"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:1-21
Monday, December 24, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - A Review
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
My two cents.
Took my eldest to see The Hobbit tonight. It was very very good. I had read some reviews and was kind of looking to not enjoy it as much as I did. I didn't take my little one to this one tonight, Momma wasn't feeling well and he hadn't had a nap, so we'll let him catch it on DVD.
First, this is NOT Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit is a children's book, whereas the LOTR Trilogy certainly is not. That said, Peter Jackson took a lot of this new series from the Appendices, written to add to the LOTR world and background story. The movie isn't a children's movie by any means but there is a slightly different tone than the LOTR, especially early. If you had to compare the first of the Hobbit movies to any of the original LOTR movies, it would be the first one / The Fellowship of the Ring. Most alike in tone and story line.
Second, this movie is the first major motion picture filmed at 48 frames per second vs the traditional 24 frames per second. What this accomplishes is the "blur" we are used to seeing in the fast action sequences in movies is completely gone. The action sequences are brilliant and a treat to watch. The only con I saw, was in some of the more static scenes, those without much movement at all. It was subtle but I actually had a bit of trouble focusing on the details in those slower scenes. The first few sequences especially were troublesome. I'm not sure if sitting farther back would have helped but as the movie progressed I seemed to have adjusted to it and had no troubles after that. Peter Jackson outdid himself, the movie is a visual masterpiece. Makes me want to go to "Middle Earth, ie New Zealand" really really bad! :-)
Third, as for the movie, it is certainly worth the price of admission. I don't go out of my way to see a lot of movies at the theater but this is a must see if you are a fan of such movies. I don't know if I'd take young children but my four year old handles the original three with no trouble so he could have seen this one. The first time we watched one of the LOTR movies at home, I was worried he'd be scared (he was three then). As soon as Gollum came on, he started giggling and for some reason cracks up every time he is on screen. A few of this movies scenes were intense but nothing overly bloody. As in the first series, a lot of the action is played with a bit of comic relief.
Fourth, Gandalf is Gandalf, played by Ian McKellan. Good as always. Young Bilbo is played by Martin Freeman (of the BBC's Sherlock series) and is very good. Richard Armitage playes Thorin Oakenshield (heir to the Dwarf kingdom's throne) and is outstanding. Really does a great job. Many of the supporting characters are back with the original actors, even if just for a cameo, Older Bilbo, Frodo, Lord Elron, Lady Galadriel, Saruman, and of course Gollum. A lot of new characters, mostly dwarves but there were so many of them, it was a bit hard to follow their names. A few were memorable, some were forgettable.
Fifth, this first movie is pretty true to the original book with a few key elements apparently added from the Appendices. I've read the book, not the Appendices, so it is hard to say for sure. Most of the added sequences were merely laying ground work for the next two films, when I'm sure they will delve deeper into the Appendices. The movie goes from the assembling of the team as in the book, to the point where the Eagles rescue them from the Orcs. (Sorry, trying to avoid spoilers here). Despite most of this first movie being true to the book, it avoids some of the book's more childish elements. There were no talking animals in this movie, unlike the book. Most of the basic story line was the same but probably taken up a notch in the drama and seriousness of the scene but without losing some of the humor.
Well I've written more than I intended. I'm a fan of Tolkien and I can't wait to see the next two. :-)
I guess I gave you a $1.00 instead of two cents! ;-)
My two cents.
Took my eldest to see The Hobbit tonight. It was very very good. I had read some reviews and was kind of looking to not enjoy it as much as I did. I didn't take my little one to this one tonight, Momma wasn't feeling well and he hadn't had a nap, so we'll let him catch it on DVD.
First, this is NOT Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit is a children's book, whereas the LOTR Trilogy certainly is not. That said, Peter Jackson took a lot of this new series from the Appendices, written to add to the LOTR world and background story. The movie isn't a children's movie by any means but there is a slightly different tone than the LOTR, especially early. If you had to compare the first of the Hobbit movies to any of the original LOTR movies, it would be the first one / The Fellowship of the Ring. Most alike in tone and story line.
Second, this movie is the first major motion picture filmed at 48 frames per second vs the traditional 24 frames per second. What this accomplishes is the "blur" we are used to seeing in the fast action sequences in movies is completely gone. The action sequences are brilliant and a treat to watch. The only con I saw, was in some of the more static scenes, those without much movement at all. It was subtle but I actually had a bit of trouble focusing on the details in those slower scenes. The first few sequences especially were troublesome. I'm not sure if sitting farther back would have helped but as the movie progressed I seemed to have adjusted to it and had no troubles after that. Peter Jackson outdid himself, the movie is a visual masterpiece. Makes me want to go to "Middle Earth, ie New Zealand" really really bad! :-)
Third, as for the movie, it is certainly worth the price of admission. I don't go out of my way to see a lot of movies at the theater but this is a must see if you are a fan of such movies. I don't know if I'd take young children but my four year old handles the original three with no trouble so he could have seen this one. The first time we watched one of the LOTR movies at home, I was worried he'd be scared (he was three then). As soon as Gollum came on, he started giggling and for some reason cracks up every time he is on screen. A few of this movies scenes were intense but nothing overly bloody. As in the first series, a lot of the action is played with a bit of comic relief.
Fourth, Gandalf is Gandalf, played by Ian McKellan. Good as always. Young Bilbo is played by Martin Freeman (of the BBC's Sherlock series) and is very good. Richard Armitage playes Thorin Oakenshield (heir to the Dwarf kingdom's throne) and is outstanding. Really does a great job. Many of the supporting characters are back with the original actors, even if just for a cameo, Older Bilbo, Frodo, Lord Elron, Lady Galadriel, Saruman, and of course Gollum. A lot of new characters, mostly dwarves but there were so many of them, it was a bit hard to follow their names. A few were memorable, some were forgettable.
Fifth, this first movie is pretty true to the original book with a few key elements apparently added from the Appendices. I've read the book, not the Appendices, so it is hard to say for sure. Most of the added sequences were merely laying ground work for the next two films, when I'm sure they will delve deeper into the Appendices. The movie goes from the assembling of the team as in the book, to the point where the Eagles rescue them from the Orcs. (Sorry, trying to avoid spoilers here). Despite most of this first movie being true to the book, it avoids some of the book's more childish elements. There were no talking animals in this movie, unlike the book. Most of the basic story line was the same but probably taken up a notch in the drama and seriousness of the scene but without losing some of the humor.
Well I've written more than I intended. I'm a fan of Tolkien and I can't wait to see the next two. :-)
I guess I gave you a $1.00 instead of two cents! ;-)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Saturday, December 1, 2012
12 months to 275 lbs!
Most folks who know me have heard me referred to as "The Heavy Revy". A friend coined that nickname a long time ago, I always thought it was funny and it kind of stuck. To say I'm a big guy would be an understatement. Not just big as in fat (though yes I'm that too) but I'm a bit of a giant, even without the weight. I am 6'7" tall, I have a 60" chest, and nearly a 7 foot wing span! When I got married at 19, I was 6'6" tall and weighed in about 250 lbs. I had a much smaller frame, in fact I was about 6 to 8 " smaller, shoulder to shoulder. My frame is much much larger than it was back then.
Why is that important? Well I often hear people talking about getting back to what they weighed back when. Though I'd love to get back to 250 lbs, I'd likely have to lose both legs and all my weight to get there! I don't think if I survived a famine I'd ever make it back to that, I'm just too big even without the fat I've put on these last 22 years. So I have set out to find a more realistic goal for getting healthy. I am going to shoot for 275 lbs. I am not even sure I could lose enough weight for that but it will be my goal. IF I ever get back to 275 lbs, I will be SKINNY, believe me!
Now for a bit of background. As I said earlier, I was about 250 and much smaller in frame when I got married. I grew an inch in height but grew much more in frame. I averaged putting on about 4 to 6 lbs a year for the first 15 years or so. At 34, I weighed in around 320 lbs. No excuses, just laziness, love of food, and a sedentary lifestyle. It was gradual but steady and it sure didn't make me feel any better that is for sure. I got sick back in 2002, when I was 31. My weight didn't change all that much at first, just kept inching up. Somewhere around 2005, one of my doctors got the bright idea to start pumping me full of steroids. They didn't really know what was wrong with me but they thought it was auto-immune and figured steroids would help. Long story short, that was the WORST thing they could have done for me health-wise and for my weight.
