Don't Worry ????

Profoundly things tend to come out of the blue and hit you right between the eyes. Sometimes it is the smallest of things, and the other times you have to ask yourself, “Why didn’t’ I think of that?” It is at these moments that we are most productive. It is the times that you see or hear something that makes the most sense that you look back and wonder what motivated that individual to reach that point in his life, and can I do the same? The answer is “Yes you can!!!” You can do anything and everything possible with the right help and guidance, and the right path in life. You can succeed in all your endeavors if you prepare yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Do not look on your task at hand as a job to do or a meaningless task, but rather look at everything as a challenge and a blessing. Never take anything in life for granted, rather remember there are always others who would love the opportunity to do what you can. There are those who do not have the ability or the health to perform the tasks that you consider easy. There are those who would give everything they had in life to be able to work, no matter the task or the job, but to just be able to perform any task.

I would love to once again be able to ride a horse, run a race, work in the same type of job I have worked on the early part of my life, but the truth is I cannot. I have a back that the doctor’s claim is inoperable and they can see no way that I should be able to do what I do now, and you know what? Being able to surpass the doctors and the naysayers is a good feeling. I too used to sit and get angry because of the pain and the torment my back gives me every single minute of the day. The pain that even though I am dosed with medication 24 hours a day will not go away but stays, reminds me of my short comings, but not of what my potential is now.  At first I was mad and I held others responsible for my condition unil I sat and shared my feelings with God. It was then that a realized that even though I am the way I am now,   in pain and unable to do what I have done in the past, God is not through with me. He has changed my life and awakened a spark in me that was out for a while. He has re charged my cells and he has given me a new task and a new course to follow, and as long as I can I will do his work.

So remember when you think all is bad and nothing could get worse, remember there are others out there that have it much worse and would love to be in your shoes. I was awakened with a passage I want to close this week with, and it is short. It is from a phrase in the Bible, but the shorter version is now my battle cry; “don’t worry about anything, pray about everything!”

WEST, TEXAS Plant Explosion

By: Terry Dean Writer

At many areas across our land our safety depends on volunteers to respond in the case of emergency. These mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends are the only line of defense should the unthinkable happen in small towns and rural areas alike. Without a second thought when needed these brave men and women are called to respond. They put their lives on hold for their friends, neighbors, and even those they have never met and those they will never know. These are the brave men and women who man the fire trucks, ambulances, and other necessary emergency equipment at a moment’s notice. They answer the call not asking for whom or for what, they just know that someone is in peril, and unless they answer the call, then a life, a home, or a family could be gone forever.

These men and women are just regular people with regular problems just like you and me; the only difference is they do it because they care. They respond to the fires, the accidents, the sick, and the needy not thinking about themselves, but rather caring enough to make a difference. Whether it is because of accident, Mother Nature, or any other reason, these fine upstanding men and women are the backbone and life of many small towns and cities. When others are seeking shelter from torrential rains or floods, from tornadoes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters, the Volunteer First Responders are there to aid and assist as needed. They never ask for anything in return other than the knowledge that they have made a difference; that they have helped their friends, family, and neighbors that they have made a true difference. Unlike their big city counterparts that are expected and paid to respond, they do it from their heart and from their soul.

Nothing has been clearer from this than the events that transpired on April 17^th 2013 in the small town of West, Texas... Many of the first responders and others had already made it home for the evening before the initial page came reporting a fire at the West Fertilizer Company on the north end of town. Others were in West attending a paramedic class, while still others were finishing their chores on this otherwise warm day. Weather reports had mentioned a fairly strong cold front that was moving in the direction of the town, so many were taking care of stock and chores expecting cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain.

Reports indicated that a page went out to the West Volunteer Fire Department sometime around 7:30 PM and the initial responders went to the plant where a fire had been reported. As crews from the volunteer department began to set up and prepare to fight the fire an explosion ripped through the plant at 7:50 PM. The explosion was so strong that it was felt as far away as Dallas Texas. The force was so strong that the blast actually registered a 2.8 on seismic devices that are used to measure earthquakes. The plume of smoke from the explosion was visible for up to 75 mile away, and caught everyone by surprise. The initial responders were caught off guard, and most lost their lives in the few minutes after they arrived. There were also others who had responded that were not formal members of the fire department, this included one gentleman who actually was a Captain with the Dallas Fire Department who lived in West, and like the others did not give a second thought to helping those who were in need.

