Everyone I've Ever Known

How many people have you known?

I started keeping a journal again on March 14th of this year (2024).  In it, I don't write about mundane activities, just those that relate to my spiritual, mental, emotional, and social well-being.  Yes, there will be a few facts in there that are significant, but mostly those that promote wellness.

Recently I was speaking with one of my mentors about it  Their suggestion was to not only include significant thoughts, activities, and emotions, but I should actually do something they found meaningful.  They suggested I write down the names of every person I have ever known.  Yes, EVERY person.  That sounded like an impossible task to me, but I thought I'd give it a try.

I tried to just make a list but that became too cumbersome. After a little bit of trial and error, I decided to use a spreadsheet. The first hundred names were easy. Then, started thinking of names on the way home, while I was in bed, and at different weird times around the clock. Out of nowhere, I would suddenly think of an old high school chum or one of my school teachers. Genuine friends, saints, and jerks are all on my list.  Now I carry a pen and notecard with me 24/7, for that long-lost person who's name pops into my brain.

I decided I needed to add some parameters. For example, what does it mean to know someone? How well do I have to know them? I also found that people easily fell into different categories.

For this project, I define someone I know as someone whom I've had a relationship with. Meeting them once or twice does not count. I had to have some significant interaction with them. That relationship could be work, family, church, business dealings, etc. These are the categories I have so far are... Acquaintance, Business, Church, College, Doctor, Family, Family Friend, Friend, High school, Hobby, Hunter Safety, Neighbor, Pet, and Work. Yes, I have included our family pets, as they brought us joy, excitement and frustration.  As I go, I may add or change any of these categories, but that is how I am starting.

As of this writing, I have 366 names from childhood to today.  The columns are Full Name, First Name, Last Name, Category, and Comments.  Doing it in Excel, lets me separate Full Name into Last and First with a formula. I also enter in Category and Comment.  Using Google Sheets allows me to edit it anywhere.  Having all of these columns allows me to sort them in different ways to make sure I am not missing something, or someone, or have duplications.  The Comment section allows me to add any significant details.  This is what it looks like: 

What I have found are two important things.  When I add a name, it frequently prompts me to think of someone else from that time frame to add to the list.  Most importantly, in the comment section, I can select and write significantly about those whom I am grateful for or hold resentment against.  That way I can thank or forgive them.  This list so far has brought up some important moments of reflection for me. I'm finding the suggestion that my mentor gave me is proving to be a valuable one.  

More updates on this project down the road.

gus

Wise Women

This meditation I received today from the Center for Action and Contemplation really touched me. In the paragraph below, "Ever since I was a young girl...", could have nearly been my statement if a few things were changed.  Continue reading, and at the end I will add my final comments.

From Franciscan Richard Rohr, who suggests that there are good, beautiful, and true gems worth holding on to. At the same time, there are many unhelpful and even harmful parts of what has passed for Christianity that we need to move beyond. In his Daily Meditations, Father Richard helps us mine the depths of this tradition, discerning what to keep and what to transcend.

Friday, June 14, 2019, Feminine Incarnation, Wise Women, For the full posting go here.

Today’s reflection is by Mirabai Starr, drawn from her article in the Center’s spring newsletter and her new book Wild Mercy:*

Ever since I was a young girl, I have been irresistibly drawn to every religion I encountered. Born into a non-religious Jewish family, I had embraced multiple spiritual traditions by the time I was twenty and integrated them into my daily life: a deep devotion to an Indian saint, a daily Buddhist meditation practice, initiation into multiple Sufi lineages, a reclamation of the ancient beauty of my ancestral home in Judaism, and an unexpected friendship with Christ through the mystics, whose words I have since translated. Each of these paths has comingled in my being, creating a rich and robust spiritual soil.

Final comments
I rewrote this paragraph from my perspective,

Ever since I was a young man, I have been irresistibly drawn to every religion I encountered. Born into a less-religious LDS (Mormon) family, I had embraced multiple spiritual traditions by the time I was twenty-five and began to integrated them into my daily life: a deep interest in Buddhist meditation practice, investigation into Taoism, a reclamation of the beauty of my ancestral home in Mormonism, and an unexpected friendship with Christ through the (Catholic) saints, the Blessed Mother and modern theologians such as Nouwen and Merton, whose words I have since contemplated. Each of these paths has comingled in my being, creating a rich and robust spiritual soil. It is my desire to use this fertile soil to grow into a deeper relationship with my Father and begin to bless others like I have been blessed. - g. koerner


* Mirabai Starr, Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics (Sounds True: 2019)

Image credit: Our Lady of Guadalupe (detail of the original image as it appeared on the tilma or cloak of Juan Diego when he experienced a vision of Our Lady on top of Tepeyac Hill, outside of Mexico City). The tilma is enshrined within the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

What is Standing In The Way of You Reaching Your Peak?

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with this phrase repeating itself through my mind, Don’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of reaching your peak!

I am not one to believe that dreams are special premonitions that come from God or a psychic realm. Yes, I do believe that God can influence our thoughts and dreams, but we may be just as likely to have certain dreams because of stress, past experiences or something we consumed that gave us a reaction, like pepperoni pizza.