In 2007, I started seeing a new doctor in Ft. Worth. That is when they REALLY started pumping me full of steroids! My health plummeted, my weight soared! By 2008, I weighed in at 408 lbs! I was deathly sick and far heavier than I'd ever been. By August of 2008 I was literally near death. I spent 6 days in Baylor hospital only to be told they didn't know what was wrong with me and I should probably get ready to spend the rest of my life in a wheel chair. Things were bad to say the least.
Without retelling my whole illness story, in September of 2008, I was finally properly diagnosed with Lyme Disease. All treatment with steroids stopped but by then the damage had been done, I was horribly over weight, so weak I couldn't even stand, and my health was shattered.
For the last four years I have fought the disease and kind of / sort of worked on my weight. It has been a constant journey of three steps forward, two steps back. By 2010, I was some what improved and decided to start seeing if I could get some weight off. I am blessed, despite all I've been through, to have a killer metabolism. My wife calls my "diet", if you can call it that, the "Pop Tart and Cereal" diet! :-) Since 2010, I managed to lose about 55 lbs, despite eating pop tarts and cereal every night (to satisfy my sweet tooth). I make my wife sick! :-)
So here I am, roughly two years later and I weigh 358 lbs. I'm doing better physically, I feel somewhat better but know I have much to lose. I need to get my strength back, having lost a ton of muscle over the years of being so sick. I have kind of plateaued the last few months but had kind of fallen off the wagon a bit as well. I've been border line diabetic for a while, and I've felt pretty bad lately. I don't know for certain but I'd wager my blood sugar has been elevated. I guess that adds a bit more urgency to the need to get the last of the weight off but it isn't the only reason. I'm 41 now, not getting any younger. Years of broken bones and blown out joints have begun to take their toll. Chronic pain has become a much bigger part of my life, even more than with the Lyme Disease. The two combined issues have really gotten bad. Getting the weight off can't help but make me feel better and cut out some of the pain. If you have to walk around on bad joints, weighing less can't hurt! It is time to get serious and I'm going to use this blog and Facebook to keep me more accountable.
SSSOOO if you are reading this, please say a prayer for me every now and again. I have a LOT of bad habits to break, from soft drinks, sweet tea, cereal, and that sweet tooth that flares way too often. I need to get back into regularly exercising as well. With my metabolism, it won't take a lot to get my act together. I don't need to eat like a bird, just keep it sensible and steady. Getting under 300 lbs won't be all that hard I don't imagine. Those last 25 lbs I think will be harder, because I really don't know what the lowest weight I could get too with my frame. Truth be known, if I can get under 300 I'll be thrilled. Well, I know I can get under 300, just need to do it! So this is what I'm going to post daily. As "daily" as I can keep it anyway.
WEIGHT CHECK IN
High Weight: 408 lbs.
Dec 1, 2012 Weight: 358 lbs.
Dec 1, 2013 Goal Weight: 275 lbs.
Amount Still to lose: 83 lbs.
Yesterday's Weight: 358 lbs.
Today's Weight: 358 lbs.
One Day Weight Lost: 0 lbs.
Total Weight Still to Lose: 83 lbs.
Days Left: 365 days
So thanks for taking a minute to read this. Feel free to tell me "PUT DOWN THE DONUT FAT BOY!" if you see me getting out of line or slacking. Insults accepted, prayers appreciated! Thanks!
The Heavy....soon to be less Heavy....Revy!
The Heavy....soon to be less Heavy....Revy!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
The Oven from Hades!!!!
We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog post to allow me to completely, utterly, and totally lose my religion!!!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have spent the last two hours with my oversized head, my oversized arms, and my oversized behind stuck inside of, underneath, and in front of my oven. I merely needed to replace the oven ignitor. Its a breeze Youtube says. Anyone can do it Youtube says. Its a five minute job Youtube says. Youtube is a big fat liar!!!
NOTHING about my oven is like the supposed "same model #" in the how to video. NOTHING lines up. NOTHING is accessible. NOTHING looks the same. NOTHING about the video was in the least bit helpful except for the fact that at each and every step I was reminded that there was NOTHING about my oven that even remotely resembled the one IN THE VIDEO!
Not one to be easily deterred, I trudged on. I bent, twisted, tweaked, and torqued each and every component off and out and spent twice as much time merely trying to get those same parts back where they came from when I was done. Simple? Not a chance! Why you ask? Because the ignitor I took out of my oven looks absolutely NOTHING like the ignitor I just put IN my oven! BUT I am assured that this is indeed the right ignitor for my oven! It not only looks different, it installs at a different angle. Why is this important? Because it threw each and every component I took out off by JUST enough to make putting said components back in slightly more difficult than sending man to the moon, slightly.
Being the intrepid do it yourselfer I trudged on. Two hours into my simple five minute job, I was done. Was my heart filled with satisfaction and happy thoughts about puppies and butterflies? Do I hear the theme song to Rocky echoing in my brain? Not a chance. Why you ask again? Because Murphy's Law is the bane of my existence. If I could in fact find Mr. Murphy, I'd shoot him dead and bury his body in my back yard. Why would anyone make up such a terrible thing! Sadly I cannot locate Mr. Murphy. Its his lucky day. But I digress.
My two hour ordeal is complete. My oven restored to working order I pray. I hit the button. The ignitor ignites!!! I can see its warm and hopeful glow. I hear the valve on the gas open. I remember that I read the gas would not come on if the ignitor did not reach a sufficient temperature. My hopes perk up ever so slightly but it is not to be. Murphy has quashed my hopes yet again. The ignitor ignites. The gas gasses. The oven does not oven. For some reason (I have my thoughts on this) the RED HOT ignitor is not actually igniting said gas that is gassing.
I strive with every fiber of my being not to curse my oven into the bowels of Hades and am forced to restrain myself from finding the nearest explosive material and exploding my oven into eternity. The oven is safe for now but I make no promises.
I want to thank my dear sweet wife for her words of uplift and encouragement when she says "remember dear, you really are a Murphy, not a Mauldin". AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
Have I mentioned that Youtube LIES? If any of you happen to hear a loud explosion just south of 24th Street, have no fear. Its just me completely losing my cool and sending this cursed oven back to the bowels of Hades where it belongs.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog post now in session. Carry on!
:-)
I have spent the last two hours with my oversized head, my oversized arms, and my oversized behind stuck inside of, underneath, and in front of my oven. I merely needed to replace the oven ignitor. Its a breeze Youtube says. Anyone can do it Youtube says. Its a five minute job Youtube says. Youtube is a big fat liar!!!
NOTHING about my oven is like the supposed "same model #" in the how to video. NOTHING lines up. NOTHING is accessible. NOTHING looks the same. NOTHING about the video was in the least bit helpful except for the fact that at each and every step I was reminded that there was NOTHING about my oven that even remotely resembled the one IN THE VIDEO!
Not one to be easily deterred, I trudged on. I bent, twisted, tweaked, and torqued each and every component off and out and spent twice as much time merely trying to get those same parts back where they came from when I was done. Simple? Not a chance! Why you ask? Because the ignitor I took out of my oven looks absolutely NOTHING like the ignitor I just put IN my oven! BUT I am assured that this is indeed the right ignitor for my oven! It not only looks different, it installs at a different angle. Why is this important? Because it threw each and every component I took out off by JUST enough to make putting said components back in slightly more difficult than sending man to the moon, slightly.
Being the intrepid do it yourselfer I trudged on. Two hours into my simple five minute job, I was done. Was my heart filled with satisfaction and happy thoughts about puppies and butterflies? Do I hear the theme song to Rocky echoing in my brain? Not a chance. Why you ask again? Because Murphy's Law is the bane of my existence. If I could in fact find Mr. Murphy, I'd shoot him dead and bury his body in my back yard. Why would anyone make up such a terrible thing! Sadly I cannot locate Mr. Murphy. Its his lucky day. But I digress.
My two hour ordeal is complete. My oven restored to working order I pray. I hit the button. The ignitor ignites!!! I can see its warm and hopeful glow. I hear the valve on the gas open. I remember that I read the gas would not come on if the ignitor did not reach a sufficient temperature. My hopes perk up ever so slightly but it is not to be. Murphy has quashed my hopes yet again. The ignitor ignites. The gas gasses. The oven does not oven. For some reason (I have my thoughts on this) the RED HOT ignitor is not actually igniting said gas that is gassing.
I strive with every fiber of my being not to curse my oven into the bowels of Hades and am forced to restrain myself from finding the nearest explosive material and exploding my oven into eternity. The oven is safe for now but I make no promises.
