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This Is My Story – Update #1

January 2010

On May 21st of last year, I posted, This Is My Story.  Now, seven months later, I think it is time for an update.  This update will focus on how this new blog is going, some future ideas for the blog, as well as what’s been going on in my life for the past seven months.

The Blog

If you were a part of this blog back in August of ’09, then you know that I made a big announcement back then.  I decided to make my paid membership site, Enriching Your Life Now, free to all those who subscribe to this blog.

Previously it was a $19 a month membership site.  I made the decision to give total access to anyone who subscribes for free to this blog.  The “Enriching” site is loaded with tons of great content: articles, audio and video Pep Talks, Pepcasts, Bible teachings, videos, and a whole lot more.

Even though I am not adding content to the “Enriching” site on a regular basis, I do add some things there from time to time.  Now, anyone who subscribes to this blog, which is free of course, gets a free lifetime membership to Enriching Your Life Now. In other words, you get total access to everything on that site!

By the way, as a side bar here, another great benefit of being a subscriber to this blog is that you don’t have to bookmark this site, because as a subscriber you receive notification every time I post something new. I think that’s pretty cool.  You receive each new posting either by RSS or email.  It looks like most of our current subscribers prefer email.  Personally, that’s what I prefer too.

Statistics For This Blog

The statistics for this blog have been encouraging to me.  Last January and February, in preparation for launching “Confidence And Joy,” I posted over a dozen articles.  I then began to add a few things in March, but really began posting on a regular basis in April.

As of January 1 of this year, this site has received nearly a half a million “hits.”  The number of subscribers is now starting to grow, especially after I offered the total access to the “Enriching” site. The feed back I am getting is very positive.

My purpose in doing this blog is to reach people with some great information that will be helpful and beneficial for those who don’t want to live their lives in fear.  I wanted to make available some really practical content that would be helpful in having more confidence in God.

By the way, I like reading the comments that our readers leave when they have something to say about a specific posting.  However, it seems like a lot of people who come to this site are still a little bit shy about leaving their comments.  Now, don’t be shy.  Tell us what’s on your mind.

So, as of today, I am going to continue and see how things go. Plus, I have some ideas of some other things I might do on this blog.

In my mind, for those who come to this site on a regular basis, whether from a bookmark or as a subscriber, I like to think of all of us as a family.  This is a place for our “Confidence and Joy” family to hang out.  Perhaps in the future we may have a forum.  I’ve also thought about a special place on the blog for you to put your prayer requests, so the rest of us can join with you in prayer.

I am considering putting the podcasts on iTunes, and, I have a few other ideas.  Maybe you have some ideas of what you’d like to see on the blog so that we can interact more?  For now, you do have a voice in the comment section of each and every post.

Employment

2009 was a very interesting year for me.  It’s the first time since I was sixteen that I began a “New Year” being unemployed. (If you have read This is My Story, then you know that I was laid off in December of ’08 from CBS radio in Phoenix after 16 and half years.)

My wife and I have looked at each on many occasions during this past year and said, “How have we made it?”  It really doesn’t make sense.  Unless of course, you factor God into the equation, in Whom we have trusted and relied upon.  Kathy and I both know how we’ve made it; it has been by God’s great grace and mercy.

The radio industry has radically changed over the past three years. (Maybe I should do a podcast about that and explain some of what’s going on in that industry.  What do you think?  Do you want to know about it?)

Add to that the current economic situation our nation is facing.  Across the country, literally thousands, both “on air” and other personnel have lost their jobs in the last two years in the radio business.  For that reason, I chose not to pursue an all out nationwide radio employment search.  I just felt things were too volatile.

However, I have applied for and considered radio employment possibilities, both locally and in other parts of the country, but nothing solid has panned out.  I have not yet seen an open door in that arena.  That may happen in the future, and if it does, then I will certainly ask God for His help, guidance, and direction.

In the meantime, I am continuing to pursue freelance voice work.  As with so many things in our present economy, those one-time jobs have been pretty few and far between.  In addition to seeking out public speaking engagements, I am also continuing to pursue TV commercials, both on camera and off.

Bookkeeping?