I do have some idea of what inspired this post. Recently I received a copy of my Social Security benefits and projected retirement earnings. The summary was very inclusive from the year I first filed taxes at age eighteen until last year. In the chart you could see the gradual increase in annual earnings from then until now. It was very interesting.

Let's look at the following graph. It is fictional and generic, and could represent many different things.

The points on the graph could represent the stock market, home finance spending or the number of tomatoes you picked in the garden. Consider this. Is it possible that the graph could represent even a wider range of ideas for growth and decline? Could it represent human virtues such as happiness, spirituality or self-confidence?  I think it can.  Let us suppose this scenario for an example using the human trait (or way of being), Self Confidence.

Let us say Point A is when I was nineteen years old, and had all the hope and confidence in the world. I climbed through life until point B, where I was laid off from my job. At Point C I found a new source of employment until I discovered I wasn't emotionally fit for that line of work (D). Point E represents another beginning, going toward Point F which represents the future.

This could all hold true, but it is also very subjective. We cannot quantify emotions simply by the numbers, and we could have just as appropriately used Emojis on the vertical axis, like they do now for measuring pain in the hospital - but I think you understand my point.

If we spend some time contemplating our personal (or familial) growth or happiness we can begin to see trends. Using the information that comes to us from within, counseling with others and from the Still Small Voice of God we may be able to make different choices that can stem-off potential future low points in our lives.

Now back to my question. What is Standing In The Way of You Reaching Your Peak? Is it life style changes that need to be made, or relationships that need to be mended? Perhaps a job change or restructure is in order, or you need to re-evaluate your social and family life priorities. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that doing the same thing over and over brings us the same result, and until we're ready to raise ourselves up to new heights by making new and different choices, we can expect the trends to repeat themselves.


gus

Today I Failed As A Minister

Today I feel like I failed as a minister of the Lord. I had the opportunity to share my testimony and strength to a person in need but instead I got pulled down into their sorrow. I related my own story of grief to them, in all my humanness, but feel I failed the offer them strength and hope in their moment of need. Where do I go from here?

I suppose that is why God meant for us to have enduring, long lasting relationships with our neighbors so that we can perhaps make a difference over time.

We all at some point go through periods of grief, anger and frustration but it is how we respond to those feelings after we realize our humanness and once again seek a more divine path. May we all be blessed on that journey.

Considering Contemplation

A while ago i discovered that I am contemplative (verb), and even perhaps a Contemplative (noun). I know this only because of my likeness to those who call themselves that. In reality I don't truly even know what it means to be one. Follows is a textbook definition of the word and a series of quotes to describe the process. At first I thought one had to be lonely to contemplate, but for me that is not necessarily true.

Merriam Webster definition of contemplation: 1. concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion, 2. an act of considering with attention, 3. the act of regarding steadily

What Contemplation is not. It is not a relaxation exercise. Whilst it may contribute to one becoming relaxed, this is simply a side effect. Contemplation is therefore not a technique but instead, prayer. Contemplative prayer is not a charismatic gift. Contemplative prayer is not a Para psychological phenomenon such as precognition, out of body experiences, levitation or other extraordinary sensory or psychic phenomena. (Contemplation involves centering prayer) Centering prayer is a method of moving this developing relationship with God beyond words, beyond thoughts to the level of pure faith. - Thomas Keating Source

Below are a series of quotes that evolve from being straightforward to heady and lofty. I get lost somewhere in the middle.

Simple Thoughts on Contemplation...

“Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.” - Lao Tzu

“A man must find time for himself. Time is what we spend our lives with. If we are not careful we find others spending it for us. . . . It is necessary now and then for a man to go away by himself and experience loneliness; to sit on a rock in the forest and to ask of himself, 'Who am I, and where have I been, and where am I going?' . . . If one is not careful, one allows diversions to take up one's time—the stuff of life.” ― Carl Sandburg

“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.” - Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Complex Thoughts on Contemplation...

“Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening; This is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.” ― Mother Teresa, In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories and Prayers

“To broaden one's prospective is to push back the swirling winds of ignorance.” ― Joel T. McGrath

As we come to grips with eternity, our mortality and our relationship to God and others it causes some of us to stop and think and to consider restructuring our lives to be centered on what is most important. For me what is most important is my relationship to God and others. This is where I am and some of you may be too. God bless you in your journey. - gus

Where have I been? Water for everyone.

Last night I headed to the store to pick up family groceries to carry me and my wife over for a few days. Drinking water was not on my grocery list. As I drove down the road about 9 PM, my default radio station was on NPR and I listened to BBC Radio, World Hacks, The Sun Water Solution and I asked myself, Where have I been?  Why didn't I know this?  What can I do so share this information to the masses?  Perhaps this is a start.  Please listen to the story or check my sources.