I want to thank my dear sweet wife for her words of uplift and encouragement when she says "remember dear, you really are a Murphy, not a Mauldin". AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
Have I mentioned that Youtube LIES? If any of you happen to hear a loud explosion just south of 24th Street, have no fear. Its just me completely losing my cool and sending this cursed oven back to the bowels of Hades where it belongs.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog post now in session. Carry on!
:-)
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Neglected Blog
My Two Mini Me's
I've had the urge of late to fire up the old blog again. Outside of a few book reviews, I have not blogged in over a year! Bad blogger, bad blogger!
I'm sitting here trying to think of the things that have happened since my last real blog post. The first thing that comes to mind is that since my last post about my 20th wedding anniversary, I've had my 21st wedding anniversary! :-)
Zachary finished his regular schooling last summer and started at TAMUT last fall. He's currently a sophomore (17 years old) and doing great! He has one full year of college under his belt and is well on his way to getting this third semester out of the way. He has a lovely girlfriend and is now working at Chicken Express. Life is good for the Z miester! He plans to go to Law School after college. That is the plan of the moment anyway!
Samuel is 4 years old now, beautiful, bad, amazing, aggravating, smart as can be, and a teenager in waiting! He's growing up so fast.
My now 10 year battle with Lyme disease continues. I'm actually doing pretty well all things considered. Seizures have been my biggest hurdle this last year but they have quieted a great deal this past month. I'm sitting at seven days seizure free and very thankful for that.
I've moved my computer shop back home and the business continues to do fairly well. It has never been a huge enterprise but it is used of God to meet many of our needs and I'm thankful for it.
New Beginnings Baptist Church is doing very very well! God has blessed us with a number of new families, couples, couples with kids, and several more. Our youth and children's program on Wednesday nights is doing very well. The fellowship is sweet, the unity is beautiful, and the love abounds. I am richly blessed to serve in such a place.
I'm 15 days shy of my 41st birthday. As I reflect on the passage of 41 years, I see so many things I could have and should have done differently but see how God has used all of my life, good decisions, bad decisions, failures, successes, the mountain tops, and the valleys. God wastes nothing in our lives. I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds the future. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
I'll try to be more consistent with the blogging. My wife has started a blog. I'll put a link below this line. I can't let her out blog me! ;-)
carrieleighs.blogspot.com
Thanking God daily for all He does in my life. He is my Rock and my Fortress. In Him and Him alone I place my trust.
In His Service,
Micah
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Tried Something a Bit Different.....
I LOVE books. I own somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,200 or so. I'd own a lot more than that if they weren't so expensive and SO hard to move! I LOVE theology, commentaries, the Biblical languages and on and on. I LOVE a book with substance. Unfortunately that leaves out much of what is in the "Christian" market place. Most of the books out there today are anything but substantive. So much of the material pushed on the public today in the name of "Christ" is simply mindless, empty, drivel. I have shelves full of such books. Books I bought many years ago when I had a bit less discernment, wisdom, and just plain sense. Most of their authors meant well but in their attempt to be "relevant", they wind up being powerless and without merit.
Despite my aversion to books that are not clearly substantive, I decided to try something a bit different a while back. I picked out the book "Chazown" by Craig Groeschel. The unusual title and knowing a bit about the author, by reputation more than anything, I thought I'd give it a go. I get free books to review from time to time and thought I'd try something a bit out there for me. Sadly I should have stuck to my traditional fare.
First things first. The book is not in and of itself a bad book. The author writes well and his style lends itself to a pretty easy read. He comes across as genuine and with a strong pastoral style. That said, I was struggling out of the gate with a couple of key things. First is the incessant use of the word "Chazown" in the body of the work. Rather than introduce its readers to the word, its concept and meaning, and then moving on, the author uses the word endlessly! I found myself groaning, almost out loud every time the author threw the word at me. Can't we simply define the word and only use it when it is really necessary? It was tedious and needless in my opinion and really hurt the book.
My second and most significant issue with the book is the author's handling of the scripture from which the books title and thesis is taken. Groeschel fell into the all too common error we see today of taking a single scripture and trying to build a theology around it. I'm not saying the author intended this but unfortunately he's guilty of it. The verse as it is used in the author's thesis is taken completely out of context! What should have been seen as a simple verse about the consequences of not having God's vision for our lives, in the context of discipline, (ie the results of not having God's vision) is instead mutated into some grand calling to become a visionary! What??? This is in no way an accurate interpretation of the scripture! If I had a dollar for every time a new book comes out like this, I could retire and retire well!
Without belaboring the issue, Chazown is simply a book I could have and should have done without. It will sit on my shelf and collect dust like many books before it. Its not all bad but its not that good either. I'll chalk up this book selection to a momentary lapse of discernment.
At best this book gets 2 out of 5 stars. That just might be a stretch.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through a book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Lyme Disease Medical Update
I have been bombarded with questions about how the doctor's appt in MO went, what did he say, etc. I don't want folks to think I'm dodging them, I simply am still trying to process it all!
In short summary let me say that it went amazingly well. God blessed the travel which I was dreading. We certainly had traveling graces! The appointment lasted a little over THREE HOURS! We covered things I'd never heard of (and I considered myself a fair student of Lyme Disease), things I would never have dreamed were connected, and some things I had no idea were going on in my body! The experience was mind blowing but so very encouraging at the same time!
The information came at me so fast, I barely had time to catch a tiny fraction of it. I was sent home with nearly an inch of instructions, explanations, prescriptions, etc. Its like earning a degree trying understand and process it all.
Yesterday, I finally got to pick up all of my new prescriptions (all but one). The cost came to over $1,100.00!!! This is about one month of medications in most cases! We haven't even gotten to the big question of if and or when he decides to put the port in and use those medicines. That will be $3,000.00 a month just for the meds! Fortunately a very small % have to have the port and those meds. We'll have to wait and see. One of the unusual things I had to get was an "EpiPen". It looks like one of those big oversized writing pens people use sometimes. I have two of them ($200.00!). Should I go into anaphelactic shock or my heart stop, Carrie gets to grab one of those and stab me in the outer thigh as hard as she can. Or she gets to not stab me. Guess that is her call! ;-) Its actually kind of cool but kind of scary at the same time. It is what it is I suppose.
The meds are crazy complicated, all over the map on when, how much, when not to. and on and on. It is going to be a real challenge to manage it all. Funny thing is, none of my test results have even come back on other issues. This batch of meds is only the beginning. I decided to get a head start last night and take just ONE PILL of the 11 new scrips I got last night. Wanted to judge what it was going to do to me. I woke up this morning unable to move feeling like my body was on fire! This dear friends is called a Herxheimer reaction. It is one of those things that happens when you attack the bacteria, they start dying off, and the effect on you body is murderous! This was with just one pill of one med! This is going to be fun! :-)
This morning I started the full initial regimen. Horse pills and lots of pills. Had to choke them down. Get to do this at least four times a day! I will introduce a new med every three to four days until I am on them all.
The good side of them all is the strong likelihood of a complete and total recovery! It is going to be a long, painful, sickening, and difficult trip but it is a trip I have to take to get my life back. There is so much more I have to tell, other health issues, other treatment avenues, diet changes (extreme!), and on and on. Just not enough time today.
Prayer Needs:
1. Ability to withstand the treatments. These treatments will almost kill me before they make me better. The side effects and suffering they cause is extreme. Please pray for endurance.
2. Financial. The medication costs are going to be astronomical. So many generous people both in our church, my Dad's church, and a few individuals have been so generous already, we just know God's provision can handle the rest. It is going to be expensive.
3. Healing. That is our ultimate hope. This treatment course has a strong likelihood to both treat the lyme, cure the lyme, cure the seizures and so much more. Ultimately this rests in the hands of the great physician and we all know He is able.
4. The Church. Please continue to pray for our church. They have demonstrated an amazing love and support for me and my family. They have stood by us through some terrible physical trials. Pray God rewards them for their faithfulness, blesses our church during some hard days ahead, and for His favor on our labors as we seek to make a difference in His kingdom.
5. My family. Please pray for my family as they endure yet another long round of treatment, illness, and difficult times. There aren't words to express how they have helped me, stood by me, and been there for me but I would be remiss if I did not ask God's strengthening hand be upon them.
