Celebrating 22,222 Days of Life; Maybe Life is as Simple as Knowing & Counting 0,1,2,3!!!
That is a whole lot of days- 22,222!
We can’t remember them all but somehow do remember the milepost days and form a narrative around them that becomes our life story, at least to ourselves.
Maybe life is as simple as knowing and counting 0,1,2,3 you say?
Knowing what? Counting what?
For me, my way of life, which has emerged as “The Rest of My Life,” or the acronym T-R-O-M-L (pronounced “Tee-ROM-El”; sounds like ‘Tomorrow’) and being my ‘Splendid Spiritual Self’ all started with a knowing, contemplating, and living out a bible verse:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” —Psalm 90:12
I knew I wanted wisdom. I knew I wanted to live a life with heart, all my heart.
So I started counting my days…
Yes, counting my days all the way back to Day 00000… when Mom & Dad somehow expressed their love for God, each other and family in mid-January 1959 in Binghamton, New York.
The high for the day was 46 degrees, the low only 39, no appreciable precipitation and no snow on the ground! Amazing what you can google these days!
Being the youngest of six we can assume my five older siblings, the oldest being nearly 10, were soundly asleep in our tiny house at 2 Florence Street. With maybe a touch of spring in the air, step, and heart rather then a primal need for warmth in the dead cold of winter. Two years earlier to the day the record low of minus-20 degrees was set in Binghamton. That would be my kid sister!
Either way we know, or should know, realize, and worship the day we came to life along with the day we entered the world all grown up and developed as a newborn baby! Day 00000 as I mentioned above.
Day 11111 or as I would say in TROML speak; a little bit past 11 ‘thou-days,’ 11 thousand-days is a little bit harder to know precisely what was going on in my life. Google: ‘What was Andy doing on June 17, 1989?’
Official Army Records, Annual Reports, and lots of Jimmy Fallon?
Add last name and get ‘Golf is Mystical in Myrtle Beach,’ my Facebook page, and my Twitter account!
Still not relevant… pre-September, 2nd, 2000… pre-TROML… will have to go to the calendar notes!
By the way, TROML is a dynamic self-realization process; a 17-day journal-based go-within ongoing exercise that leads to the discovery of one’s ‘Splendid Spiritual Self (SSS).’ My SSS is “GOD’s TROML Baby of Joy & Gratitude!” Not a bad assignment for the rest of my life, hopefully another 30 years or so, and then ‘Beyond What Seems to Be.” Bit that is another story, another article, maybe my first spiritual YouTube video under the ‘TROML2020” umbrella?
Back to June 17th, 1989 or thereabouts…
This was a time of great spiritual growth in my life. Suffice it to say I believe Roman Catholics are ‘born again’ in the normal process and application of our religion. I felt the stirrings of Christ within me at a young age and took actions on the belief that he was my personal Savior. Far beyond knowing right from wrong and accepting myself as being imperfect, religion was a big part of our family and a big part of me, the part I could go to within and find peace, comfort, and strength as a little boy, young man, and an adult male in this crazy secular world of ours.
But in the years surrounding 1989, it seemed as though my religious and spiritual worlds were exploding in a good way to places deep within me and places far beyond me into all of Eternity. These new beginnings would carry me through the world of being a man, a husband, and a father; through the deaths of my father and mother in 1993 and 2001 (the night before September 11th) respectedly, respectfully, and respectively; and be transformed into the writing of my first spiritual book “LOVE, TROML (The Rest of My Life), and The Pursuit of Eternity” in 2005.
The ‘Pursuit’ always being bold and in italicized print knowing it is elusive, never fully achieved or conquered in this life for we are not GOD, we are only human beings in pursuit of knowing, loving, and trying to be GOD’s instruments in what we call ‘life.’
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” —Psalm 90:12
Day 11111 in the narrative of my life symbolically occurred in September of 1989 in Rochester, New York.
Ironically the chair that the inward procession of Christians led me to was exactly on top of the pitcher’s mound in the now demolished Silver Baseball Stadium.
I found myself at a ‘Billy Graham Crusade’ and remember how vivid my relationship and conversations with GOD were at that time and for the most part in the days afterwards up until today.
While I did not respond through the staged altar call, I did respond with all my heart, emotion, intellect, and soul much like my father did through televised ‘Billy Graham Crusades.’ A lifetime spiritual journey is the path for all Christians, no matter their denomination or abomination. GOD has it and all of us in control.
So what does Day 22222 represent? Where is the wisdom? Where is Andy’s heart?
As best I can tell, as best as I know, ‘it’ being the third step in my simple life, the second that I had anything to do with, is all wrapped up in ‘TROML 2020.’ All wrapped up like the tenderloin in prosciutto and puffy pastry of the ultimate Beef Wellington I made for dinner last night.
TROML 2020 is a 10-point life objective centered around the 20th anniversary of TROML and SSS on September 2nd, 2020. Some points having been accomplished, some ongoing, and some yet to be started. In the big picture, TROML 2020 started with last winter’s ‘Spiritual Journey to Israel and Palestine,’ continues with more Bible and Life studies, and culminates in a third spiritual book with an associated YouTube Channel.
GOD willing, of course.
I can only hope to be here for Day 33333 in April 2050! Would that not be a beautiful Spring Day somewhere in the world?
Remember that we are in a digital world now and everything begins with nothing. Even counting now begins with a zero!
