the Bill of Rights.

I am William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

I am an Italian-American; I financed the Northwest Expedition of George Rogers Clark and accompanied him through the lands that would become Ohio , Indiana , Wi sconsin and Michigan . I am Colonel Francesco Vigo.

I mapped the Pacific from Mexico to Alaska and to the Philippines , I am Alessandro Malaspina.

I am Giacomo Belinimi, discoverer of the source of the Mississippi River in 1823.

I created the Dome of the United States Capitol. They call me the Michelangelo of America. I am Constantino Brumidi.

In 1904, I founded in San Francisco , the Bank of Italy now known as the Bank of America, the largest financial institution in the
world, I am A.P. Giannini.

I am Enrico Fermi, father of nuclear science in America .

I am Steve Geppi, founder of Diamond Comics, the largest distributorship of comics on the planet.

I am the first enlisted man to earn the Medal of Honor in World War II; I am John Basilone of New Jersey .

I am an Italian-American.

I am the million strong who served in America ‘s armies and the tens of thousands whose names are enshrined in military cemeteries from Guadalcanal to the Rhine.

I am the steel maker in Pittsburgh , the grower in the Imperial Valley of California, the textile designer in Manhattan , the movie maker in Hollywood , the homemaker and the breadwinner in over 10,000 communities.

I am an American without stint or reservation, loving this land as only one who understands history, its agonies and is triumphs can love and serve it.

I will not be told that my contribution is any less nor my role not as worthy as that of any other American.

I will stand in support of this nation’s freedom and protect against all foes.

My heritage has dedicated me to this nation. I am proud of my heritage, and I shall remain worthy of it.

I am an Italian-American.

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Wither you believe or not, this makes sense. Lets all try to have a new day!

God’s Cake

Sometimes we wonder, “What did I do to deserve this?” or “Why did God have to do this to me?” Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she’s failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, “Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.”
“Here, have some cooking oil,” her Mother offers.
“Yuck” says her daughter.
“How about a couple raw eggs?” “Gross, Mom!”
“Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?”

“Mom, those are all yucky!”
To which the mother replies: “Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! ”
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
If you like this, send this on to the people you really care about.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance..

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Prayer
Please pray for the family of Nicole Gaulin (Fiegel) who was killed in a car accident last week. Nicole was a lifelong neighbor and former patient. She was, as my kids always said, simply a sweet heart. I personally have never heard a negative word about her… She left behind two young daughters and will be sorely missed. Nicole was in her mid thirties.
Family of Jerry Rickard, an old high school friend, who passed away last week.
Carmen – young lady with lung cancer drop her a note if you wish, her blog spot is:

http://carmennotes.blogspot.com/

Update: From Tricia: Thought everyone would want to know Carmen is HOME! She’s been home a few days and is taking calls. We rejoice with her and please keep her in your prayers.
Daughter of Dr. Tim’s pastor is missing, very suspicious circumstances… please pray. No update, please keep praying.
Grandson Scott, proud member of the US Marines, has been deployed. We do not know where he is presently, likely in battle… please pray for him… should you like to drop him a line of encouragement let me know and I will send you his e-mail. Please pray for his safety. Our granddaughter in-law heard from him last week… at that time he was okay.
Please continue to pray for the family of Steve Broadwell, a neighbor and friend who was tragically killed in a propane explosion. He is survived by his Mom, wife, and 3 adult children.
Nephew Brandon’s friend, Alisha, who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor

Adrian’s friend who is missing in Mexico
Good friend and fellow dentist from our community In NY, AJ, had career ending surgery on his spine. Pray for success and rapid recovery. He suffers from the same malady that disabled me. No update.
Pray for Wanda who lost her mother and brother recently.
Continue to pray for Cailf. Clint … that he gets called soon with a match for liver transplant
Prayer for Fredonia Pattie’s cousin… healing and the wisdom, to pick the right treatment option … no update
G W financial problems
DG financial problems and unemployed (is now working)
Gary W undergoing radiation treatments for prostate cancer
Donovan severe anemia is responding to med
Rita H surgery for hernia and is recovering
Judy C chemo and hip surgery
From California Clint on behalf of his friend Jerry”
Please pray for Jerry’s wife Becky for strength and wisdom as both her brother and a nephew are suffering from accelerated aggressive cancer.
Please continue to pray for Mary C, as her cancer has returned
Our troops in Afghanistan as they are in the midst of battle
Continue to pray for:
Donavan’s father Derrick with heart disease
The people of Haiti
The people of Chili
Safety for troops
Please continue to pray for the Family of Harold L who recently passed away (especially two of my favorite students, his youngest children: Shaughn and Siobhan)
Answered Prayer: Baby Camdyn continues to recover but please keep her in in prayer for strength. As you know she came through her first surgery with flying colors , thanks in no small part to your prayer! But remember she will need even a more serious surgery any time now.