6. For me. Patience, strength, endurance, faith, pain tolerance, and healing. Think that about sums it up.
Special thanks to all of you for your love, encouragement, prayers, and support. We could not have made it these last eight years without it. For the first time I can say, I can almost see the finish line. May the Lord grant us the grace to see it through to the end! Thank you, we love you, and may the Lord of all Lords richly bless you.
In His Service,
Micah
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Urgent Prayer Request
Good Morning to all my Friends and Prayer Partners,
I will be traveling with a friend to Columbia, Missouri this morning. Tomorrow morning I will see a new doctor, Dr. Charles Crist. He is the specialist for Lyme Disease treatment in this part of the country. If all goes as we believe it will, he will send me home with a new avenue of treatment than what I have been on the last three years. I have been on oral antibiotics for almost three years but have seemed to reach the end of what these medications can achieve. Dr. Crist uses a more aggressive method than my previous physician.
When I get back home, I will be setup with a local physician who will coordinate my local care. I will have a port put in my chest above my heart that will allow the meds to be put in direct. The medications will carry severe side effects and will be extremely difficult to endure. The cost of the monthly meds alone will be $3,000.00 a month. This does not include my doctors fees, my local doctor, home health, etc. This could take several months to a year to eliminate the Lyme bacteria. There is the hope of a cure but it will be an expensive and difficult journey.
My beloved church family, my father's church, and Christian friends have been stepping up and helping us raise the money to offset these costs but it will be difficult to meet all the expenses as the treatment is ongoing. We are looking at tens of thousands of dollars. Without this treatment, I am left with no "earthly" cure for my disease. I have to admit that is a fearful prospect for me. My suffering and struggles with this disease are simply more than I can bare. My prayer to God is that I get my life back, so that I can be the pastor, husband, father, and man that God wants me to be.
Please pray with us:
1. Pray for safe travels for me and my friend Robert Haley who is taking me to Missouri.
2. Pray for my family who has had to endure so much during my nine year fight with this disease.
3. Pray for the doctors and their treatment plan that I will be able to endure the treatment's side effects.
4. Pray for the treatment that it will be able to fully eradicate the Lyme bacteria from my body.
5. Pray for the Great Physician to have His hands at work during this time, without His hands I know no treatment will ultimately be successful.
6. Pray that will will be able to meet the extreme financial burden this treatment will entail.
7. Pray for my church family that God will strengthen them and hold the church together while I endure what is coming. We are blessed with the sweetest sense of unity and love and I don't want a trial to change that.
8. Lastly, please pray for me. I must confess that it is difficult for me at times to stay upbeat, project faith, and be the spiritual leader God wants me to be. As always, my heart's desire is to simply hear my Lord say "Well done my good and faithful servant". I will need your prayers to live that out.
Thank you in advance for those prayers. We have a long and difficult journey ahead of us. Without your prayers, we will never be able to endure everything we have to face. We love and appreciate each of you. May the Lord richly bless each of you. Thanks!
***NOTE*** THERE WILL BE NO WEDNESDAY SERVICES TONIGHT, JUNE 1ST, 2011, WITH BOTH ROBERT AND I OUT OF TOWN.
In His Service,
Micah
--
Pastor Micah J. Mauldin
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Texarkana, USA
www.nbbctexarkana.blogspot.com
I will be traveling with a friend to Columbia, Missouri this morning. Tomorrow morning I will see a new doctor, Dr. Charles Crist. He is the specialist for Lyme Disease treatment in this part of the country. If all goes as we believe it will, he will send me home with a new avenue of treatment than what I have been on the last three years. I have been on oral antibiotics for almost three years but have seemed to reach the end of what these medications can achieve. Dr. Crist uses a more aggressive method than my previous physician.
When I get back home, I will be setup with a local physician who will coordinate my local care. I will have a port put in my chest above my heart that will allow the meds to be put in direct. The medications will carry severe side effects and will be extremely difficult to endure. The cost of the monthly meds alone will be $3,000.00 a month. This does not include my doctors fees, my local doctor, home health, etc. This could take several months to a year to eliminate the Lyme bacteria. There is the hope of a cure but it will be an expensive and difficult journey.
My beloved church family, my father's church, and Christian friends have been stepping up and helping us raise the money to offset these costs but it will be difficult to meet all the expenses as the treatment is ongoing. We are looking at tens of thousands of dollars. Without this treatment, I am left with no "earthly" cure for my disease. I have to admit that is a fearful prospect for me. My suffering and struggles with this disease are simply more than I can bare. My prayer to God is that I get my life back, so that I can be the pastor, husband, father, and man that God wants me to be.
Please pray with us:
1. Pray for safe travels for me and my friend Robert Haley who is taking me to Missouri.
2. Pray for my family who has had to endure so much during my nine year fight with this disease.
3. Pray for the doctors and their treatment plan that I will be able to endure the treatment's side effects.
4. Pray for the treatment that it will be able to fully eradicate the Lyme bacteria from my body.
5. Pray for the Great Physician to have His hands at work during this time, without His hands I know no treatment will ultimately be successful.
6. Pray that will will be able to meet the extreme financial burden this treatment will entail.
7. Pray for my church family that God will strengthen them and hold the church together while I endure what is coming. We are blessed with the sweetest sense of unity and love and I don't want a trial to change that.
8. Lastly, please pray for me. I must confess that it is difficult for me at times to stay upbeat, project faith, and be the spiritual leader God wants me to be. As always, my heart's desire is to simply hear my Lord say "Well done my good and faithful servant". I will need your prayers to live that out.
Thank you in advance for those prayers. We have a long and difficult journey ahead of us. Without your prayers, we will never be able to endure everything we have to face. We love and appreciate each of you. May the Lord richly bless each of you. Thanks!
***NOTE*** THERE WILL BE NO WEDNESDAY SERVICES TONIGHT, JUNE 1ST, 2011, WITH BOTH ROBERT AND I OUT OF TOWN.
In His Service,
Micah
--
Pastor Micah J. Mauldin
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Texarkana, USA
www.nbbctexarkana.blogspot.com
Thursday, March 31, 2011
What is Lyme Disease? For those who want to know.
Lyme Disease is caused by the bacteria "borreliosis". The infection comes from a tick bite. I was infected when I was 22 years old. It was not until I was in my early 30's that the infection took over and my nine year battle with Lyme Disease began. The information below is from the website of a Dr. Crist, a Lyme Specialist I hope to see in the coming months. The process is extremely expensive but my church family has rallied around me and is trying to ensure that the funds are available for me to finally win a victory over this disease. I could not wish for a more loving supportive church family.
So, if you've ever wondered what is wrong with me (alright, leave that one alone!) :-), read on! I experience most of the symptoms below. In fact, the description below is a pretty fair description of my everyday life. It is a living hell.borreliosis
In many ways, borreliosis is like syphilis. Both of the germs that cause syphilis and borreliosis are called spirochetes (spiral-shaped bacteria). Before penicillin was discovered, doctors called syphilis “a great imitator” because syphilis can imitate or mimic virtually any disease. Likewise, borreliosis often mimics other diseases. This is one of the key points of this website. Borreliosis can cause any symptom and any disease. People who have not been healthy need to consider this infection as a possibility if they are trying to find the cause of their medical problems.
When the initial bacterial infection occurs after a tick bite, people may develop a rash and experience a flu-like illness. Often the rash is a red ring resembling a bulls-eye, but occasionally the rash may be red all the way across. The key is whether the rash enlarges or gets bigger, not if it is a red ring or solid red. The proper name of the borreliosis rash is erythema migrans, erythema meaning red and migrans meaning the rash migrates or enlarges. In my opinion, a tick bite followed by a rash that enlarges and/or a flu-like illness is borreliosis until proven otherwise.
Borreliosis patients with a chronic infection most commonly have pain, tiredness, brain or thinking problems, blurry vision and neurological (nerve) problems. Remember, the borreliosis bacteria may cause virtually any symptom or disease. In addition to other symptoms, borreliosis patients usually also have hypercoagulation (thrombophilia), endocrinopathies (hormone deficiencies), toxic metal elevations, deficiencies of essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, and also vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Borreliosis patients are usually low in iodine, have allergies, dead infected bone (osteonecrosis) in the jaw, have neurotransmitter deficiencies, and may have chenical sensitivities. (These topics are addressed in other sections of this website.)
Pain is far and away the number one problem for those with borreliosis. Not all patients have pain, but most do. Any part of the body can hurt, including the head, neck, eyes, ears, jaw, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, back, legs, feet, muscles and joints. This pain is sometimes worse than pain caused by surgery! Morphine may not help.