This is a story about how the most amazing ideas do not always work how you would like in practise. In theory it is so simple. You put disease-ridden water into a two litre plastic bottle, screw on the lid and leave it in the sun. After six hours on a cloudless day, almost all the bacteria and bugs that cause diseases like cholera and diarrhoea are killed or inactivated by the UV light and gentle warming. Professor Kevin McGuigan has proven this in the lab, but for the last 20 years he has been trying to get it working in rural African communities. It has not been anywhere near as easy as you might think.

Sources: 

• About the author of this article Dr. Kevin McGuigan, director of the RCSI Solar Disinfection Research Group, Ireland,  Link
• Wikipedia, Solar Water Disinfection, Link
• SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) started as an initiative of Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Sciences and Technology. Link
• SODIS from the CDC (U.S, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Link

Rust, A Metaphor To Consider

Recently I've had this fascination with the removal of rust by electrolysis, which is simply the passage of an electrical current through a liquid. In the process, positive and negative ions go back and forth between electrodes for the purpose adding or removing surface metal. My purpose is to de-rust old tools making them usable again. It is an easy and fascinating demonstration of chemistry in action!  See my instruction story August 13.

Also lately, through discovery of my unawareness, I found rust is also a commonly used metaphor for slow decay due to neglect, since it gradually converts robust iron and steel metal into a soft crumbling powder.

Similarly to iron, men and women can go through their own process of degradation when exposed to toxic elements that come our way such as chemicals, toxic thoughts and unhealthy relationships.  The Bible, other holy texts and sound advice from wise people warn us about this, but sometimes we become tainted and tarnished before we even realize it.  Then what do we do? 

Given sufficient time, oxygen, and water, any iron mass will eventually convert entirely to rust and disintegrate. Surface rust is flaky and friable, and it provides no protection to the underlying iron, unlike the formation of patina on copper surfaces. See the examples of rust accumulation on the tools below and the four descriptive stages. As you read the stages, consider the human rust equivalents.

Stage One - Deposits on the surface of the metal with a red, black or white coloration will form. This will be partnered with a small amount of etching and pitting. At this stage, the rust is attacking the surface of the metal. The rust can be treated easily with either sand blasting or chemically cleaning.

Stage Two - This rust now takes on a powdered or granular condition. Scaling can develop as flakes of metal become loose and fall off. The base metal will still be unaffected at this stage; therefore, the metal can be easily treated with sand blasting or chemical cleaning.

Stage Three - The surface appearance of stage three rust is very similar if not identical to the appearance of rust in stage two, except that the underlying decay will be more severe. The base metal in the areas of corrosion will have been compromised; small pinholes may be present. At this stage, the metal must be repaired after it has been cleaned and primed.

Stage Four - Stage four rust represents corrosion and decay that have developed to a point at which the base metal has been completely penetrated and removed. No metal will remain at the points of corrosion in stage four. Extensive repair will be required after the metal has been cleaned and primed. 

I have experienced that long term ever-so-slow decay in my life and with others.  With God’s help He has been able to reverse that process by divine electrolysis and we can experience spiritual renewal. We must stay vigilant to all things good and uplifting, so as to not become unusable by the Master Craftman. 

In the Bible, book of Matthew 6:19-20 it reads, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (NIV) As Pastor M. Collins, Church of the Great God, SC writes, "Rust" represents anything that "eats into" and destroys things more durable than clothing. In this parable, it has a wider application than mere iron oxide. Once moths and rust settle on an object, they gradually eat their way from the exterior to the interior. Thus, beyond their ability to destroy physical objects, moths and rust represent the decay of a person's life. An 8th century English Clergyman, Robert South, referring to guilt (a toxic substance) says this, Guilt upon the conscience, like rust upon iron, both defiles and consumes it, gnawing and creeping into it, as that does which at last eats out the very heart and substance of the metal. 

May we all be sensitive to elements and situations that will corrode and degrade our fragile humanness, especially the children and others whom we associate and care for.

gus

Holiday Greeting To My Friends at B.O.S.S.

Merry Christmas to my friends at B.O.S.S.!

I just wanted to check in and wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I like to check in every year or so, and as I've mentioned in the past - in 1979 I was a student in the month long BYU Youth Leadership 480, Course D-12 under Doug Nelson. It changed my life to this day. I was inspired to attend by my Dad, Karl Koerner who attended two years earlier, and at the time was the oldest person to complete the course at age 56. Wow - I'm 57! Where have the years gone?

Some of my life long memories of the course include:

• My 7-day solo spent in an overhang on the Escalante River. That inspired me to devote much of my adult life to study the outdoors, ecological theology, and share that with others in my career.
• To this day I still remember scrubbing my big #10 can in the river every morning and on my way back up the mesa would collect more Brigham Tea. One day a baby Rattlesnake greeted me by my shrub, so I gave him his alone time and found another bush to harvest.
• I remember laying by my fire, eyes fixed upon Polaris and through the night watch the Big Dipper rotate around that fixed beacon that always points north.
• I remember starting my fire in the first 30 minutes of my solo and while blowing on the embers getting a piece of glowing ash on my arm. I have a scar to this day, and it’s a sweet reminder of my days in the desert.
• Thanks to technology, I've deduced the location of my solo spot is N 37.774437° W -111.423868°
• I remember my ~13 mile run in from the river basin into Boulder. I think I came in 1st or 2nd! When I got to Boulder I called my family from the payphone for a nickel!
• I remember sharing pot holes of water with my brothers and sisters on our small group week. One of my buddies later got Giardia.
• I recall my breath taking traverse through Devil’s Canyon, knowing Butch Cassidy and his gang might have followed the same route.
• I’ll never forget my deep gratitude to God and for the sacrifice the sheep made of his life to feed our large group.