Of all things!  Are you kidding me?  For years I have told people that many times when a person loses their job, they end up doing something that they never dreamed they would be doing.  Well, hello – here I am!

A very dear friend of mine started a company this past summer and asked me to be the bookkeeper.  I said, “Billy, I’m not a bookkeeper.”  And he said, “I know that.  But I think you’ll do a good job.”

We’ve been close friends for nearly twenty years.  I was very grateful to acquire employment, but I certainly had my work cut out for me.  I began to study and learn the software program, Quick Books.

When I started working, there were really only two employees, in addition to myself. Over the past six months, God has blessed this company.  We are now up to fifteen employees.  Yes, in this economy, God still has solutions.  The economic mess is still a mess, but God is not out of business.  His bank isn’t busted!

So since this past summer, my bookkeeping has taken a good portion of my time.  It is a blessing to work out of my house.  But if you ever have worked out of your home, then you know you have to be disciplined.  I mean the kitchen is just right around the corner!

Personal Projects

I have also had the pleasure of doing some speaking engagements.  Of course I will always speak “pro bono” at any veteran’s meeting, if I have the time.  I love doing that; it’s a small way to show my deep gratitude and appreciation for all of those who have served our country.

I am still speaking on the fifth Saturday of the month at the Phoenix Rescue Mission, as well as on Sundays at our Glendale Fellowship.  And, from time to time, I am invited to other events.  This month in fact, I am going to Spokane for a winter conference for a whole bunch of young people.  Right on!

As December came to an end, I made arrangements for my book, Healing from God is Available, to be listed in paperback on Amazon.  Previously, it was self published back in 2004.  It is still available in paperback, as an eBook, and in audio form on my web site.  Details are found in Mikes Stuff.

I have some other projects on the burner that I hope to get moving on sometime soon.  Life, for me, is exciting. Oh, of course it has its ups and downs, but I am truly excited about living life and staying busy.

I wake up every morning and I thank God for three things.  First, I thank Him for eternal life.  If there was no eternal life then what would be the point of anything?  Life would really be pointless.

Secondly, I thank Him for forgiveness.  If there was no forgiveness that would just be awful!  Would you like to spend eternity feeling guilty, ashamed and condemned?  Me neither!

Thirdly, I thank Him for a new day; thank Him that I am alive; thank Him that I have another day to live!

A New Year

Kathy and I are very grateful to all those who have shown us such love and kindness during what was one of the most challenging of our 38 years together.  I can’t put into words our gratitude and appreciation and what the love extended to us has meant to us.  We know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has, and continues to work in people to help and bless us.

And even though we are still, like a lot of people, taking things one day at a time, trusting God each day, we continue to look forward to bigger and greater days ahead.  God continues to work in us to help and bless people, and we look forward to having more to give.

So, here we are at the start of a brand new year; 2010 has arrived.  But really, each day is a brand new day.  If you haven’t watched the short video that I put up a few days ago on New Year’s Eve called Happy New Year, please check it out.

Of course I am expecting a great year.  Why not?  Aren’t you?  What about a great month?  What about a great week?  And, what about expecting to have a great day, today?

Why not expect today to be the greatest day of your life so far?  Why not?

Mike Verdicchio
January 2010

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Do Things Really Happen for A Reason?

Have you heard the phrase, “Everything happens for a reason?”  I have.  Sometimes people say, “That was just meant to be.”  But is that really true?

Does everything really happen for a reason?  I would answer that question both yes and no.  I answer, “No” to those who mean that no matter what happens, God has a reason for either allowing it to happen, or, as some believe, making it happen.

I answer, “Yes” because there is a cause and effect.  The result is the effect, and the reason it happened is the cause.  Let me give you an example.

Let’s Go For A Drive

Almost every driver knows that for their car engine to operate properly it car-2needs to have the proper amount of oil.  If it runs out of oil, it will ruin the engine.  So, if someone’s engine gets ruined for a lack of oil, was that just meant to be?  Don’t things happen for a reason?  Yes, and in this case, the reason was a lack of oil.

Hopefully, for that example, most will agree.  But let’s try another example.  I’ll stay with the automobile for this next example too.

Suppose you have a flat tire. Was it just meant to be?  Everything happens for a reason.  But, what if someone stops to help you with your flat tire and over the course of the changing of the tire, you say something to that person that really helps them?

Now there are some who will argue that the flat tire happened for a reason.  They actually believe that God had a hand in it.  Why?  Because He wanted you to be at a precise location at a precise time so that you could say something to someone that would really help them.

What About Free Will?

To some people this sounds like a very godly and spiritual event.  I disagree. With that kind of thinking, we have driven off the road and are now trying to drive in a lagoon.  It’s a sinking theory, because it negates the free will that God gave us.

Suppose that you were so upset or distracted with the flat tire that you didn’t flat-tirespeak anything to the person helping you, other than, “Thanks for the help.”  Did this event still happen for a reason?  Did God really have a hand in it?  Some people will argue, “Well God knows if you are going to speak to the person or not.

Now I know this debate has been around for a long time.  And I am certainly not going to try to present a thesis on it in this short article.  But regardless of what opinion you have on the subject, ask yourself this question:  If God knows what I am going to do, and what I am going to say, then do I really have any choice in the matter?

If that is true, then indeed, everything is meant to be.  And perhaps that’s the reason why everything happens; it is all just meant to be.  But that leaves the door wide open for lots of unaccountability.  “There must be a reason why I robbed the store; I guess it was just meant to be!”

God Is At Work

Don’t get me wrong, I really do believe that God can and does get involved in the affairs of mankind.  I also believe that His thoughts and His ways are far beyond the thinking of mortal human beings.  I have seen God work in my life in remarkable ways.  I am sure you have too.

I also know that God works in individuals on a personal level.  His guiding is there.  There are times that you just know you should do something, and other times that you shouldn’t.

Those who excel at this are those who, wherever they are and whatever they are doing, have a habit of asking God if there is something that they should or could do.  I do understand that and I try to live that way.

But I just think we need to be careful about what we blame God for. The word “blame” may sound a bit harsh, but think about it.  It’s all too easy to say, “That flat tire happened for a reason,” all the while thinking that it was God Who made your tire flat for a reason.  If you are speaking on God’s behalf, you ought to be really certain that you are accurate!

We cannot just throw away the free will that God gave to us.  In all of life we have choices.  We can choose to be negative or we can choose to be positive.  We can choose to help people or we can choose to ignore them.  And we can choose to ask God if there is something special that He would have us do or say.

So, yes, everything does happen for a reason.

Mike Verdicchio
2009

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Healing From God

A Quick Saturday Post

In 2004, I published a book called, Healing From God Is Available. That book has really been a blessing to many, many people.

Shortly after I published it, I decided to record it.  I didn’t really know when, or even if I would publish the recording.  But I have decided to go ahead and make the recording of that book available as a download.

It’s Now Available

As of one hour ago, Healing From God Is Available in audio form can now be purchased.  If you are interested, when you get to the actual web page, there is a link to order either the eBook, or the audio download.

By the way, the whole reason I wrote the book in the first place was that I really do believe that healing from God is really available.

Have a great weekend,

Mike Verdicchio
Healing From God Is Available

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A High School Teacher Imparts A Lesson

This Wednesday is Veteran’s Day. I am planning a very special post for that day. I will be doing a video about something that I did on my radio show for many years on Veteran’s Day.

I think that it’s a great idea to say, “Thank you,” whenever you see a veteran, but especially on Veteran’s Day. This Wednesday, express your gratitude to our veterans.  When my dad was alive, I used to call him on Veteran’s Day to thank him for his service to our country.

This morning, I thought you might enjoy reading a true story about a high school teacher in Arkansas and what she did to teach her students.

Enjoy this story.

It Happened In 2005

Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten.

On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

Looking around, confused, they asked, “Ms. Cothren, where’re our desks?”

She replied, “You can’t have a desk until you tell me what you have done to earn the right to sit at a desk.

They thought, “Well, maybe it’s our grades.”

No,” she said.

“Maybe it’s our behavior.”

She told them, “No, it’s not even your behavior.”

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom. By early afternoon, television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren’s classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the classroom devoid of desks, Martha Cothren said, “Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he or she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom.

Now I am going to tell you.”

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall.

By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place, those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.

Martha said, “You didn’t earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it’s up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don’t ever forget it.”

Sometimes we only hear the bad news.  But there are a lot of really good teachers out there.  Maybe they are not as dramatic as Martha, but many of them are doing their best to really teach the children.

In fact, one of my neighbors, Len, has been a teacher for many years. He has a wonderful heart for his students. I am thankful for all those teachers who are truly helping our children.  God bless you!

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Is Opportunity Knocking Or Waiting?

CB033972Sitting here at my computer this morning,  thinking about opportunities.  I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “Opportunity is knocking.”    I once heard someone say that opportunity doesn’t knock; it waits!  I like that.

But I don’t like the phrase,  “Opportunity only knocks once.”  Now, you may miss an opportunity, but I don’t believe that every person is only allotted one opportunity in life.

Many People have Lost Hope

In these uncertain days we live in, there are lots of people who feel like there are very few if any opportunities available.  Many think that times are so difficult that opportunity for success has just vanished away.  Einstein once said that in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

The real question is not, “Are there any opportunities left?”  Rather, “Are you ready for a great opportunity for your life?”  You certainly won’t be if you’re just accepting things the way they are right now.

There are opportunities.  There are possibilities.  There are solutions!

What Makes Me So Sure?

How can I be so sure that there are lots of opportunities available?  I believe the Bible is bible-2true. And God promised that He would supply all our need.  He also promised to make all grace abound toward us so that we could have all sufficiency in all things, and abound.

And He even promised beyond that by saying that He is able to do for us that which is exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think.  How then could there not be opportunities for you and for me, despite what is going on in our world today?

So What Are You Expecting?

If your focus is on all the difficulties and you convince yourself that there is no hope, you would not even recognize an opportunity if it fell right in your lap.  That would be a missed opportunity.  But, even if you have missed an opportunity, start looking and expecting another!

So, are you ready? Are you expecting?  Are you anticipating?  Are you looking?

God is still a God of abundance and He still has unlimited resources.  Keep praying and asking, and, keep looking and expecting.

And, if you haven’t read the book, “Who Moved My Cheese?”, you ought to read it.  It offers a very timely analogy to the days we are living in.

Have a great day, and keep your eyes open!

Mike Verdicchio

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What’s Your Fate?

I don’t like the word, “fate.”  Maybe it’s because for a long time now I have not been one to just settle for the way things are today, with no hope for better days ahead. With so many promises in the Bible of help, deliverance, healing, and, prosperity, no one needs to just settle.

dictionaryThe dictionary defines the word “fate” as, “The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events,” and, “the inevitable events predestined by this force.” It also says, “An event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future: the ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events.”

You have probably heard a number of phrases that talk about fate, like, “Don’t tempt fate,” or, “That was a twist of fate,” or, “She deserves a better fate,” or, “That will certainly seal his fate.”  In Greek mythology, “The Fates” were three goddesses who controlled human destiny! What? No thank you!

Fate is also described and referred to in other ways, like, “Well that was just meant to be“, meaning that it was going to happen, and that it was supposed to happen, and so that’s why it happened.  If you follow that logic you end up with the conclusion that whatever happens was meant to happen.  But doesn’t that take away all personal responsibility for your actions?  Yes it does, and that’s the point.

Let’s See How This Works

sandwichSuppose I decide to have a sandwich for lunch. Is that fate?  Was it meant to be? As I eat that sandwich, am I to think that eating this sandwich right now is what was supposed to have happened?  Some would say, “Yes.”

But what if I took the bread out to make the sandwich, andsalad then stopped and said, “Wait a minute – I think I’ll have a salad instead.”  But the bread is already out and sitting there! Wasn’t I meant to have a sandwich?

Which one was meant to be, the sandwich or the salad?  There are some who would say that I was meant to get the bread out first, and then I was meant to change and go with the salad.  For those who think like that, everything is just meant to be.

The problem with that kind of thinking and rationale is that it eliminates free will.  It also eliminates any and all responsibility for your actions.  And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

What Cards Have You Been Dealt?

No one is destined to be successful or destined to be a failure.  Far too many people accept that their lives are dictated by fate.  They say things like, “This is my lot in life; these are the cards that I’ve been dealt; I’m just a victim of circumstances and fate; this is all I can really expect in life.”  To all of that I say, “No, no, no!”