Tiredness or fatigue is the second most common symptom of borreliosis. If you divided the pain symptoms into specific categories such as headache or joint pain, then fatigue would become the number one symptom. This tiredness has often been misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome. It can be so severe that the fatigue is described as complete exhaustion. Many are so tired that they lose their jobs and cannot help at home. They may also attempt a minor physical activity like walking to the mailbox or taking out the trash and become so tired that they have to go to bed.
The third most common symptom is brain or cognitive problems. Common symptoms or diseases include memory loss, decreased mental concentration, mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, manic-depressive illness (bipolar), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), paranoia, schizophrenia, and “brain fog”.
Blurry vision is the fourth most common symptom in borreliosis, but that is with combining all of the various pains together and all of the brain or thinking problems together. The bacteria can inflame any part of the eye (causing conjunctivitis, iritis, uveitis, retinitis and optic neuritis), so having blurry vision as a common symptom is not surprising.
Finally, there are the neurological symptoms. Neurological borreliosis is also known as neuroborreliosis. Patients may experience numbness, tingling, burning, twitching, jerking, and muscle weakness. In addition, they may have seizures, and multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig disease) encephalitis, meningitis, stroke and dementia. As one neurologist who specializes in borreliosis put it, “The chapter on neurological Lyme disease is still being written.” As I stated earlier, borreliosis is like syphilis and may imitate or mimic any disease, including neurological disorders.
In addition to the above symptoms, there are “red flags” that I highly associate with borreliosis. These include memory loss, twitching around the eyes, Bell’s palsy (in which half of the face droops), tinnitus (which is ringing or buzzing in the ears), symptoms that affect one side of the body more than the other, symptoms that are worse when a patient first gets out of bed or that are worse in the winter, when patients use words like “strange” or “weird” in describing their illness, and finally, when patients have been to a good doctor (or many doctors) and yet the cause of the symptoms or disease is still unknown.
Borreliosis patients are often misdiagnosed as being hypochondriacs. They are told that they are just getting older, or that they are lazy, crazy or simply overstressed. They are often referred for counseling when actually what they really need are antibiotics. Because the symptoms can be so varied and are often so vague, borreliosis is typically not even considered for testing or treatment.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Prayer Request
Good Afternoon to all our Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you all well.
As most of you know these last few weeks have been brutal for me physically. I have battled constant seizures, muscle pain, and weakness. Many times I can offer some idea of why I'm experiencing a downturn or flare up but there seems to be no rhyme or reason. I'm experiencing one of the most difficult times I've ever gone through.
With that, as most of you know I've been forced to miss far more of our services than I'd ever want to miss. I don't ever want to miss if the truth be known! I want all of you to know that I don't take any of that lightly. Each and every absence grieves me and weighs on my heart like an anvil. I desire nothing but the best and greatest for our sweet church. I still hold great dreams and desires for us and want nothing more but to be a part of all that God is doing and going to do.
I don't begin to understand why I have to go through what I am experiencing. I do not possess God's understanding or the knowledge of all that He is trying to do in our lives. I do trust that He is firmly seated on His throne and I possess an unshakable knowledge that He loves each of us and that all of this will work to the furtherance of His will and our ultimate good.
I write this to ask you selfishly for your very special prayer. I covet them like I've rarely coveted them before. I am physically beyond what I can take. The near constant seizures have left me broken, the pain has left me shaken, and the weakness has simply left me exhausted. My heart and firm faith tells me that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing. I am forced to wonder in my mind though, how long is too long if I cannot be the pastor that our church needs. I have always promised and I reiterate again that I will never make a hasty decision to step down or resign. I do not intend to now. However, I must make a decision in the long term as to what is best for our church. If I am a hindrance than I don't want to be. If the church will be stronger and better able to fulfill her mission without me as her pastor than I must come to that decision.
I need your prayers for a few things. First and foremost, I continue to ask your prayers for healing. I accept God's plan for my life but it does not mean that I or we cannot ask Him for a miracle. I am desperate for just that. Nine years I have fought this disease. Three years we've known its identity, Lyme Disease. I simply don't know how my body can take much more. I am weary and physically broken. I beg you for your prayers like never before.
Second, I ask you to pray for wisdom for me and our church family. I don't believe that I am forced to make any hasty decision. Not a single church member has been anything but supportive. I do believe that decisions must eventually be made regarding what is best for the church and we will all need His wisdom to make those choices wisely.
Lastly, I selfishly ask your prayers for my family. The unknown of the future and the constant state of them living through and watching me suffer takes its toll. Carrie and Zachary see my pain and suffering and I know it weighs on them. They like so many of you do not fully understand what God is doing sometimes but trust that somehow He is in all of this. Little Samuel is so in tune and picks up the littlest signs of how I feel. He has learned far too soon and all too well to see the signs that "Daddy don't feel good". Sometimes when the seizures leave me in the floor, he is afraid and scared for his Daddy. He doesn't understand. If the time comes that we decide to step down, we are faced with a huge burden of lost income and though our trust in God is absolute, in our flesh and human weakness we carry the fear of the unknown and it isn't easy.
I hope and pray that I will be with my beloved church family in the morning. As always if it is within my power, I will be with you and serve you to the utmost of my ability. My love, my heart, and my prayers are always with you. I love you all. I pray nothing but God's continued grace and blessings on the New Beginnings Baptist Church of Texarkana. I love you. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.
In His Service,
Micah
* On a final note, I will be with First Baptist Church of Kildare, Texas tomorrow evening. My dear friend Virgil Ragland is their pastor and I will be his guest speaker. Please pray for that service and pray that I will be physically able to give God my best. Thanks again for all of your love and prayers.
--
Pastor Micah J. Mauldin
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Texarkana, USA
www.nbbctexarkana.blogspot.com
I hope this finds you all well.
As most of you know these last few weeks have been brutal for me physically. I have battled constant seizures, muscle pain, and weakness. Many times I can offer some idea of why I'm experiencing a downturn or flare up but there seems to be no rhyme or reason. I'm experiencing one of the most difficult times I've ever gone through.
With that, as most of you know I've been forced to miss far more of our services than I'd ever want to miss. I don't ever want to miss if the truth be known! I want all of you to know that I don't take any of that lightly. Each and every absence grieves me and weighs on my heart like an anvil. I desire nothing but the best and greatest for our sweet church. I still hold great dreams and desires for us and want nothing more but to be a part of all that God is doing and going to do.
I don't begin to understand why I have to go through what I am experiencing. I do not possess God's understanding or the knowledge of all that He is trying to do in our lives. I do trust that He is firmly seated on His throne and I possess an unshakable knowledge that He loves each of us and that all of this will work to the furtherance of His will and our ultimate good.
I write this to ask you selfishly for your very special prayer. I covet them like I've rarely coveted them before. I am physically beyond what I can take. The near constant seizures have left me broken, the pain has left me shaken, and the weakness has simply left me exhausted. My heart and firm faith tells me that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing. I am forced to wonder in my mind though, how long is too long if I cannot be the pastor that our church needs. I have always promised and I reiterate again that I will never make a hasty decision to step down or resign. I do not intend to now. However, I must make a decision in the long term as to what is best for our church. If I am a hindrance than I don't want to be. If the church will be stronger and better able to fulfill her mission without me as her pastor than I must come to that decision.
I need your prayers for a few things. First and foremost, I continue to ask your prayers for healing. I accept God's plan for my life but it does not mean that I or we cannot ask Him for a miracle. I am desperate for just that. Nine years I have fought this disease. Three years we've known its identity, Lyme Disease. I simply don't know how my body can take much more. I am weary and physically broken. I beg you for your prayers like never before.
Second, I ask you to pray for wisdom for me and our church family. I don't believe that I am forced to make any hasty decision. Not a single church member has been anything but supportive. I do believe that decisions must eventually be made regarding what is best for the church and we will all need His wisdom to make those choices wisely.
Lastly, I selfishly ask your prayers for my family. The unknown of the future and the constant state of them living through and watching me suffer takes its toll. Carrie and Zachary see my pain and suffering and I know it weighs on them. They like so many of you do not fully understand what God is doing sometimes but trust that somehow He is in all of this. Little Samuel is so in tune and picks up the littlest signs of how I feel. He has learned far too soon and all too well to see the signs that "Daddy don't feel good". Sometimes when the seizures leave me in the floor, he is afraid and scared for his Daddy. He doesn't understand. If the time comes that we decide to step down, we are faced with a huge burden of lost income and though our trust in God is absolute, in our flesh and human weakness we carry the fear of the unknown and it isn't easy.