Does any of this ring a bell to you?  Since then I’ve had a number of friends and family attend the course upon my recommendation and it made a profound effect on their lives too. Professionally I work in Youth Development through the University of Florida 4-H Program. Here is a synopsis of the program I developed, in part by my experience with BOSS.

The Youth Ecology Series (YES!) is a unique University of Florida / IFAS / Brevard County Extension 4-H program for youth ages 10 to 16. The mission of YES! is to teach and inspire young people to learn about and conserve their natural outdoor environment with a combination of hands-on, classroom and field activities. The goal of YES! is to give young people a broad overview of our natural ecology and tangible skills to thrive and participate in nature and an appreciation for the methods of sustaining our fragile ecosystem. Side benefits of the program include having fun, meeting new people and getting to know some of our local outdoor treasure sites, organizations and related programs.

If any of you would like to participate in a consulting role to my programs I would welcome it. Feel free to share this letter, or parts of it with your staff and alumni. Give them my best and tell future participants they can do it! and are part of something very significant and that the program you deliver is having a positive effect on its students and beyond. 

Blessings to you all. 

Gus

Notes To My Inmates

I think I am the only Correctional Officer who does this. If not, like to meet other officers who do, and that have a passion for re-entry.

Everyday when I come into the dorm at 0600, at my first opportunity I leave an inspirational thought for my inmate residents. I jot it down on a piece of scratch paper and tape one copy to one side of the dorm, and another copy to the other side. I also write one more copy of it in my journal. The thoughts come from where ever - literally. Sometimes they are a quote I heard the day before, or they may come from my devotional time that weigh heavy on my heart and mind. I've been doing this ever since I started and I plan on continuing. Even though I am a by-the-book policy and procedure guy, there is no policy on this and inspirational thoughts I'm sure would be approved. The embedded images are some of the notes I get back from my inmates.

Why do I do it? As of June 5, 2016, 63% (92 of 145) of my dormitory residents will be released from their prison sentence by the year 2020. Will they be ready?  Is there anything we can do, indeed something I can do to help them in their successful re-entry back into society to help them be employed, responsible, caring and law-abiding sons, fathers and husbands. That is why I do what I do.

My guideline for notes to inmates is that it must be applicable to all. If it is religious in nature, which my notes sometime are, they must be acceptable to all faiths. The faiths represented in my dorm right now include several Christian denominations, Jewish, Islam, Wicca and Buddhism (that I know of). 

This is what my last note said:

Faith and Family

Faith and family are two things we should hold dear and value the most. What can you do today to strengthen these? A letter? A prayer? A thought? A phone call?  Think about it.

Follows is another note back from one of my inmates...

Not A Saint

If Christians are considered “saints”, then why don’t I feel it?
A Saint I ain’t?
Just a sinner, a man, nothing more.
Trying to hold on to the belief that Christ bore all for me.

Unworthy.

When confusion's my companion
And despair holds me for ransom
When I'm caught deep in the valley
With chaos for my company

I will feel no fear
I know that You are near
I'll find my comfort here
‘Cause I know that You are near

My help comes from You
You're right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders. (Shoulders, by King & Country)

Bless those who've caught the vision,
Realized the blessing, found their mission.
As for me, still searching.
Some days better than others. But I’ll continue.
Finding, lending strength with my brothers.

24 hrs later - I realize this story is kind of dark.  Forgive me please, I am what I am; but I also know we're all SO blessed.  We deal with our past, but there is a bright side.  Know there is.  Hang in there if you've felt similar.  Find a good friend to talk to. Say a little prayer.

- gus

Photo Credit: Saint Andrew the Apostle by Yoan from Gabrovo, 19th century.

Thank you for Tomorrow

It's been a while since I posted last, and I try to remind myself of the primary purpose of this blog. This is my journal that I share with others.  Although sometimes my ego gets the best of me and revels in the fact that a particular article may get a few hundred "reads", this journal is to record my thoughts and feelings.  If others can relate to what I write, or find some comfort in my words that is all the better.

The following poem is on the dark side, but don't get confused with my words - I'm filled with joy.   Sometimes I just have days of contemplation where I wonder of could or could have done something different to reach my full potential.  I put my faith in God and my best to do the next right thing.  I look back on my past as a text book to learn from, not making the same mistakes again, and repeating behaviors that bring joy to me, my family and others.

The Man I Could Have Been (Thank you for tomorrow)

Father, help me to be true to myself, to others.
Help me to follow in Your ways and not look back,
Help me to see and tend to the needs of my brother.
Help me to love another as You loved me.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

Been the son that was always there,
The brother to my flesh,
The friend of those who befriended me,
A loyal man to prove the test.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

If I could have worked harder on being a good father.
Studied more for the degrees that keep the score.
If only I could have been the man who loved my wife,
Like Christ loved the Church more than His life.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

Thank you for tomorrow.

Gus Koerner, July 7, 2015.

Easter Review

I cannot let this Easter day pass by without writing what it meant to me.  After all, it is the day our Lord was resurrected, arose from the dead after three days in the tomb.  He is risen!

This had been one of my most memorable Easter seasons in my life, starting with Ash Wednesday.  On Ash Wednesday, we attended a service at church and departed with a charcoal cross on our foreheads, having made a Lenten sacrifice i.e, "giving up something" for Lent.  I gave up nothing.  Instead I took on a daily devotion to the process and leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

This has been a 40 days of inner reflection and thoughts of the future and the past.  I've asked questions such as why has God called me to teach in prison?  How can I have a positive impact on my students, in not only attaining their G.E.D., but on the rest of their lives? Is this a calling or just a job?  Are my Mom and Dad proud of me and are they watching over me?  Or are they just dead?

How am I supposed to serve in the ministry?  Should I just keep serving as a Lay person or become ordained as a Methodist minister?  How can I have a positive impact on my children when they live so far away?

Does every Dad and person contemplate these deep questions or similar?  I don't know.

As Easter comes and goes, soon it will be summer and the clock keeps ticking, and the calendar turns over day by day I will continue to reflect.
How do I make the Easter season of 2015 come alive for me? Where am I supposed to go with it, and what can I do to share the love of Jesus Christ to my neighbor next door and the prison inmate closed in behind razor wire?

Side bar - there were two inmates stabbed at my workplace today according to the news.  I don't know the story behind it, but it has affected my Easter Sunday in a way that few can understand.

Keep following along with me and experience my journey with me.  I'd like that.

Photo Credit: My wife Sandy from the Max Brewer bridge in Titusville, FL.  Used with permission.

Just Before the Last Supper

As Good Friday approaches I contemplate the last days of Jesus Christ before he was crucified.  In particular this year, I have compassion for Judas, yes the Betrayer of our Lord.  If he had not given Jesus up to His pursuers, someone else would have and then we would be blaming them.  Was Judas a necessary part of the eternal plan?  I don't know.  How did he feel afterwards?  (I'd love to read your comments on this.)

The Gospel of John 13:1-2 (NRSV)

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him.  Shortly after this, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and broke bread with them, knowing in advance of the betrayal.

I wrote this poem, considering the plight of Judas Iscariot, and the guilt he must have felt.

"Cinder blocks tied to my ankles, ropes bind my hands.
I sink below the surface, feet down to the sand.
I stretch to reach the light above.
Gasping, but not enough air.
God help me up and free me, out of this despair."

I'd also like to share some of the words of this song How Can It Be, By Lauren Daigle which is popular right now on Christian radio.

I am guilty

Ashamed of what I've done, what I've become

These hands are dirty

I dare not lift them up to the Holy one

You plead my cause

You right my wrongs

You brake my chains

You overcome

You gave Your life

To give me mine

You say that I am free

How can it be

How can it be

I cannot leave this story on a guilt laden note of sorrow, because it does not end there!  The story continues in John 13:31 to verse 35 and gives us The New Commandment...Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Jesus shows His disciples, even Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter who betrayed Him that His love was greater than the price of their betrayal.  Shouldn't we do the same?  Can I do that?  God please help me, not for my sake, but to follow you and be a Christ example to someone who does not know Him.

A Family Prayer

Every family has challenges great and small, but if they come together in faith, the hardships become more manageable and the bond can be made stronger. Even in major hardships such as death and divorce, we need to seek help from our Father in heaven to minimize the hardship and pain, and have faith and hope for a better day ahead. In my poem you'll see how I mention the perfect example Jesus gave to us, how we are all human and need to forgive ourselves and others. That is what I wish to express. I hope you get something from it. - gus

Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Please bless our family now.
Relieve us from our humanness,
The ties that hold us down.

As nature reflects Your goodness, love,
Let us see Your loving face.
Upon our needs and deep desires,
Let us feel and share Your grace.

Giving and forgiving is your example shown.
Selfless love for all to receive,
Shown by Your life, and on the cross,
A gift for all who need relief.

And Father one more thing.  Please bless us and our washing machine. It doesn't agitate, but we do. Thank you. Amen

Knots for Malaria No More

Yesterday on Twitter @guskoerner, I announced that I would be selling all my paracord wares with 70% going to Malaria No More, but I didn't have room or time to explain the details.

A CHILD DIES EVERY MINUTE FROM MALARIA - Malaria claims the lives of 483,000 children per year—90% of those in Africa. That’s 1,300 kids who lose their lives to a mosquito bite every day.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not a corporation, Bill Gates type or big NGO.  I'm just a normal guy, trying to make a difference.  Please be a bit patient with the outlay of this, as it will improve daily.

Point 1, Malaria - Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting and headaches. In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma or death.These symptoms usually begin ten to fifteen days after being bitten. In those who have not been appropriately treated disease may recur months later. In those who have recently survived an infection, re-infection typically causes milder symptoms. This partial resistance disappears over months to years if there is no ongoing exposure to malaria.  See the whole Wiki article on Malaria.

Point 2, I'm a knot tyer, which is an art I am perfecting.  I use the finest US made products, do each piece of jewelry by hand and my best to satisfy my customers.

Point 3, I am donating all my labor and just charging for the basic materials and shipping, with the balance going to Malaria No More.  That's it.

Complications that may concern you.

• My prices may change slightly. - Response,  I've never done this before, and I have to set a price point that's not too low or too high, and deal with shipping near and far.
• Lag time.  I am only one guy right now making these items, expect 2 to 4 weeks for delivery.
• Web presence - I'm not a web master, just a guy who operates a blog.  I'll do my best.
• Sales.  All sales will be through PayPal, Square, Cash or Money Order.  1 bad check could wipe out needed money for Malaria from bank fees.
• My guarantee.  You'll be satisfied with the product.  It will be at a competitive price. The money will go where I say it will.  At the end of the project I'll publish a summary of expenses and donations.
• My cut.  I have to pay for things that cost me, so if you do the math and take the total price of an item like a key ring for example, $4 plus $2 shipping, know the item cost me about a $1 to build.  That actually works out to 75%.  Discounts will be given in shipping for multiple items to the same location.

That's all I can say for today.  Keep checking this site for more pictures and information, and God bless you for caring enough to check it out.

Questions?  Leave a comment below.

-gus

What is your North Star?

This story is about acknowledging the positive aspects of our lives, and finding a reliable "compass" or way to guide us.  For those who believe in God, it is about surrender and discipleship.  For non-believers, it is about finding positive role models and life attributes to follow and look toward.

Sometimes when life becomes challenging for us, we need to look beyond our current situations and try to envision the “big picture”  or overall life perspective of the situation, detach ourselves from the anxieties of now and look to a power greater than us to give us strength and direction.

My journal entry from September 29, 2014, 9:00 PM at the prison where I work.

I’m on Outside Perimeter Post tonight at the prison, driving in circles around the outside fence making sure everything is secure.  It’s a rainy night, and it has been drizzling all day long, kind of melancholy, and in a moment of contemplation I wrote this:

What is your North Star?

Lately I've been thinking a lot at night about the stars in the sky.  Spending most of my time in the city nowadays, it’s been a long time since I've seen a clear starry night.  I can’t even remember the last time I went outside and searched for Polaris, the North Star.

For centuries explorers and navigators on both land and sea have used the stars to guide them.  The 16th century explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the first person to circumnavigate the globe, traveled over 37,000 miles.  He primarily used celestial bodies, such as Polaris and seasonal winds to find his way and lead other countless travelers to do the same.  This accomplishment established trade routes that helped civilization develop and grow that we still use today.

In the absence of these guiding lights in the sky, how would he have done this?  He possibly could have done it without these navigational aids, but chances are he would have spent countless weeks or months wandering about not knowing where he was or which direction he was going.

We don’t navigate by stars anymore, at least us city dwellers.  We have roads, maps, and speaking GPS navigators on our phones and at our fingertips, taking us to our destination literally turn by turn.  But metaphorically, what are we using as our Polaris to lead us through life?  Some of us are driven in a certain direction by career, family, money, ambition, education or similar; some of us by religion or politics.  Ultimately all of these drivers are just temporary guides that change.  They are proven to be inconsistent, flawed, of less significant value and can potentially misdirect us.

The North Star doesn't move.  It’s in the north sky and is, and always will be a reliable guide.  I think of God this way.  When my life gets misdirected and my priorities get misaligned it’s because I've taken my eyes off God, the North Star of the Universe and replaced it with something less reliable (usually worry).

Here is a Bible verse in John, chapter 14 that hit me like a rock!  1. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me (Jesus)… 5. Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me. 

So if your life is lacking direction or if your compass has become misaligned, consider switching to the Great Navigator, God to provide direction and see how that works for you.  May you be blessed in your journey. - gus

PS. If you like this, comment below and share it with a friend.  Meet me on Twitter @guskoerner

All Things Good

Sometimes we just need to count our blessings.  A few years ago someone gave me a Catholic Rosary.  I held it and it brought me comfort when I was sad.  I didn't know how to "pray the Rosary" like Catholics do, so I just went around each bead and named a blessing of mine, then another and another.  One for each bead.  I named each of my children, my legs, my home, my truck, etc, simple things and complex things.  I named things that made my life better, comfortable; things that if I didn't have my life would be a little "less good".  In the end, I found myself going around the rosary three or four times naming all good things in my life.  So in this story I am counting my blessings.

My definition of All Things Good: Words that describe good things, words that transcend race, religion, economic status, geographic location and gender; things that make the world a better place.  If a specific person, place or thing is mentioned, it must be of significant influence to have changed the life of millions of people, such as Gandhi, or Christmas.  Yes, I am a Christian, but this isn't a christian list.  I want it to go beyond one belief system - so words like Jesus, a flower and physics can all be together, because they all make our world better.