How can a child of the Creator of the universe go through life accepting things as they are, thinking that he cannot change them and just accepting that this is the way things are supposed to be?

Are We All Just Robots?

Have you ever considered that if your “fate is sealed,” you have no free will? If you have no free will then it really doesn’t matter what you do, good or bad, because it is not your fault.  It’s what was supposed to have happened.

The Creator gave each and every one of us free will to choose.  Each one of us can decide what we want to believe and what we want to do.  And, with God’s help, there’s really no limit to what we can accomplish.

If anything is really “meant to be,” it is that God wants us successful and blessed with the life that we have to live. He has lovingly provided all that we need.   But, he also gave us free will to choose.

What Will You Choose?

You can choose to accept “fate,” or, you can choose to accept the promises in the Bible as true and choose to believe them.

You are in life today where you are because of what you have believed and accepted as true.  You can change your circumstances by changing your thinking.  You can choose to focus on the things that you do desire instead of settling for the way things are now.

The only other choice is to accept fate.  And, if you choose to accept fate, well then, “good luck.” You’ll need it!

Mike Verdicchio

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If I Were Any Better, I’d Be Twins

It’s Another Podcast!

A number of years ago when I produced “Mike’s Pep Talks,” I did a one called, “If I Were Any Better, I’d Be Twins.”  It is currently on the series for “Self Employed Christians,” in two parts.

Since the material is very relevant for the days we are living in, I thought it would be profitable to re-do it here on the blog, and add some other insight.

Once you listen to it, you’ll know why I picked up the habit of often saying, “If I were any better, I’d be twins.”  Find out in this short podcast (9:13) what Jerry did when faced with a very serious situation.

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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Coach Carter

Last night Kathy and I watched the movie, “Coach Carter. We have seen it several times before.  It is a really an inspiring movie, based on the true story of Coach Ken Carter, in Richmond California.

There is a great quote near the end of the movie.  The quote is from a poem by Marianne Williamson.

Even though the quote in the movie was very inspiring, there were some lines that the movie script left out from the original poem.  So, below, first, the quote from the movie, and then, the actual poem from Marianne Williamson.

From the movie, Coach Carter:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

From the poem, Our Greatest Fear, by Marianne Williamson:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Those are some pretty powerful words – perhaps some good food to chew on over the weekend.  If you have a comment, please type itin below; we’d love to hear what’s on your mind.

Have a great weekend!

Mike Verdicchio

By the way, if you want to buy the movie, click the link below; it will take you to Amazon where you can get the best price.

Coach Carter (Widescreen Edition)

Coach Carter (Full Screen Edition)

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What Does Your Appendix Do?

Unexpected Plans For The Weekend

We had an unexpected adventure this past weekend – a trip to the hospital.  We left the house, Saturday morning, at 3am, headed for the emergency room.  It didn’t take too long for them to diagnose that my Kathy had appendicitis.

So, Saturday, around 1:15pm, Dr. Perez-Soto performed the procedure and removed Kathy’s inflamed appendix.  All went well and I brought Kathy home late yesterday afternoon.  We were thankful for Dr. Perez-Soto; she was absolutely wonderful!

We are very grateful for those who were praying for Kathy this weekend.  I think sometimes we underestimate just how effectual prayer can be for each other.

Kathy and I are also thankful for all the advances in medicine, especially since untreated appendicitis can be fatal.  We are also grateful for all those who cared for her during her short stay in the hospital.  We are also very happy that she got to come so quickly.

So Just What Does The Appendix Do?

For a long, long time, many thought that the appendix didn’t really do anything.  I always thought that was absurd.  The reason I felt that way is because I believe God designed the human body.  So for Him to include something that does nothing, and then, if it gets bad, it can be fatal, well, that just doesn’t make sense to me.

I found some interesting information from Duke University that came out in 2007.  I have put it in this post for those who are curious about the appendix.  I found it very interesting.  Perhaps you will too.

From the Medical News web site:

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center say that the function of the frequently discarded appendix, an organ often credited with little importance and often dismissed as having no significant function, does it seems have a role to play after all.

Researchers in the United States say the appendix produces and protects good germs for the gut by “rebooting” the digestive system.

The team of immunologists at Duke University Medical Center says the human digestive system contains massive amounts of bacteria most of which are good and help the digestion of food.

However the researchers say sometimes the bacteria die off or are purged from the intestines as in diseases such as cholera or dysentery.

According to the researchers, the appendix’s job is to “reboot” the digestive system when that happens with the bacteria safely harbored in the appendix.

Many doctors believe the appendix is a vestigial organ with no function and is no more than a blind ended tube connected to the cecum, from which it develops embryologically.
appendixThe cecum is a pouch-like structure of the colon and the appendix is near the junction of the small intestine and the large intestine and has abundant infection-fighting lymphoid cells, which suggests it plays a role in the immune system.

The most common diseases of the appendix (in humans) are appendicitis and carcinoid tumors. Appendix cancer accounts for about 1 in 200 of all gastrointestinal malignancies.

Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix becomes inflamed and in almost all cases it is removed either by laparotomy or laparoscopy; left untreated, the appendix will rupture, leading to peritonitis, then shock, and, if continued untreated, death.

The appendix is routinely removed without any notable ill effects or side effects and the scientists stress that even though the appendix seems to have a function, people should still have them removed when they are inflamed because since leaving it untreated could be fatal.

Dr. Bill Parker, a professor of surgery and one of the scientists responsible for establishing its status as a useful organ, says the function of the appendix seems related to the massive amount of bacteria that populates the human digestive system and where it is located just below the normal one-way flow of food and germs in the large intestine, helps support that theory.

The study appears in the online edition of the Journal of Theoretical Biology.

God sure did a very wonderful and remarkable job in putting together the human body!

Have you had you appendix removed? Do you have a comment?  If you do, please type it in below, we’d love to hear from you.

Mike Verdicchio

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Are You A Late Bloomer?

Below is a picture of the tangelo tree in my backyard.  Can you see it has blossoms on it?  Kathy took that picture yesterday, September 1.  Are you kidding me?  Blossoms?

tree 003 (Small)

This tree is nearly three years old.  It is a smaller variety so it is only supposed to grow to around ten or twelve feet.  Right now at four and a half feet tall it shows no sign of reaching twelve feet; at least not yet anyway.

Here in Arizona our citrus trees blossom around mid April.  Our lemon tree blossomed in April and this tangelo tree also blossomed in April.  (Our little orange tree blossomed too, but that’s a whole other story.)

Have You Ever Seen This Before?

Maybe you have, but I have never seen a citrus tree here in Arizona blossom twice in the same year!  And I have certainly never seen a citrus tree have blossoms in late August and early September.  The fruit for this tree is supposed mature around December.

Last year we enjoyed five delicious tangelos from this tree.  This year I was certainly expecting to see the tree grow a lot more than it has.  But regardless of my expectations, this tree is going to grow at its own pace.

Seeing those blossoms reminded me a couple of things.  First, that tree has its own individual potential.  I can fertilize it and water it.  But the growth is from within.  The same is true with people, especially when it comes to their own Christian walk.  Too often people are unfairly judged by others because of the expectations of others.

Perhaps we should all remember what the Apostle Paul said: “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”  When it comes to helping people with their Christian walk I think we need to love people and plant and water. I prefer that much more than being critical and judgmental, don’t you?

Should I Call It A Late Bloomer?

Secondly, I thought about blossoming the second time this season.  Will those new blossoms become fruit?  If so, when will the fruit from those new blossoms mature?  I don’t know.  I just know that tree is doing the best it can right now and it has produced another round of blossoms.

We should always be ready to give someone else another chance.  God has forgiven us so we really ought to forgive others as well.  Besides, the past is the past; no one can change what has happened in the past.

Trees and plants all grow at their own individual pace and the same is true with people. If we really want to help, then we need to love people, and just plant and water.

What Do You Think?

Do you have a comment?  Have you ever seen a citrus tree that bloomed twice in the same year?  Maybe you know the reason why?  If you have any comment please type it in below, we’d love to hear from you.

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Mike Verdicchio
tree 002 (Small)

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