I hope and pray that I will be with my beloved church family in the morning. As always if it is within my power, I will be with you and serve you to the utmost of my ability. My love, my heart, and my prayers are always with you. I love you all. I pray nothing but God's continued grace and blessings on the New Beginnings Baptist Church of Texarkana. I love you. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.
In His Service,
Micah
* On a final note, I will be with First Baptist Church of Kildare, Texas tomorrow evening. My dear friend Virgil Ragland is their pastor and I will be his guest speaker. Please pray for that service and pray that I will be physically able to give God my best. Thanks again for all of your love and prayers.
--
Pastor Micah J. Mauldin
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Texarkana, USA
www.nbbctexarkana.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Zachary's 16th Birthday Party - THIS Friday, 02/25/2011 @ 7 pm!!!
This is just a quick invite to any and all for Zachary's 16th Birthday Party. The party will be THIS Friday, February 25th at 7 pm at our church. It will be a simple family and friends get together. Snack foods will be served along with an assortment of deserts.
NO ONE should feel obligated to come, everyone is invited. Gifts are optional, PLEASE don't feel obligated to bring a gift. We'd just love to see your faces!
I know not everyone can come, so please don't feel the need to explain if you can't. We just wanted you to all know you were invited. :-)
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to write or call. I'll put our contact info and a map to the church at the bottom of this message. Hope you all are having a blessed week and we look forward to seeing you all Friday. We love you!
Micah, Carrie, Zachary, and Samuel Mauldin
Cell # 903 949 1003
Church address is:
New Beginnings Baptist Church
2200 Lowell Street
Texarkana, AR 71854
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2200+lowell+st%2C+texarkana%2C+ar&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq&hnear=2200+Lowell+St%2C+Texarkana%2C+AR+71854&gl=us&ei=VRdjTfXyOsq1tgeBzvXqCw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ8gEwAA
NO ONE should feel obligated to come, everyone is invited. Gifts are optional, PLEASE don't feel obligated to bring a gift. We'd just love to see your faces!
I know not everyone can come, so please don't feel the need to explain if you can't. We just wanted you to all know you were invited. :-)
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to write or call. I'll put our contact info and a map to the church at the bottom of this message. Hope you all are having a blessed week and we look forward to seeing you all Friday. We love you!
Micah, Carrie, Zachary, and Samuel Mauldin
Cell # 903 949 1003
Church address is:
New Beginnings Baptist Church
2200 Lowell Street
Texarkana, AR 71854
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2200+lowell+st%2C+texarkana%2C+ar&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq&hnear=2200+Lowell+St%2C+Texarkana%2C+AR+71854&gl=us&ei=VRdjTfXyOsq1tgeBzvXqCw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ8gEwAA
Monday, January 31, 2011
ITS SUPER PIG!!!! (NOT!)
Samuel and Peeda
I was playing with my little one today. My two year old son Samuel is a mess. He's too smart for his own good sometimes.
I had been wrestling with him, tickling him, just all around good Daddy fun. Then I picked up his favorite thing in the world, Peeda or Pigda. His stuffed pig. He LOVES Pigda, can't bare to be without him. He somehow got those two words from Piggie but I digress.
Anyway, I picked up the pig and started buzzing it at his head, pretending that Pigda could fly. I then said "ITS SUPER PIG!!!" He got this very serious and perplexed look on his face. Then the looked turned to extreme disapproval. Then he looked at me very seriously and said "He not Supew Pig, he not have a S on his chest!" Man you've got to love them at this age. Kid cracks me up!
Samuel looked at me so serious and said "Don't move or I shoot the pig!"I don't call him the "Texas Tornado" for nothing!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
White Chicken Chili - A New Mauldin Family Favorite!
The Mauldin family discovered a new, simple dish not long ago, that we just love. It is quickly becoming a favorite.
I'm sure there is a recipe on the internet but if you are a gourmet like us, buy the McCormick seasoning packets.
Here is the recipe, this is for a double batch. You can cut it in half if you'd like. Cube three large or four small boneless skinless breasts. Put a tablespoon or so of oil in a large pot. Season the meat as you like. I usually add salt, pepper, garlic powder, a bit of italian seasoning mix, and my favorite spice Kicken Chicken. It doesn't take a lot of spicy additions because the mix itself has a kick. Though not too hot. My two year will eat it but thinks it is a bit spicy.
Cook the cubed chicken on medium heat till thoroughly done. Stir frequently. No need to drain the cooked chicken.
Add two cups of water, four cans (15 oz / 16 oz) of Great Northern Beans, and TWO packets of the McCormick White Chili mix. Our Wal-Mart sells it.
Bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer for ten minutes, covered. Stirring occasionally.
Serve with a little shredded cheddar cheese mixed in or maybe a dollup of sour cream. It is awesome! Quick, easy, awesome. A Mauldin family classic in the making!
If you try it. Let me know what you think. We love it!
I'm sure there is a recipe on the internet but if you are a gourmet like us, buy the McCormick seasoning packets.
Here is the recipe, this is for a double batch. You can cut it in half if you'd like. Cube three large or four small boneless skinless breasts. Put a tablespoon or so of oil in a large pot. Season the meat as you like. I usually add salt, pepper, garlic powder, a bit of italian seasoning mix, and my favorite spice Kicken Chicken. It doesn't take a lot of spicy additions because the mix itself has a kick. Though not too hot. My two year will eat it but thinks it is a bit spicy.
Cook the cubed chicken on medium heat till thoroughly done. Stir frequently. No need to drain the cooked chicken.
Add two cups of water, four cans (15 oz / 16 oz) of Great Northern Beans, and TWO packets of the McCormick White Chili mix. Our Wal-Mart sells it.
Bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer for ten minutes, covered. Stirring occasionally.
Serve with a little shredded cheddar cheese mixed in or maybe a dollup of sour cream. It is awesome! Quick, easy, awesome. A Mauldin family classic in the making!
If you try it. Let me know what you think. We love it!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2011 Anniversaries Did you know?
Did you know that 2011 will mark:
The 400th Anniversary of the publishing of the King James Bible.
The 235th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The 175th Anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.
The 150th Anniversary of the start of the Civil War.
The 70th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor & the USA's entrance into WWII.
The 50th Anniversary of the start of the Civil Rights Movement.
The 20th Anniversary of the end of the 1st Gulf War.
The 10th Anniversary of the attacks of 9/11.
And out of place but no less significant to the history of the world:
The 40th Anniversary of my birth will be held on October 16, 2011! ;-)
The 400th Anniversary of the publishing of the King James Bible.
The 235th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The 175th Anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.
The 150th Anniversary of the start of the Civil War.
The 70th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor & the USA's entrance into WWII.
The 50th Anniversary of the start of the Civil Rights Movement.
The 20th Anniversary of the end of the 1st Gulf War.
The 10th Anniversary of the attacks of 9/11.
And out of place but no less significant to the history of the world:
The 40th Anniversary of my birth will be held on October 16, 2011! ;-)
New Beginnings - 1st Sunday of 2011 - Believing God for His Promises
HEAVEN CAME DOWN AND GLORY FILLED MY SOUL!!!
What a great morning at New Beginnings! The Word was strong and true, the Spirit was full and moving, and scarcely a dry eye in the room! People on their faces praying all over the sanctuary!!! The altar was full! We as a church are believing God for 12 souls, 12 new families, and every life in our church touched by God in 2011!
He is able and we believe!!!
What a great morning at New Beginnings! The Word was strong and true, the Spirit was full and moving, and scarcely a dry eye in the room! People on their faces praying all over the sanctuary!!! The altar was full! We as a church are believing God for 12 souls, 12 new families, and every life in our church touched by God in 2011!
He is able and we believe!!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
NBBC Year End Update and Invitation
Good New Year's Eve to one and all!
Hard to believe another year is almost behind us. Still can't quite wrap my head around the idea of it being 2011! God has been so good to us, as He always is. 2010 has been a year to remember that is for sure.
Before I get into a quick recap of our year, I want to let you know New Beginnings is having a New Year's Watchnight Party tonight. It begins at 7 pm and lasts till it is over. If you don't have plans, we'd love to have you, no matter where you go to church! You don't have to stay till Midnight by any means, stay as long as you like. We are all just bringing what we like, mostly finger food, snacks, sweets, or something to drink. We'll fellowship, play games, dominoes, whatever. We'd love to see you come out and join us if you don't have plans. I'll put a link to a map to our church at the bottom of this email.