Cousin Dick (Jamestown Patti’s brother) cancer of prostate… radiation treatment is underway, while we’re praying include Jamestown Patti she is the main caregiver and both her and Dick are disabled… no update.
Close friend Norma W passed away after long illness… please continue to pray for family and husband Chuck
Brother Vince, heart and circulation issues bypass and stint surgery needed and upcoming

Brother Mike, high blood pressure
Krisher family for loss of son Jon
DK stress
Sue intestinal disease… she is trying medication rather than this serious surgery… so far she is responding, please keep praying
Please pray for our troops and especially the victims of Islamist Terrorism
Jamestown Patti’s special family Steven’s Johnson Syn. little 7 yr. old girl

Blogger Clint having problems with liver toxicity… may need transplant, please pray.
Our nation, our President, our Congress, our courts… to put the people before their ideology

TD for special intention

Kairos Torch for juveniles is a Christian outreach to troubled youth. Please pray that Kairos Torch will become reality in NY.

Close family friend Brenda… has been diagnosed with MS and has lost her job… no update

AE for strength to face his dilemma

TD gainful employment
Bless and pray for our service men and women as they seem to have fewer and fewer options as they deal with a mortal enemy.

wdb prostate problems continue

Continue to pray for missionary Bergman’s as they lost their wife and mother this past year

Maria – diabetes is critical. She had a skin and muscle biopsy and suspect small nerve neuropathy. Please continue to pray no change in her condition.

Clint: to find his son in Viet Nam and have the opportunity to present salvation to him.
Pastor Neil S. (long time close friend and prayer partner) pray for God’s Will in his ministry. A possible opening in a local church or continued success in his present ministries…

Niece Rhonda and strength for her new career and job

Brother Les is about the same, but he continues to have a Godly attitude. Yet the burden continues to be heavy on both he and Valarie. Please keep both Val and Les in prayer… such a faithful couple and a reminder, these are Camdyn’s grandparents!

Transplants: Good Friend Keith – liver, Brother Pat – liver, Good Friend Jim – kidney … please keep praying for their well being; they all are doing well as of this printing

Sister Jane, Brenda, Cousins Jan and Karen for strength… all are suffering from MS.

Unity for our family

Tom H and Marilyn for RSD
Tolerance, Christ’s Love, and understanding for our families, friends, and enemies

Bonnie Erbie (author accusing Christians of being knuckle draggers), prayer for salvation.

Pray for wisdom and spiritual guidance in rearing children for our family as well as the renewal of the nuclear family; pray that marriage stays as one man, one woman, but rights are extended to same gender unions.

Pray for truth in education… i.e. AIDS, abortion, evolution, American History, and Man Made Global Warming

Pray for our troops each evening at 9:00 pm. every night … pray that America wakes up to evil before it is too late

Pray for Nephews John in the Navy and grandson Scott a Marine.
Prayer for healthy and safe births: Meg; Melissa had baby girl, Kassilyn also had baby girl.

Prayer partners John and Ron and family.
Please continue to pray for health issues for five of our nieces and Marilyn.
Pastors: Dan, John, Tom, Lyell, Steve D, Ben, Estes, Gail, Sam, Whittikers, Neil, and Steve T for their ministries, ease of stress, and courage to spread the gospel; wisdom for all leadership at Yates, Greater Toledo 1st Baptist,
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Billy Graham’s Prayer For Our Nation:

‘Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!’

Yates Baptist Sunday School :

Marilyn L had a heart attack … her surgery (bypass and valve) was successful and she has had a setback and still has fluid on her lung, and to return to Buffalo hospital for more treatment (mother of Karen B). She is having a difficult time moving. No change.

Jacob (5 year old) has psoriasis, and has improved but still an issue, please continue to pray… he is improving

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing