Burky's Blog

Dear Anthony;

Thanks so much for your forgiveness.  You don't know how much it means to me (and yourself) that you forgave me fully and freely.  It is good to know there are others who want to do what is right by believing in Jesus enough to obey His commandments.  Never mind the dangers of forgiveness and how it may trigger the influence to your life negatively.  We just want to do what is right, so thus you forgave me for disturbing your beloved sleep at the ungodly hour.  You even forgave me as far as inviting me to continue in touch with you by fax, which wouldn't happen anymore.

Thanks also for sharing your thoughts, your interpretations of the Bible.  I am glad that you felt free and open enough to share with me thus far. 

Concerning your thoughts, you are right.  It is not my place to judge you or condemn your interpretations.  In fact, there are many other verses that Mennonites have used to support their reason to outlaw TV and radio ownership.  Like for example, "redeeming the time for the days are evil."

As much as I wish, I cannot recall references to where in the Bible that says or support my thoughts.  Even then, I assure you that you are very likely to be familiar to those same verses.

My favorite verse is John 10:10b: I am come that you may have life and that you may have it more abundantly.  It is my pursuit for happiness and seeing what brings lasting happiness.  I have tried everything, but never ignore the fact that the Bible is authentic.  I never once wavered that the Bible is the Truth.  After I return to States from Belize, I put my Christianity on the "back burner", because I want to know why non-Christians don't take fancy to Christian living.  I also observed that if Jesus died once, why does my Christian life continue to fail?  Why do I keep going from holy excitement to fleshly desires, or vice versa, at intervals? 

I love reading, and am often thankful for the mentality I came up with in defiance to my dad's reasoning.  My dad once said that deaf people know only 50% of what hearing people know.  I hate to think that I don't know enough.  His explanation is that you hear so many things and you do learn by hearing.  I am now finding the truth in that statement, but that is not the point here.  The point was, that very remark drives me to get my hands on everything and read anything regardless how boring it may be.  I read some psychology and find them bit hard to understand.

Then after reading the book, Secret of Their Strength, I suddenly got aware of things that I had missed before.  I wonder many times if most Plain People have missed the whole meaning of that book, simply because of flawed Hutterite theology.  The way it ends sure make me think.

Let me run you through few quizzes.  Consider the split between Amish and Mennonites.  Try to think of any church problems you know of.  I personally live with Eddie Slabaugh through the time when Pleasant Valley faced some difficulty, and when Ivan Shank moved elsewhere.  There must be enough differences in Fellowship churches that inspire Aden Gingerich of Farmington to expound us at Messiah Bible School about looking at the perfect law of liberty. 

Have you ever wonder why church problems appear?  Is there a way we can avoid those problems?  Is it possible when the interpretations of the Bible becomes the desired standard of the church?  Why is so many people leaving church these days?  We felt like we are living at the last days.  I instinctively feel that we are, so I felt urge to help people see what was the problem.

Recently I had a debate with an atheist.  I couldn't help but saw the problem in our own churches.  His exact words: "But they also forgets that what the Bible says and what their interpretations of the Bible is not same thing.  Oh goody. My point exactly. But if people misinterpret the work, it shows the incomptency of the Author. (especially an allpowerful one)"

That was his reply to my remarks as followed: "If you, Daniel, as a atheist, became atheist because of Christianity being inconsistent and disunited, I am curious if that is true to all other atheists in the world. And I wonder what would happened to them if all Christians suddenly decided to become united, recognizing that the basics of their beliefs are really all same.

I am a Christian and I often get pissed off when I hear about church splits or other unhappiness or negativity even in Christian world. No doubt, God feels the same. I agreed with you that is why so many people felt that Christianity isn't the answer, because of what is happening in the real world.

It boils to this that not everyone thinks the insides and the outs of everything. Too many Christians became legalistic and point out that the Bible say this and that, but forgets that the Jesus Himself did say that He is the cornerstone of the church, the author and the finisher of our faith, so to look elsewhere would be foolish. It is true that Christians would also believe that the Bible and Jesus are One, but they also forgets that what the Bible says and what their interpretations of the Bible is not same thing."

So, Anthony, how do you feel about the incompetency of the Author?  You and I are taught differently than that.  We believe in God and that He create the world.  We believe in his Supremacy and Sovereignty, and that He never make mistakes.  So what is happening to us?  Why do that athiest felt that our religion is flawed?

Maybe you would like to consider the following thoughts from the Bible.  "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (things of this world).  Much of the church problems come from applying the Bible to our everyday life, right?  "They that gather not in My name shall be scattered board."  Much of the church problems come from focusing on the Bible and what it may means in our every life, right?  Is there any church problem concerning that the Jesus "is the Way, the Life, and the Truth; and no man shall go to Father but by" Him? 

Maybe you want to know my favorite last words to that atheist.  "So in the end, you felt that we Christians are flawed, because of evidence in disunity and because of evidence that you instinctively felt that being a Christian should be better than that!  Wow, the power of truth! Wouldn't it be nice if you and I would go out and prove it that it can be done?"

I was reading the book last evening and I was too excited to sleep.

Or maybe it has to do with that tea I drank.  I drank three cups of that tea.  I would have to check if that tea is loaded with sugar or high fructose corn syrup.  I read on Internet recently that high fructose corn syrup is the worse food to take, if you are trying to lose weight, especially if you have family history of diabetics.  They talks about pre-diabetics.  I wonder if I have that.

I was reading that book, How to Find Your Way Back Home.  Interesting, that book have same ideas I have when I thought of writing a book, Universal Eternal Truths.  Only that author is not afraid to talk about God and quote Scriptures.  She did begin the book, though, that she is not presenting a new religion, but rather a new way of looking at life.

I couldn't help but remember my past.

I recently have been thinking that while I was in Belize, I want to have more "S" personality.  Now I am thinking I want to have more "D" personality.  After all, it is outgoing personality that get the most blessings.

But right now I gotta go work.  I woke up late this morning, and it looks like I won't have time for a prayer.

When did I write this?!  It is August 23!  Tomorrow, I remember it is Sharon Eby's birthday.  Best wishes on her as well as her wedding anniversary with Karl Eby.  How many years would they be married?

I remember that August 26 is Esther Eby's birthday.  August 31 is Susan Leid's birthday.  Does those names sound unfamiliar?  Well, it is easier to remember that Esther Eby was Esther Petre and Susan Leid was Susan Burkholder.

I just wrote a farewell letter to my fax readers.  No longer will I use MyFax program.  Email will be all I use, plus online chatting.

Oh my I just wrote off my steam.  I don't feel like sitting at computer, especially since it is not my computer.

Maybe I will write more later....


--
Omar Burkholder

Email: deafdemophile@gmail.com
Fax: 1-888-580-1767

Dear Friends;

First of all, I apologize for the last mistake I have done.  I didn't "measure twice and cut once" when it comes to doing stuff on Internet.  I got an email from my friend, a sister to Amy: some of you may know Leon and Amy Hoover.  I was curious to see what that email was all about, and in process of getting to it, I got my email contact list and then go on the next step.  Unfortunately, I have to download the program, which I don't want to do, as I am using my roommate's computer at this point as my computer is giving me so much trouble.

Since my mistakes with Reunion and Avatar Chat (IMVU), I noticed that I keep sending faxes, because it is part of my email contact list.  I thought about that was ridiculous, because people who have faxes generally don't have internet access at their home.  And I also thought about the original reason why I got MyFax.  I really like that program, but I did feel that fax is becoming part of our history.  Everyone today has gone into computers, so what's point of using fax?  Only old-fashioned would.  Even both of my sisters got email now, and my family isn't faxing me much, at least not to worth spending $10 monthly on.  Almost no one fax to me anymore, so I am thinking of cutting off MyFax.

So that fax number I gave you before wouldn't work from now on.  If you want to fax to me, use my home's fax number: 717-445-4866.  Of course, that means you would pay to fax, but it is often one dollar or so...even less.  What I really wish for is "One Number Fit All" thing.  Since so many technological advances revolves around computers, I like the idea of putting everything into one tool: computer.  Phone, TDD calls, Faxes, email, and so forth.  It is obvious the way things are going, TDD and faxes are going extinct, only to be kept alive by those who oppose to Internet or some old fashioned senior citizens.

Because this is too early to wish Merry Christmas, as I like to do every Christmas, I decided to write my last thoughts.  It is my wish that the following thoughts would be preached at my funeral, so my legacy can lives on.  And that God may be glorified in me.

(Of course, I am sending this to those with email, basically because I want them to know the following thoughts as well.  You would find this on my blog http://deafdemophile.blogspot.com or in my notes on my Facebook.)

First and foremost: what the Bible says is what it says--nothing more, nothing less.  One old man have a plate embellished on his Bible cover saying, "God said it!  I believe it!  That settles it!"  All of you Christians would want to make same bold affirmations.  It is interesting how so many people who read the Bible with an open mind often arrives to the similar conclusions. 

Like for example, I once had a discussion with a girl who says she is not Mennonite hence the reason why she don't wear veiling.  I simply ask her to take notes of 1 Corinthians 11 without using any help of other's interpretations, using only Strong's Concordance and other verses in the Bible to help her study that chapter.  Her notes got back to me and she admitted that she never knew that the Bible did say the women should wear headship veiling.  Shortly after handing me her notes, she ask her pastor about that chapter, and he told her that is a cultural thing.  He says we should read the Bible in historical setting, not in today's settings.

Unfortunately, there are some people who didn't really know Biblical history, and surely God is omniscient enough to think that far, so He would have His Word written for everyone in mind.  He would make His Word simple; that it should says what it says.

My mother taught me to think that whatever the preacher preaches, it is word of God.  Today, I realize that is an erroneous approach.  It is almost like putting preachers on pedestal while they are fallible humans just like us.  I am not saying we should denounce whatever they felt led to say in the pulpit, but what I am strongly encourage everyone to take any other book and any sermons, using Bible as a filter.  No one read the Bible with the comprehension like you do, so what your interpretations of what the Bible says only applies to you alone, no one else.  To force your interpretations of the Bible on other people is utter foolishness, because you are human and you can make mistakes.  Not only that, your personality and your whole being is unique that there is absolutely no one else exactly like you.  No one views life and understands things exactly like you do.  No one have exactly same experiences like you do.  You are you, period.  Thanks to Tobias Hoover for influencing my viewpoint in this point.

That's why I felt it is dangerous for anyone to favor doctrines and interpretations of any specific group.  Like for example, using only Rod and Staff's Sunday School books instead of Christian Light Publication's Sunday School books.  I am not saying one is better than other, because that would be lying.  What I am saying is everyone should take any Christian books with equal approach.  What any book tells you is that author's interpretations, viewpoints, and/or experiences, and we must not forget that any book other than the Bible is just that--a book.  Reading it may color our views and our interpretations of the Bible, and may bring awareness that there are other ways to explain something, like some Bible verse.

Thanks to Messiah Bible School for having classes about how we should study the Bible.  That and Tobias Hoover's advice also got me to this point too.  Also special thanks to John Dan Burkholder for loaning me good books and sharing me his viewpoints that influence my thinking.

True, there are some things in the Bible that is hard for us to understand.  We have freedom to ask others for opinions or read a book on that subject.  At the same time, we must never ever forget that their interpretations may help us to understand that certain thing, we must hold on to that interpretations loosely until we are firmly convinced that interpretations are correct.

After all, we don't want to be guilty of Revelations 22:18-19.

There are only two driving forces in this world.  God and Satan.  Creator and created being.  Original and counterfeit.  Father of truth and father of lies.  Winner and loser.  Positive and negative.  Good and bad.  Light and dark.  White and black.  For Jesus and against Christ.  Love and hate.  Hot and cold.  Joy and thrill.  Lasting gratification (blessed) and instant gratification (cursed).  Faith and fear.  Selfless (giver) and selfish (taker).  Dream maker and dream breaker.  It makes it easier for us to make right choices, if we have that mindset.

After all, if you look at the Bible in the whole closely, you would notice that too.  Early on, in Genesis, we see God created everything good and then comes Satan.  Man have to choose between two of them.  He choose wrongly and suddenly all bad things happened to him.  We should be aware all the bad things happened today was because we choose wrongly.  DID I GET YOUR ATTENTION?  ALL OF THEM!  That includes church splits, disagreements, and so on.  The Bible ends with two destinies.

The Bible repeatedly told us to live boldly.  We have nothing to fear.  If you think about it, you would noticed that if you are doing right thing, you feel good afterwards.  Sometimes you have to go to work, but don't feel like it?  And then you noticed that eventually, your feelings caught up with you and you didn't feel that work is so bad after all?  That tells us that work is good.

You feel like seething at someone, but practices acts of love toward that person.  Then you feel good.  You are blessed.

You keep getting bad things coming your way, but you knew God forgave you completely.  You continue to believe that God forgave you and you keep doing what is right.  The tide will change and all good things will come your way.

God told us that Christian living isn't easy, but He also say the way of transgressor is hard.  The tone of such connotations obviously means that we have to counteract the bad.  It would be easy to go with the flow, but it would make life more unblessed later on.

The Bible spoke about self-denial.  We sometimes have to deny ourselves to serve others, but if it makes us unhappy, then why continue?  We don't want to be more unblessed.  What would work for one person wouldn't work for next person.  My sisters have to put up with wearing bonnets as required by their church, and it is very annoying to hearing aid user.  With bonnet, it makes the hearing aids squeal and drowns out the noises they don't want to miss out, including the conversations they want to be part of.  That is what I noticed about all plain churches today.  Their regulations get voted or decided based on the majority: the people who can hear, walk, and see.  And yet they talk about they felt the Holy Spirit led them to make such church rules.  Now don't you see the very inconsistencies?  A church may allow listening to CDs, but don't allow DVDs; which means a hearing can have his pleasure while deaf may miss out.  That's why I stressed that the Bible's interpretations are for you alone, not for you to force on other person.

There are so many churches out there that believe in Jesus Christ and that he is the Savior of the world.  Yet their members wouldn't share the remembrance of Jesus' death with other church members.  What does that tells us?  It means that the church is more important than Jesus Himself.  Remember: "The nearer to church, the farther from God" 

If everyone would think positively and encourage others to think positively, this world would be a better place.  After all, didn't John stressed many times the importance of love?  God is love and good.

If there are anything that make you wonder if it is good, do it anyway.  John did say in 1 John 4:1 that we are to try the spirits.  How do we know if we don't try?  Joseph Wenger didn't try cars, so he created a church split.  Today, we know that Christians in Weaverland Conference aren't much different than Christians in Groffdale Conference.  Today we know that owning or disowning car didn't make one a better person.  It is a matter of preference.  Yet they wouldn't share the remembrance of Jesus' death.

On other hand, Weaverland Conference split from Lancaster Conference over few points and one of them is Sunday School.  It is interesting to notice today that churches that have Sunday School have better morals than those who don't.  Bible awareness and knowledge help keep us conscious of how to live.  The Bible didn't say anything about Sunday School, so how would we of mid to late 1800's know that there is anything wrong with it (or good with it)?

If you point out that there are churches with Sunday School that have young people doing wrong things, it is not Sunday School's fault.  It is the mentality of thinking negatively and discourage any new idea.  It is selfishness.  If everyone in that church would practice positive lifestyle, relationship, and mentality, do you think they will still have young people doing wrong things?  Hardly.  If there are, it would very few who make wrong choices.

That is the whole point of that book: Secrets Of Their Strength.  Only Jesus Christ, nothing less.  Isn't that the idea Roman 14 is trying to tell us?  And what about Philippians 2?

The truth always win without fail.  It is not that much different than the second point.  Positive, truth, and winning are from same spirit.  If you want to be right, BE RIGHT!  The wording "get right or get left" isn't that far off.  In fact, it is right on the mark.

I strongly encourage everyone to read Who Do You Think You Are...Anyway.  Just as good are the following, The Five Love Languages and The Five Languages of Apology.  There are few good books that talks about the difference between man and woman.  I didn't read much on that, but I did read Wild At Heart which focus on man and why is he different from woman.  I have had few discussions with some of my married friends that give me rough ideas.  Even then, I would love to read a good book, so maybe someone have a good suggestion?

Those books tells us what the Bible didn't say.  While they are man's writings and reasonings, they sure does make it easier for us to understand each other.  And what's more, it helps me understand myself and detects the positive traits in others that I don't have.  Since I don't have that positive trait, I want to improve myself in that area.  In same vein, it wouldn't hurt a man if he would try to observe women and see how they think.  My ex-girlfriend's dad once shared that Eastern mind think with right side of the brain (intuition) and Western mind think with left side of the brain (logic).  Man think logically while woman think intuitively.

My point being is that truth always win and it wouldn't hurt for us to experiment.  No matter what books we read, or movies we watch, we have no fear of evil if we constantly use the truth to filter the information we received or learned.  It is safer for us to develop that habit.  If you read as many self-help books as I have done, you probably would noticed the common theme.  If it agrees with the Bible, it is probably truth.  Take for example, How to Win Friends and Influence People, you probably would remember the Bible says we are to love all men, honor all of them, and serve others.

The truth is in the majority.  Admit it, what most people agree with is a truth in itself.  All Bible believers we know of agrees on Jesus and the Bible DID say that Jesus (not regulations) is the cornerstone of the church!  Most people feels good when reading or listening a message on secular subjects such as Personality Insights or Leadership...which means it is good.  If it stays feeling good to know the information long after you heard it, it is good.  You are blessed.

Why do we categorized deafness, blindness, or others as handicapped or not normal?  Because most people can see, hear, and walk.  The same true about homosexuality, although we Bible believers also know the Bible did clearly say that is sin.

What the Bible did NOT say as sin, we also instinctively felt that is not normal. 

Now, I am not talking about any kind of majority.  I am talking about common sense, not anything else.

That brings me back to the Bible.  Jesus said many times that we are to ask anything in His name and He will do it.  The Bible clearly records that He WILL, not maybe.  To think anything else would get you on the left side.  If we want something that is normal, we are wanting a good thing.  Never mind the idea of being selfish.  God is a generous God, and He wants to be our Friend, period.  If you have a stranger asking you a favor, you are less likely to give it than you would give to your best friend.  And how would you give to your best friend?  Definitely!  Now what make us think God, our Creator and our image, would be any different?

Maybe you argue that God's way are higher than our ways and that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, which means we would have hard time thinking like God.  Of course.  After all, we are finite beings, and we can understand only so much.  But does that means we should give up?  No.  In fact, God does encourage learning.  Mental Dynamics is a book that influence me to think objectively.  We cannot think completely objectively, but we shouldn't give up trying.

Besides, the same spirit that created in us the ability to learn also commands holiness.  If we don't learn, we will make mistakes.  And when we make mistakes, we are to learn from it.  How else does King David be considered as a man after God's own heart, especially we know he committed adultery and got punished for it?

We also noticed that nearly everyone want to be good and happy.  Those who don't want to be are that way because of legalism, which is a word describing negativity mix with good (contradiction).

The Bible says what it says.
There are only two driving forces in the world.
The Truth always win without fail.
The Truth is in the majority (not popular).

That is the basic principles I noticed and learned in my life.  I won't be surprised if all of you readers would agree with me on this point.  I had a very interesting debate with an atheist recently.  We were going back and forth on Facebook, and I decided to stop because it is getting addictive.  But I noticed that the above principles are what we both agreed on.  While he wouldn't say it, but the tone of his replies to my reasonings confirms the fact.  Because of that, I am firmly convinced that I learned much from my debate with an atheist, and it help me boil down everything.  That atheist keep insisting on evidence, and when I reported about Christians having power of healing, I ask him if they have same power.  No comment on that subject other than he want the reliable sources which I didn't give simply because he is not going to take it to heart.

You see, I like things simple and consistent.  Not many people know how to simplify everything, but Luke Martin of Wisconsin preached at Meadow View church on the first Sunday of this year (the first--and the last time I was at my parent's church) talked about Jesus's gospel is simple.  It is simple, I have known that.

We talked about there are so many gray areas, but in reality there are only two driving forces.  We don't want to fall in sin, but should that concern an Christian optimistic realist?  If all our mind is on Jesus Christ alone, all the trivial difference among us shouldn't bother us.  We who have Anabaptist history also have the history of different churches sharing the communion.  It was Elvin Rohrer who told us at Numbia Bible School that there is a story in Martyr's Mirror about Christians from Thessalonia going to meet Anabaptists and took communion and wash each other's feet.  Now we can enjoy reading the book, The Heavenly Man.  We should noticed that there was some differences, but Brother Yun solve the difference by washing the opponent's feet! 

After all, 1 John 4:1 is in the Bible and it is right.  If he is for Christ, he is my brother, and I will wash his feet if given chance.

Other thing I want to point out is where in the Bible says it is God's commandment, it is stated bluntly.  We all know that the Ten Commandment is the fundamentals of good life.  In New Testament, we are taught to love.  It is interesting to notice that there is nowhere, absolutely nowhere, in the Bible that gives us pointers on how to love.  Except that we are to love passionately, deeply, abundantly, joyfully, and freely!  I happened to recall a story in Christian Example that discourage hugging, because it may replace the holy kiss.  The Bible itself have a recording of Paul hugging and kissing, see Acts 20:37, but he did say something about it is not good for man to touch a woman (see 1 Corinthians 7:1-3).

Just remember this: when God want us to know it is His commandment, He say it bluntly, no word play like figure of speech or beating around the bush.  There are many things in the Bible, but God did not say they are His commandment.  It is included in the Bible simply because God approves it.  But approving and requiring is not the same thing, it is only for our inspiration and if we practices the whole Bible, more blessings and favor comes our way.  Most, if not all, of Anabaptistic descendants in the history split over Apostle Paul's ideas.  He like to keep things simple and gives us a lifestyle most satisfying and blessing to us.  Consider ban, headship veiling, and dress.  What God insist of us, all Bible readers will know.  No interpretations required.

Seasoned Bible students may come to different conclusions, but if we remember the obvious commandments, we should keep it simple.  Go to Bible school, seminaries, colleges or what have ye.  Still, always remember the most obvious.  That is where we are common.  That is where we are unified.  If we all would come together on this point, more power come our way.  And there will be less evil in the world. 

Unfortunately, too many churches, especially plain churches, insists on their own interpretations...

Mix and match truths.  Why not?  That is what adds spice to life.  It makes Christian life more exciting.  Everybody have been doing it for years without realizing it.  Consider science.  Everyone noticed that things always fall to the floor or ground, but it takes Isaac Newton to label it gravity.  Then scientists use that principle in their other studies.

One example is that I took the verse Malachi 3:10, which is talking about money.  God seems to say, "Prove me and see what happens."  How about applying that elsewhere?  The Bible did say pray and you will receive, didn't it?  Why not prove it?  Isaiah 45:11 supports the idea.  I don't know what other versions says, but I like the KJV quotation. 

You talking submission?  Be careful not to submit ourselves out of wholeness.  God will never ask that of us.  He wants us to be whole, just like you would want your best friend to be whole.  Sure, we are to submit to servitude, but that didn't means giving up what we enjoy doing.  Like for example, I hate wearing hats all my life.

Obey everything what the Bible says.  Mind you, New Testament makes it clear that it is not necessary to obey Mosaic Law.  But would it hurt?  No.  It just means you are not in danger of judgment if you don't practices circumcision and eat meats offered to idols, period.  Don't forget that Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it.  I think I have an idea what He means.  He came on the cross and took away our sins.  Because of His presence and death, we no longer need to practice rites that Moses wrote about.  Now all we have to do is to believe.

Believe.  That's simple, but the hardest thing to do.  Imagine praying without ceasing until we get what we pray for.  No time limit.  I was always time-conscious, so it is extremely difficult for me to continue praying because I didn't get answer yet.  (I have tried praying all night for hearing)  It is even harder than following the Ten Commandments, yet God requires us to believe, or we would be in danger of damnations (see Revelations 21:8)

That point taken, now why not practices Mosaic Law?  I read Bill Gothard's book, pointing out Leviticus 15.  It is said that married couples who practices it have stronger relationship than before.  Never mind that health today says we should sex as often as we can, because it is healthy.  (Pity single people who want to avoid fornication!)  We already practices circumcision, not because of religion connection, but because it is a preventive medicine, so to speak.  We already practices cleanliness and orderliness, well, most of us anyway. 

Ten Commandment?  We don't have any graven image, do we?  I read on Internet recently that some Catholic felt it is more consistent if Protestants who protest against the crucifix would not have Nativity scenes for Christmas decorations.  Most of us, Plain People, don't have that inconsistency.  God said we should not have any gods before Him.  That would be already stated in New Testament where it says we are to do all things in moderation.  A couch potato don't have a fulfilling life as a hard worker; a workaholic don't have a whole life, missing out the social life.  A life of a party living for next party would miss out the pleasure of now; a reserved person, too shy to go to party, would miss the broader life pertaining to social life.  Coveting something?  Don't forget you do have a good thing yourself.  Never know someone may be coveting you!

Well...you get the idea of how I think....Have a great life!
--
Omar Burkholder

Email: deafdemophile@gmail.com

"How are you thinking?"
"Thinking like a winner."
"How are you feeling?"
"Feeling like a winner."
"Good.  That's my girl."

With that, she rode away into winning the penning sport.  I love that movie, Every Second Counts.  While I am not equestrian by heart, I do enjoy movies with a good story.  Especially if it has a good moral that make you think.  I like to think, I am sure you all know.

I watch that movie on Thursday evening and then on Friday evening, I was busy reading emails.  I sign up for many motivating emails and I got so many that I couldn't hardly keep up!  But I have read enough on Friday evening that I got so fired up.  I decided to go out and walk. 

That's when I got to see hot air balloon up so close.  I was fascinated by it, and wonder how much it cost to ride one.  I eventually ask someone and they say about $100+.  I thought it could be more than that, maybe $500+.  But I could be wrong, of course.  The reason I thought it would be costly to ride hot air balloons was because I remember John Dale Yoder of New Mexico once told me that hot air balloons cost $60,000.

Unbelievable?  Believe it.

That is the famous quote you often see when watching TV shows of Ripley's Believe it or Not.

I love that TV shows, but my love turn into distaste.  When I start watching that TV shows, I saw there are few things that reminds me of what Jesus says, "Ye are gods" or in Genesis that shows we are created in the image of God.  We are very much like God than any other creatures.  But because we are created being, we should not exalt ourselves above God.  We must remember that we are very depended on God.  However, with that in mind, I enjoy watching TV shows.

But it eventually turn into distaste, because I get to see people doing unnecessary things, enough to gross out the faint-hearted.  Like actual crucifixion and be hung by skin of back and fly over the countryside.  It is also interesting to notice that people who are willing to hurt themselves are often more slovenly than those who use their common sense.

After all, God does give us a fear of getting hurt.  He also give us a need to live.  Satan worshippers often violate those attributes.

I see that I didn't get this update done.  I could have done it last evening, but I wasn't in mood.  Maybe I should be.  I did think of forcing myself to do something I am not in mood for, writing updates.  After all, I always like to keep everything looking clean, such as keeping draft folder in email empty, so it does bother me to see that my draft folder is not empty.  I always check Spam folder and then when I don't see anything worth saving, I delete them forever.

Well, it is more than half hour since I went online, and it is in the morning before I go to work.  I always check my devotional emails and motivational emails before going to work, and I always try to limit myself to half hour, so I would have time to pray 15 minutes and eat breakfast.  I hate being late, and fortunately, so far, I rarely was late.  Like yesterday morning, I almost was late, but I skipped reading emails--and prayer as well.  Bummer.

That's when I woke up at 5:30.  I always wake up at 4:30, but I was so tired that morning and I went back to sleep...(oops).  That morning was rushed, and not only that, I make a big mistake that day.  I powdercoat one project all wrong.  Now we have to recoat them today.  It is said I have done several thousand dollars loss to the company. 

Few days went by.  Has it been a week?  I know I have been so busy.  I have so many emails that it is almost impossible for me to catch up.  Maybe I should forget about such emails, but I want to read them.  When will I ever have time?

Last evening I chatted with Susan on TDD.  I didn't have TDD program on my computer anymore, but now I found a website that would do the job just as good without downloading anything.  I wonder how well it would work from Belize.  I like keeping things online, because that means less clutter for my computer.

That thousands of dollars loss is over and past.  Sure the crunch is still there, but we are moving on.  It is nice to work for a forgiving people.

Rachel Raber was around in PA last weekend.  We got talking about Personality Insights.  It is interesting to notice how she seems to keep talking about that personality thing.  But it does fire me up, trying to understand people.

I have been thinking of writing a book titled something like The Universal Eternal Truths.  I hoped that it would appeal to Bible non-readers, helping people to think that there is more to life than meets the eye.

I turned 31 last Friday.  My family insist in seeing me, but I felt kind of bad that they didn't stay around long enough to worth 2 and half hours' drive.  But I did warn them that I have many plans last weekend.  I finally got them all accomplished, at the expense of insufficient sleep.

I ask Lisa Ciccarelli if she want to go out eat with me, because we didn't see each other for a long time, and we have birthdays close to each other.  But it seems like she is busy too.  It didn't bother me, but what amuse me is she apologize that she is so busy.  We didn't have to eat out until we are not busy, which I feel wouldn't ever happen.

It looks like this month I would be busy every weekend.  This Saturday, we talked of taking hike.  Next Saturday, there is deaf picnic in Ephrata.  August 30 is garlic festival in Pocono.  I sure would like to taste that garlic ice cream.

Well, not much else to say at this point.  So maybe I should get this email send and going.
--
Omar Burkholder
1091 Martindale Road
Ephrata, PA 17522

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