Yesterday the world learned of Journalist James Foley being killed by terrorists, so I added the word Journalists.  When you consider what they do, they bring the public news, the truth of what's going on in the world, and we should be thankful for that.  Each word below can be thoughtfully considered in that manner. This list is in response to all things bad going on right now.  We need to count our blessings.

All Things Good is an ongoing project, and my initial goal is 365 words or one to ponder each day of the year.  All contributors will be mentioned when it's complete.  Thank you for your assistance.  So far 25 people are contributing to this list, worldwide. 

Note to Editors and Contributors. - Please leave your comments in the comments section under the post, or email me directly guskoerner@gmail.com.

All Things Good
347 listed, as of 29 September 2014
_____________
A Job
A Kiss
Accomplishing A Goal
Advocacy
Air Conditioning
Airplanes
Anniversaries
Annual Leave
Antibiotics
Antiseptic
Apologies
Appreciation
Art
Assembly Lines
Assistants
Awards
Awareness
Bacon And Eggs
Bacon Cooking Smell
Beauty
Beds
Being Yourself
Berries
Bible, The
Big Trucks
Birthday Cakes
Blessings
Blue
Boats
Boots
Brand New Babies
Bravery
Brotherhood
Bubble Bath
Butterflies
Buy One, Get One Free
Campfires
Candle Light
Cardinals
Cast Iron Cookware
Chairs
Character
Chastity
Cheap Gas
Cheerfulness
Children
Christmas Day
Christmas Eve
Church
Civil Rights
Clean Sheets
Cleanliness
Coffee Smell
Colleagues
College Football
Cologne/Perfume
Comfort
Communion
Community
Compassion
Computers
Confidence
Conservation
Consolation
Conversion
Conviction
Cool Water
Counseling
County Fair
Courage
Courtesy
Cows
Creativity
Crisp Apples
Croaking Frogs
Cushy Carpet
Cushy Chairs
Dad, Fathers
Dawn/Sunrise
Deliverance
Demilitarization
Deodorant
Determination
Dignity
Diligence
Discernment
Discovery
Disposable Diapers
Doctors
Dusk/Sunset
Earth
Earth Worms
Easter Baskets
Einstein
Electricity
Encouragement
Engineering Marvels
Faith
Fall Leaves
Family
Fast Cars
Favorite Songs
Fern Plants
Fertile Soil
Finishing A Book
Finishing A Project
Fire Extinguishers
Fire Flies
First Day Of School
Fishing
Fitness
Flowers
Food
Forgiveness
Found Money
Freedom
Friendliness
Friendly Debate
Friends
Friendship
Front Porch Swing
Fruitfulness
Fruits
Full Moon
Games
Gandhi, Mahatma
Gardening
Giving
God
Good Books
Good Ideas
Grace
Graduation
Grandkids
Grandma
Grandpa
Grass
Gratitude
Growing
Hands
Health
Health Insurance
Heart
Helpfulness
Holiday Lights
Holiday Songs
Holy Spirit
Honest Conversation
Honesty
Honey
Honor
Hot Chocolate
Hot Shower
Hotdogs
Humanitarianism
Husbands
Ingenuity
Innovation
Insight
Intercession
Intuition
Jesus Christ
Jokes
Journalists
June Bugs
Jubilation
Justice
Kids
Kindergarten
Kindness
Kittens
Koran or Qur'an, The
Labor Day Holiday
Life
Light Houses
Light Rain
Listening
Little League
Locks
Long Talks
Long Walks
Love
Love Notes
Loyalty
Mac And Cheese
Maps
Mathematics
Mechanics
Medicine
Meditation
Ministry
Mom, Mothers
Moon
Moonlight
Mosquito Repellant
Motivation
Mouse Traps
Music
Naps
NASCAR
National Public Radio
NBA Playoffs
New Car Smell
New Pencils
New Snow
New Socks
New Year's Eve
News
Nice Bosses
Nurses
Oak Trees
Obedience
Old Friends
Olympics, The
Open Doors
Optimism
Orange Blossoms
Our Flag
Pain Relievers
Paper
Parenting
Partners
Passing away of someone in pain
Pastors
Patriotism
Pay Day
Pay Raise
Peace
Peace Talks
People
Personal Letter Received
Pets
Phones
Pizza
Policemen and Women
Popcorn
Positive Role Models
Prayer
Progress
Promises Kept
Protection
Protectors
Puppies
Puzzles
Quiet Time
Radio
Rain On A Tin Roof, The Sound
Rainbows
Reasoning
Receiving
Reconciliation
Recycling
Relief
Resolve
Respect
Responsibility
Rest/Sleep
Reunions
Reverence
Road Trips
Roads
Sacrifice
Salvation
Saving
Science
Seat Belts
Second Chances
Secrets Kept
Serenity
Service
Shelter
Sick Leave
Sight
Singing out loud without reserve
Sisterhood
Skinny Jeans That Fit
Sleeping Children
Small Business
Smart Phones
Smell
Smiles
S'mores
Snow Days
Snow Men
Sobriety
Soldiers, including all branches
Solidarity
Song Birds
Sound
Spare Change
Spices
Sprinklers
Stars
Stewardship
Success
Summer Vacation
Sunday Dinner
Sunrise
Sunset
Super Bowl
Talking
Tall Tales
Taste
Tears Of Joy
Testimony
Thank You Cards
Thanksgiving Dinner
The Beach
The Red Cross
The Word "Please"
The Words "Thank You"
Theme Parks
Thinking
Thrift
Toilet Paper
Toilets
Touch
Traditions
Trees
Trust
Truth
Unity
Vaccines
Valor
Vegetables
Veterans
Volunteering
Vows
Waffles
Walking
Warm Sand
Warm Soup
Warning
Washing Machines
Water
Water Fountains
Water Parks
Watermelon
Wealth
Wedding Rings
Weekends
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Wildlife Spotted In The Outdoors
Wives
World Cup Soccer
Worship