Even though our humanity and spirituality makes counting unlimited, life here on Earth is limited.
Keep it simple, especially in difficult times, take a breath and hopefully we can all count 0,1,2,3!
GOD Bless you!
A salute to ALL veterans on Veterans Day with thoughts of gratitude for your service to our country. A special prayer for the women & men in service right now, especially those in harm’s way. My Dad (lower left) and five of his brothers (Uncle John was killed in the Battle of the Coral Sea), all four of my Mom’s brothers in WWII, my brother, brother-in-law, many of my cousins and a younger generation all served or are serving with honor, bravery & pride. Thank You to ALL our veterans!
Today is the 7,000th day of TROML, the dynamic, spiritual, self-realization process I began, have been developing & perfecting since September 2nd, 2000!
My second visit to ‘Jesus Junction’ in Atlanta’s Buckhead District… this time to The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip… serving Atlanta and the World!
Here are my notes from Reverend Chandler’s Sermon: In the name of God: The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit… the gospel is clear that we can not serve two masters “but of course we all do…” The word ‘Mammon (
Gospel Parable where Jesus praises dishonest manager who fudged the books to make friends (develop relationships)… deeper lesson… money/gold is not the final station (in life)… relationships/friendships should be our Gods!
In the name of God: The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit… while I agree that there is one God for all; including a conversation with a Muslim in Israel this past winter; in reality my God includes Jesus, the Resurrection, and The Holy Spirit. Note how Reverend Chandler greeted his congregation!
1 Timothy 2:1-7: “”First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, 2 for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. 3 This is good and pleasing to God our savior, 4 who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
Luke 16:1-13: “Then he also said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. 2 He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ 3 The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ 7 Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ 8 And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. 11 If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? 12 If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? 13 No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Old Fashioned Sunday School” Contemplating Christ: How to Become a Mystic without Really Trying!
This week, we will look at the dramatic story in Genesis 2 and 2 of Adam and Eve and their exile from the Garden of Eden. Canon George Maxwell will talk about what this story tells us about ourselves and where we should look for the God of love that we long to know.
Although I missed the first session, Canon Maxwell made a statement along the lines that he had to start in the middle of the story last week and this week would be the beginning and all the pieces would fall into place. For me they did!
This class on the “Myth of Eden” will not address history, rather what is happening inside of us all the time! This is how God works within us; the pattern of God’s behavior.
Where is God in that moment of our lives? The ‘you’ you think of you is being threatened. Fear; who do we rely upon? It should be God but usually it is not!
My thoughts and spiritual awakenings:
I know that a church is not the building, that it is the people and community inside and outside… but there is something about worshiping in a Cathedral that makes it extra special; sort of like going up to a mountaintop, seeing the view and feeling closer to God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit!
The First Reading (Exodus where Moses convinces God to be lenient with His people); the Second Reading (First Timothy where Paul who once was Saul and a persecutor of Christians knows that the grace, faith, and love of and in Jesus has strengthened himself into a righteous man), and the Gospel Reading (Luke and The Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke) were a perfect setup for the powerful homily of Rev. Monsignor Frank McNamee. The three readings are included below.
The Prodigal Son was a repentant sinner. Even if we don’t have a father like his, Our Father, Our Creator, God the Father can forgive us! Just like he did His stiff-necked chosen people that were worshiping another god after being brought out of Egypt to freedom.
I also realized the tie between Paul’s reference to grace in the Second Reading and the singing of Amazing Grace at the end of mass… the words rang true to me maybe for the very first time… Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear… And Grace my fears relieved… How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed…
Exodus 32:7-11: “Then the Lord said to Moses: Go down at once because your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, have acted corruptly. 8 They have quickly turned aside from the way I commanded them, making for themselves a molten calf and bowing down to it, sacrificing to it and crying out, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 9 I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are, continued the Lord to Moses. 10 Let me alone, then, that my anger may burn against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation. 11 But Moses implored the Lord, his God, saying, “Why, O Lord, should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a strong hand?
1 Timothy 1:12-14: “I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. 13 I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. 14 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
14 When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 15 So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 16 And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. 17 Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18 I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
20 So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.
25 Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27 The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30 But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 31 He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
Rock ‘n Rolling Worship with Andy Stanley last Sunday at Buckhead Church in Atlanta! The last Sunday in a 6-part series entitled: “Love, Dates, & Heartbreaks!” Yes, quite apropos as I have known all three in pursuit of that special someone to celebrate the rest of our lives together! Although I only witnessed the last of six sermons I feel like it was a summary and quite comprehensive of all six!
“There is a Purpose for You Even When Your Dreams Can’t Come True.” Onward with TROML 2020!
“Follow Jesus because of Who He Is and What He has Already Done!!!”
David becomes king only to have his son overthrow him. His future goes dark once again as he is a fugitive and on the run. He sees the Ark of the Covenant and people loyal to him want him to take it along with him. But this time he sees the light, refuses and submits 100% to the Will of God and surrenders his own will! “He did not anchor his faith to the fulfillment of his dreams!”
PRAY: “I offer You my dreams and plans. Do to me whatever seems good to You. I acknowledge Your right to rule. Your Will be done in me!”
The ‘Overcomer’ Movie is the best Christian Redemption movie that I have ever seen except for some Biblical Jesus films portraying the Gospels!