As for 2010, it has been a year of contrasts. We started the year off really strong with a great deal of momentum. One of the highlights was our 1st Annual Block Party and Anniversary in June. It was a great success. Satan of course couldn't let all the good things go unchallenged and tried his fair share of attacks on many of our sweet and faithful people. I for one was brutalized this summer during that never ending heat wave. It was the worst physical setback I've had in a long time. Extended absences then really hurt the church's attendance and momentum. As we came into the fall season, we began to see small but steady increases in both attendance and new visitors. It never ceases to amaze me how God knows exactly what you need and when you need it! The end of this year has seen me alive with renewed physical health and vigor, steadily increasing attendance, and financial giving on the rise as well. We look forward to baptizing two in the coming weeks. God is good, all the time.
One note of praise, our financial giving hit a slump the same time our attendance seem to, late summer to early fall. Lest we get discouraged, we received an unsolicited gift of $7,000.00 to close out this year's budget. Isn't God so very, very good? I certainly stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene!!! He is forever faithful!
As for me and my family, we have nothing but praise for the One who rules our heart and lives. I am blessed with an unbelievable wife, mother to our children, and partner in the ministry. She is so much more than my right hand. She is my heart, my conscience, and my faithful partner in life. There aren't enough words in the universe to tell of what my sweet Carrie means to me. Our oldest son Zachary continues his sprint into manhood. He will be 16 in just a few short weeks. His maturity, intelligence, thougthfullness, and support are a never ending blessing to us both. He will graduate two years early this May. He is amazing. That leaves our little Texas Tornado, Samuel. So rotten, so bad, and so wonderful all in one. He is such a joy in all of our lives. I never would have dreamed God would answer those prayers for another child, prayers we'd almost forgotten we made. Yet God gave us our little late in life surprise just when we needed him and what a blessing he is. Again, God is good all the time.
Then there is our church family. Again I am at a loss for words to describe their faithfulness, commitment, love, support, hard work, and grace they demonstrate in their love for God, their church, and their pastor. It is such a joy to serve among such people. I have seen a move of God in these last few weeks in our church. A deepening in our study, a moving in our hearts in our services, and a conviction that God is in New Beginnings Baptist Church, with a purpose. I see God growing our faith and deepening our trust. He has great things in store for us!
Lest I forget so many of you, our faithful prayer warriors, encouragers, friends, even financial supporters, we could not do what we do without all that you do for us. I know that seems like a lot of do's but that is what the ministry is, doing, doing, and doing. You help make all that possible. We love you and we thank you!
Hope to see many of you friends at our church tonight. If you don't have plans already, make plans to join us. It is nothing fancy, just a good time, fellowship, food, and games. My kind of new years! Here is a map to the church:
http://www.google.com/search?q=2200+lowll+street%2C+texarkana%2C+ar&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
We love you all. Thank you for you love, faithfulness, and support. May God richly bless each of you in the coming year. May God bless the New Beginnings Baptist Church for His glory and His glory alone.
In His Service,
Micah
--
Pastor Micah J. Mauldin
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Texarkana, USA
www.nbbctexarkana.blogspot.com
Hard to believe another year is almost behind us. Still can't quite wrap my head around the idea of it being 2011! God has been so good to us, as He always is. 2010 has been a year to remember that is for sure.
Before I get into a quick recap of our year, I want to let you know New Beginnings is having a New Year's Watchnight Party tonight. It begins at 7 pm and lasts till it is over. If you don't have plans, we'd love to have you, no matter where you go to church! You don't have to stay till Midnight by any means, stay as long as you like. We are all just bringing what we like, mostly finger food, snacks, sweets, or something to drink. We'll fellowship, play games, dominoes, whatever. We'd love to see you come out and join us if you don't have plans. I'll put a link to a map to our church at the bottom of this email.
As for 2010, it has been a year of contrasts. We started the year off really strong with a great deal of momentum. One of the highlights was our 1st Annual Block Party and Anniversary in June. It was a great success. Satan of course couldn't let all the good things go unchallenged and tried his fair share of attacks on many of our sweet and faithful people. I for one was brutalized this summer during that never ending heat wave. It was the worst physical setback I've had in a long time. Extended absences then really hurt the church's attendance and momentum. As we came into the fall season, we began to see small but steady increases in both attendance and new visitors. It never ceases to amaze me how God knows exactly what you need and when you need it! The end of this year has seen me alive with renewed physical health and vigor, steadily increasing attendance, and financial giving on the rise as well. We look forward to baptizing two in the coming weeks. God is good, all the time.
One note of praise, our financial giving hit a slump the same time our attendance seem to, late summer to early fall. Lest we get discouraged, we received an unsolicited gift of $7,000.00 to close out this year's budget. Isn't God so very, very good? I certainly stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene!!! He is forever faithful!
As for me and my family, we have nothing but praise for the One who rules our heart and lives. I am blessed with an unbelievable wife, mother to our children, and partner in the ministry. She is so much more than my right hand. She is my heart, my conscience, and my faithful partner in life. There aren't enough words in the universe to tell of what my sweet Carrie means to me. Our oldest son Zachary continues his sprint into manhood. He will be 16 in just a few short weeks. His maturity, intelligence, thougthfullness, and support are a never ending blessing to us both. He will graduate two years early this May. He is amazing. That leaves our little Texas Tornado, Samuel. So rotten, so bad, and so wonderful all in one. He is such a joy in all of our lives. I never would have dreamed God would answer those prayers for another child, prayers we'd almost forgotten we made. Yet God gave us our little late in life surprise just when we needed him and what a blessing he is. Again, God is good all the time.
Then there is our church family. Again I am at a loss for words to describe their faithfulness, commitment, love, support, hard work, and grace they demonstrate in their love for God, their church, and their pastor. It is such a joy to serve among such people. I have seen a move of God in these last few weeks in our church. A deepening in our study, a moving in our hearts in our services, and a conviction that God is in New Beginnings Baptist Church, with a purpose. I see God growing our faith and deepening our trust. He has great things in store for us!
Lest I forget so many of you, our faithful prayer warriors, encouragers, friends, even financial supporters, we could not do what we do without all that you do for us. I know that seems like a lot of do's but that is what the ministry is, doing, doing, and doing. You help make all that possible. We love you and we thank you!
Hope to see many of you friends at our church tonight. If you don't have plans already, make plans to join us. It is nothing fancy, just a good time, fellowship, food, and games. My kind of new years! Here is a map to the church:
http://www.google.com/search?q=2200+lowll+street%2C+texarkana%2C+ar&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
We love you all. Thank you for you love, faithfulness, and support. May God richly bless each of you in the coming year. May God bless the New Beginnings Baptist Church for His glory and His glory alone.
In His Service,
Micah
--
Pastor Micah J. Mauldin
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Texarkana, USA
www.nbbctexarkana.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Book Review - "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo
I found out about a pretty neat program not too long ago. I could get free books if I'd agree to write a review. As a lover of books, with over 1,000 of them in my library, I jumped at the chance.
The first book I received was titled "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo. Needless to say, as a pastor I was skeptical! I thought, Oh no, not another I've been to heaven book! Beginning with 90 minutes in Heaven, the market has been flooded by books of peoples accounts of their journey to Heaven, Hell, and the Laundromat! I assumed this book would be little different and I thought I'd wind up relegating this book to the "not worth my time" pile. I was wrong.
"Heaven is for Real" is a a heartwarming, simple, and surprisingly biblical glimpse into a little four year old boy's journey into Heaven. Colton Burpo was four year's old when he found himself at death's door. His family didn't realize he had made his amazing journey until small but shocking revelations that amazed and bewildered his parents began to leak out. Colton didn't just have one sit down conversation, he let his journey be known one startling revelation at a time.
How could this little boy know these things? How could he know about relatives who had died long before he was born? How could someone so young offer such amazing insights into Heaven, Christ, and the glories that await Christians? How could he know things he'd never been taught and couldn't know?
As I mentioned before, I'm a skeptic at heart. A book like this one wouldn't likely catch my attention and certainly wouldn't win any praise from me. So many books like these are fanciful, unbiblical, and simply outright inconsistent with what I know to be true from the Bible. Colton Burpo's story was a refreshing and surprisingly accurate portrait of what awaits each of us whose destiny is Heaven. I read the book with a critical eye, looking for those little details that would prove this story to be at best inaccurate or at worst a fraud. I couldn't find them. His tale seemed honest. His descriptions fit the way a child would describe things, not one whose words had been fed him by an adult. Some of his revelations were simply amazing!