There are many news articles about what transpired after the event, but that is not why I felt compelled to write. I am not a reporter, and those stories are best left to the professionals, I am giving my time to the first responders, the others who were compelled to help for no other reason than that is what they do, and that is their legacy.

I am in awe of what I saw, and what I heard when it comes to the people of the city of West and the surrounding areas. The people knew that their friends in neighbors were hurting and in pain, and they stepped up and made a difference. From the ones who had automobiles and trucks that were still able to be driven and then assisted in evacuating the walking wounded from the danger area, to those who assisted law enforcement in keeping traffic flowing as best as possible given the massive outpouring of aid from surrounding departments. To the untrained who helped in triage by staying those who were injured and giving them someone  to hold on to, and the many, many others too lengthy to list who were there when they were needed, it is these people along with the first responders who saved countless lives and aided those in deep despair.

Finally my mind draws back to other disasters that have occurred in large metropolitan areas and I think of the many that turn and run away from the danger. The ones who feel they owe nothing to anyone else other than themselves, the ones who would never stop and aid those in dire need of assistance, and the thoughts cause me to grow heavy hearted as I wonder what our Lord God thinks when he sees these events transpire. It causes me to be deeply saddened to think people can be so unaffected by the hurting and needs of others. To those who do not care I only wish that you would stop and take the time to think about you actions, and remember each of us will be called to stand before our savior for our actions here on this lonely desolate rock, and when we are all called back home, I can only hope and pray that my personal actions show that I am of the group that cares, and I am one who does not run away from danger or despair, but rather towards it in the protection of my family, friends, and neighbors, and that my life has made at least some difference in the lives of others, just as those brave men and women did on that fateful night in West.

I am reminded of a Bible passage John 15:13 that I keep on my desk that reads; “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” To each of the members, friends, and family who responded on that fateful night and laid down their lives I truly know that they are at peace with the Lord. I truly am proud of their bravery and honor and so should each of you. To those of you who are still here, hurting and alone because of the loss of a loved one or friend, you should be at peace in knowing they are at the right hand of the Father, and will be there waiting to greet each of us on the final days.

Don’t Wait Till The End  By Terry Dean

As a lifetime is full and reaching its end,

We constantly wonder in awe

Just what we have done and what we have said

That will matter to any and all

A lifetime is short in the scheme of things

In this cosmos of wonder and might

So when we look back on the things we have done

We all seem to search for the light

Although we make out to be mighty and strong

We soon learn just how small we are

And once through this life we finally find

We really haven’t traveled that far

We remember the good times the bad and the rest

And pain the hunger and strife

And how we have prayed just to make it one day

Through this journey that we call our life

Are we walking alone or is there someone there

That silently guides us along

Someone who cares and watches our way

Someone who makes us strong

We are taught when we are young to worship the Lord

He is with us and guides us each day

But as we grow older we all seem to loose

Our need to be humble and pray

We grow and we think we can do anything

We don’t need help we can do this alone

We hurry around we forget what was taught

And our heart start to turn into stone

Then we reach the end of this journey called life

And suddenly we think what we’ve done

And we start to remember the teachings of old

And his words we have chosen to shun

It has always amazed me how when the end comes near

How everyone reaches for hope

To remember the words and the teachers class

For the answers we all try to grope

It seems to me the answer is clear

There’s no need to wait till the end

Remember that Jesus is always there

He’s your only one true and good friend

So don’t wait till the end to seek him out

He’s with you so speak every day

And you’ll find that it’s easy once you give it a try

To find just the right words to say

Speak from your heart and don’t miss a thing

Share your troubles and sorrows my friend

He already knows he’s been there just for you

You’ll find peace for your soul in the end.