New Sun On The Horizon

New Sun On The Horizon

A couple has formed, their relationship new, where nothing can go wrong for the sweethearts two. A few years pass, and suddenly what was cute is now not so much.  The cuddling at night is now barely a touch.

Harsh words are spoken, sweet gestures gone. One thing leads to another and they wonder what went wrong. Trust is broken, hearts saddened, love dwindled, yet they both hope it can be rekindled.

So they come together with a hope to mend something that was never meant to end. The strife between a husband and wife can pull the joy right out of life.

But when the two strive to be one, a new beginning has begun and they can start to see the rays of the sun.

Gus Koerner August 13, 2014, 11:40 pm

I Used To Hate Christian Music

There was a time in my life that Christian music turned me off.  If it came on the radio, it would immediately get changed, to more than likely country or NPR.  Then one day, one of my best friends Gayle, a University of Florida County Extension Agent was going on and on about this group Avalon, and how they were playing in Orlando.  As I recall, it was about October 2005, and I think she even got out of a work detail to go see them.  Because of that interaction with Gayle, it made an impression causing me to to think, "hey, if she thinks they're this good, I'll give it a listen."

When I finally heard the song Testify to Love, it made such a deep impression that I'll never forget.  The song means to me, the very crutch of what it means to be a Christian.  For Mr. Gus, being a minister of the Lord, a Christian, an evangelist, a pastor or chaplain or a good neighbor (in the biblical sense) means simply that I testify to love, showing Christ's example in everything I do.  It's not about living within the confines and structure or a particular religion, but following the example of the world's ultimate example of love. Since that time I have grown to love Christian music for what it represents, namely nurturing a relationship with God, showing gratitude for all things including challenges and taking care of what matters most which is our relationships with others, especially family.

Thank you Gayle for your witness to Christ by publicly sharing your passion for music with your colleagues at work.  I'm forever grateful that you testified to love.  Below are the lyrics, credits and how you can buy the song.

Testify to Love

by Avalon

All the colors of the rainbow
All the voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation
Lives to testify

Chorus
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences
When words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love

From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the sea
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the hope in every heart will
Speak what love has done

Chorus 3 times

Writer(s): Henk Pool, Ralph van Manen, Robert T. Riekerk
Copyright: Universal/Mca Music Holland B.V.

Album: A Maze Of Grace, available on iTunes, Play Store or your favorite music vendor.  Google the song, and it will pop up on YouTube to hear it for free.  Like this link.

How much does sin weigh?

This is going to take a couple of days to write, so please stay with me.  Recently I have been thinking about the cost of our sin(s) to others in real, measurable terms.  Can this be done?  Can we actually quantify our misdeeds?

I couple of scriptures come to mind on this topic:  

• For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:30
• The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death. - Proverbs 10:16 
• For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23

I have a background in science, so I like to measure things.  When we want to know the temperature, weight, length or height of an object, there are tools to measure it.  And the tools we have to measure things can be compared to a standard set aside in some government office for reference at any moment.  Our economy runs on that principle.  You would never purchase gas at the pump or buy a bunch of bananas without having some way to measure what you want.  That just wouldn't be fair.

In moral terms its not that easy.  I realize that when we sin, err, mess-up or hurt someone else God will forgive us, he has promised us that.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9  If only other people were that easy to forgive.  When we sin against someone else it hurts them, sometime deeply.  But how deeply, how bad?  How serious of a sin was it?  For example, is a kick in the shin equal to verbal insult?  We'll examine that in the days to come.  I'd love to hear your comments.

April 26 -

After considering this topic carefully, I decided to stop at this point at least for now.  The thought process behind it was, "How can we take away someone else's pain that they're going through because we hurt them?"  God will forgive us, that's without question.  People can forgive us to, or at least they can do their best and try.  The trouble is people we hurt causes sometimes unforgettable pain, and even though they say they forgive the other person, memories creep back and thus comes the pain again.

I guess all we can do is our best, and pray that the other person may be relieved of their pain or sorrow.  Most important perhaps is that we learn a lesson from this, love the other person and pray for strength not to sin again.