Who would be blessed by this book? I'd honestly say almost anyone. If you've recently lost a loved one or maybe you are a mother who has lost a child to miscarriage. You can find something here that will warm your heart and quite possibly help ease your pain. This book is a sweet, touching, and amazing story. I think you'll be blessed by it.
That said, you might wonder if I found anything in the book I didn't agree with. That's a tough question. I found nothing I'd say was blatantly wrong or in direct contradiction with the scriptures. There were a couple of things that made me raise my eyebrow but I can't quote a verse that says Heaven couldn't be like that, just a couple of things that didn't fit my expectation or interpretation of what Heaven would be like. Those things might make you wonder but I think you'll find they don't detract from what this book is meant to do, strengthen your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and maybe just maybe long for Heaven just a little bit more.
Hope this review helps you make your choice of whether or not to pick up a copy of this book. I'd recommend you do.
Micah
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The first book I received was titled "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo. Needless to say, as a pastor I was skeptical! I thought, Oh no, not another I've been to heaven book! Beginning with 90 minutes in Heaven, the market has been flooded by books of peoples accounts of their journey to Heaven, Hell, and the Laundromat! I assumed this book would be little different and I thought I'd wind up relegating this book to the "not worth my time" pile. I was wrong.
"Heaven is for Real" is a a heartwarming, simple, and surprisingly biblical glimpse into a little four year old boy's journey into Heaven. Colton Burpo was four year's old when he found himself at death's door. His family didn't realize he had made his amazing journey until small but shocking revelations that amazed and bewildered his parents began to leak out. Colton didn't just have one sit down conversation, he let his journey be known one startling revelation at a time.
How could this little boy know these things? How could he know about relatives who had died long before he was born? How could someone so young offer such amazing insights into Heaven, Christ, and the glories that await Christians? How could he know things he'd never been taught and couldn't know?
As I mentioned before, I'm a skeptic at heart. A book like this one wouldn't likely catch my attention and certainly wouldn't win any praise from me. So many books like these are fanciful, unbiblical, and simply outright inconsistent with what I know to be true from the Bible. Colton Burpo's story was a refreshing and surprisingly accurate portrait of what awaits each of us whose destiny is Heaven. I read the book with a critical eye, looking for those little details that would prove this story to be at best inaccurate or at worst a fraud. I couldn't find them. His tale seemed honest. His descriptions fit the way a child would describe things, not one whose words had been fed him by an adult. Some of his revelations were simply amazing!
Who would be blessed by this book? I'd honestly say almost anyone. If you've recently lost a loved one or maybe you are a mother who has lost a child to miscarriage. You can find something here that will warm your heart and quite possibly help ease your pain. This book is a sweet, touching, and amazing story. I think you'll be blessed by it.
That said, you might wonder if I found anything in the book I didn't agree with. That's a tough question. I found nothing I'd say was blatantly wrong or in direct contradiction with the scriptures. There were a couple of things that made me raise my eyebrow but I can't quote a verse that says Heaven couldn't be like that, just a couple of things that didn't fit my expectation or interpretation of what Heaven would be like. Those things might make you wonder but I think you'll find they don't detract from what this book is meant to do, strengthen your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and maybe just maybe long for Heaven just a little bit more.
Hope this review helps you make your choice of whether or not to pick up a copy of this book. I'd recommend you do.
Micah
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Negligent Blogger
I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted on my blog. These last few months have been a whirlwind of medical issues, doctors, a hospital stay, new medicines and just trying to stay afloat!
I promise to get back in the groove again! We've had over 3700 visitors to this blog since we've started. I guess I'll have to get in in gear again if I want to pass 4000! :-)
After a brutally hot summer things are finally cooling off here in Texarkana. I love fall and hope this weather lasts for a while.
This summer saw the church go through the typical summer doldrums but we've seen things begin to pick up a bit as we come into the fall season. I'm sure my off and on absences due to illness haven't helped our attendance but I'm hoping a new regimen I'm on will get me back in the saddle the way I hope to be. I won't know for another couple of weeks whether it is really going to work but if it doesn't I'm planning on changing doctors. So, prayers appreciated on that.
The family continues to do well. I turn 39 on the 16th, so that means Samuel will officially hit the 2 and 1/2 mark! I can't believe my little man is already 2 and 1/2. Wow does it go by fast! Zachary is continuing his blazing path through high school. He is well on his way to finishing all of his high school curriculum by May of next year. This will mean he graduates at 16. He is one smart cookie! He'll go to school locally at first but if all goes well, he'll be able to move on to a bigger school somewhere else when he turns 18. Mom is just hoping it isn't Harvard or Stanford, they are MUCH too far away! :-)
I'm re-reading my favorite book of all time. It is called "The Problem of Life with God" by Tommy Nelson. It is an easy to follow, easy to read overview of the book of Ecclesiastes. He takes what could have been a dry difficult text and makes it come alive. No other book in my library, and I have over 1,000 books, begins to mean as much to me as this one book. I've given it to friends who are hurting, struggling, or grieving. It has never not helped someone understand that life with God is not always easy but it is always worth it. I hope to share some thoughts from the book as I go along in the weeks to come.
I'll have some new pictures of the family in a few days. Some folks have been badgering me for those. I'll do my best to get back in the saddle as I should! Praying God's best for you and yours.
In His Service,
Micah AKA "The Heavy Revy"
I promise to get back in the groove again! We've had over 3700 visitors to this blog since we've started. I guess I'll have to get in in gear again if I want to pass 4000! :-)
After a brutally hot summer things are finally cooling off here in Texarkana. I love fall and hope this weather lasts for a while.
This summer saw the church go through the typical summer doldrums but we've seen things begin to pick up a bit as we come into the fall season. I'm sure my off and on absences due to illness haven't helped our attendance but I'm hoping a new regimen I'm on will get me back in the saddle the way I hope to be. I won't know for another couple of weeks whether it is really going to work but if it doesn't I'm planning on changing doctors. So, prayers appreciated on that.
The family continues to do well. I turn 39 on the 16th, so that means Samuel will officially hit the 2 and 1/2 mark! I can't believe my little man is already 2 and 1/2. Wow does it go by fast! Zachary is continuing his blazing path through high school. He is well on his way to finishing all of his high school curriculum by May of next year. This will mean he graduates at 16. He is one smart cookie! He'll go to school locally at first but if all goes well, he'll be able to move on to a bigger school somewhere else when he turns 18. Mom is just hoping it isn't Harvard or Stanford, they are MUCH too far away! :-)
I'm re-reading my favorite book of all time. It is called "The Problem of Life with God" by Tommy Nelson. It is an easy to follow, easy to read overview of the book of Ecclesiastes. He takes what could have been a dry difficult text and makes it come alive. No other book in my library, and I have over 1,000 books, begins to mean as much to me as this one book. I've given it to friends who are hurting, struggling, or grieving. It has never not helped someone understand that life with God is not always easy but it is always worth it. I hope to share some thoughts from the book as I go along in the weeks to come.
I'll have some new pictures of the family in a few days. Some folks have been badgering me for those. I'll do my best to get back in the saddle as I should! Praying God's best for you and yours.
In His Service,
Micah AKA "The Heavy Revy"
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Assorted Christmas Pics
The smile says it all!!Thought I'd post some of our Christmas pics. I know I'm only a month late, but oh well. :-) I have some pictures of Carrie too, but she won't let me post them. She got a Snuggie for Christmas, a bright blue one. She looked like a smurf in all her pictures.....a very cute smurf, but a smurf none the less. I wanted to go on living, so I didn't post them. :-) Here are some more!
Both our boys really enjoyed Christmas!
Daddy.....Christmas WORE me out!
Check out my new Duds I got for Christmas!
I know he'll hate us later, butt man is this picture cute!!!
Daddy, I have no idea why I'm getting all these new toys, but I'm LOVING it!!!
Even my BIG baby still loves Christmas!
Why wrap all the presents, when you can just wrap the kid!Proof positive we don't need to spend all that money on toys!
SOBBYS!!!!! (Samuel's word for dinosaurs...he used to say Saurs,now Sobbys....I have no idea where he got Sobbys!) :-)
Daddy.....how could you ever be mad at this face?
Who ME?Samuel fighting the sleepy monster!
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