Monday, January 29, 2007

New Tasks & Cemeteries

Busy! I began my paralegal practicum the first week of January and the attorneys have kept me busy. I love what I’m doing and so far, they've liked my work. I’ve written briefs on a couple of human resources legal issues, answered a letter concerning a possible patient of forty years ago, and most recently, a certification issue. I’m following that issue up with more research into licensing, certification and hearings and appeals processes.

It’s challenging and I’m learning a lot, but there’s also a lot more to learn. I’m a little overwhelmed by the reading as I try to get through the applicable statutes and rules that apply to our agency. It’s easier when I’m looking for the answer to a question, but just wading through them – well – they won’t keep me awake at night, for sure!

It’s good to see that all the research and writing I’ve had to do in my classes is really paying off. And I’ve had to rely on information I leaned in nearly all my classes, so far. So, my education hasn’t been wasted so far.

One main project I’m working on is the ‘cemetery project’. It’s been passed from one attorney to two law clerks and an intern and now it’s on my desk. We have until April 2008 to finish it. It requires us to collect all the identifying information our agency has on all persons buried in cemeteries on the grounds of our hospitals. Three facilities are completed, one is nearly complete, and there is one more that we don’t know the progress on yet. While there is still work to be done most of it is done!

Some of the stones are so old that you can’t see the markings on them. A lot of them have no names or dates, only a number and so we have to rely on paper records which are not always available or accurate. A lot of people have worked on getting the information together and I’m coming in on the tail end, but I’ll be glad to get it completed and put to rest.

When I look at the numbers and names on the lists and plot maps, I wonder if anyone attended a service for the person being buried. Why didn’t they put names on the stones instead of just numbers? How many people mourned their loss? It gives insight into how the perspectives have changed concerning mentally ill people and institutionalizing them. Of course, Ohio has led the nation in de-institutionalization, but when you go back through the history that is involved in the cemeteries, it seems very sad to me that people were put into hospitals and in some cases, forgotten, even in their deaths. How did the people feel who cut the stones and buried the people? Did anyone ever question or feel remorse that the person lying beneath the earth would only be seen as a number to anyone walking through that cemetery? How sad.

All the more reason to remember today, we need to receive mercy from each other and we need to give it to each other.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Devotional for Daniel Fast

Our pastor put together a devotional for us to use during the Daniel Fast. It's a good set of scriptures on which to meditate even if you're not fasting.

January 7—Romans 8:11 The same Spirit and power that raised Jesus from the dead, abides within us! Do we realize the power that we have access to? The power to serve, overcome, and succeed? Think of the power it took to bring a dead body back to life, that is in you TODAY!

January 8— Ephesians 1:3 Notice the wording of this verse. It states that God "has" (already) blessed us with "every" spiritual blessing. That means that you have access to everything you need to elevate your life and to bring the Kingdom's blessings into your daily life! Think on those blessings.

January 9— Acts 16:31 Do you have any unsaved family members? Then you need to meditate and claim the promise of this verse. It states that when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that not only will we be saved but our entire household as well! This promise is ours now, CLAIM IT!

January 10— Romans 8:31 What do you fear? Let me ask you, is it bigger then your God? Then why are you afraid of it. Today meditate on the greatness of your God, when you do you will realize that there is nothing big enough to take you down. GOD IS FOR YOU!

January 11— I John 5:4 Overcoming the world, what does that mean? Well the world system is one that is made to fail, it is a system of corruption and death, but when we use our faith we overcome the world and it's worthless system. Use your faith today, it is the power that overcomes!

January 12 — 2 Corinthians 5:7 Where are your eyes focused? Our walk has never been about what we can see, hear and feel! Think about it!

January 13— 2 Peter 2:24 Do you need a healing today? Well, this promise from God declares to us that "we HAVE been" healed. It is not going to happen it already has happened. Haven't you put up with those ailments long enough? Start claiming the promise of Jesus' completed work in Your life! YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED!

January 14 — Mark 11:23-24 Speak to that mountain! Those problems have stood between you and your promises for the last time. Today start speaking to those mountains, and when you speak to them use the Word of God, and demand that they move out of your way, and they WILL!

January 15 — Acts 16:31 What is in a name? Well a name speaks to us of authority, rights, power and influence. In the spiritual realm authority s everything. Who has the greatest authority? Jesus, His name is ABOVE every other name. All diseases and problems are given names...His is GREATER! Of all the giits God has given us to succeed in this life, none is greater then the name of Jesus! And as His child you can stand in the power of that name.

January 16 — Romans 8:17 Not only have we been given the Name of Jesus, we have been made a joint heir with Him. All that He has is ours,all of the power, all of the healing, all of the peace, EVERYTHING! Take your rightful place as His joint heir today!

January 17 — Luke 12:31 As you continue this JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY, remember what it is we are seeking most — the Kingdom of God – the Kingdom of God; God's Rule, God's Ways, God's Power all alive in us NOW. That is what we are seeking first and foremost!

January 18 — 2 Corinthians 5:21 Stop striving to be righteous, when we accept Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior we are "MADE' the righteousness of God. You are made into the righteousness of God because Jesus was MADE sin for us! You are in a right position with Father God solely because of your faith in Jesus and His completed work!

January 19 — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Yesterday we meditated on our RIGHT standing in Christ Jesus. Because of that right standing, "old things have passed away and all things have become new." Everyday the power of God is at work in us to make "EVERYTHING" new - again and again. Start walking in the creative power of God as He makes new your spirit, soul and body Each and Every day!

January 20 —Isaiah 55:8,9 Elevation and Increase, how do we achieve these things in our life? Well the Word of God declares that God's thoughts and ways are "higher" than ours. In other words His thoughts and ways are ELEVATED. His Word (the Bible) is a container of His thoughts and ways, and once we make His thoughts ours and begin walking in His ways – we too are ELEVATED, and INCREASE is the result!

January 21 — Isaiah 55:10,11 God's word will ALWAYS produce! His Word will never fail to accomplish its intended purpose. When we 'send" the Word of God by declaring it and standing on it, we will see the results! EVERYTIME! Begin to gain confidence in your confession of faith which the Word also tells us has "great reward" (Hebrews 4:14, 10:35).

January 22— Hebrews 10:35,36 What is one of the most important things a believer can do? Endure! Not endurance with a sense of idly waiting with drudgery, but a faith-filled season of continuing in the Godly principles and faith-filled actions as outlined in the Word of God. While waiting for the promise to be manifest, continue confessing, declaring, meditating, praying and so forth! If you do this you will surely obtain the promise!

January 23—2 Timothy 1:7 Are you believing God for something big? But find yourself afraid? Well that fear is not from God. Recognize where that fear is coming from. Then refuse to accept it. God has given you a "sound" mind full of power and faith! USE IT!

January 24—Ephesians 5:6 Where are you today? At work, at home, in trouble, or facing good times? You know that is not really "WHERE" you are. No matter what you are doing or in what circumstance you find yourself, remember this, You are SEATED in Heavenly Places with Christ, you are "FAR ABOVE" your problem or situation! Start acting like it!

January 25 —Genesis 1:26-28 The Dominion Mandate! Meditate this scripture as a "today" statement. This declaration by God is His pronouncement of His will for all mankind. You are not a beggar, you are a DOMNION TAKER! This is your spiritual DNA! When Adam sinned, God did not abandon His original purpose for us - to live in dominion. He simply restored that position to us through Christ Jesus!

January 26— I John 4:4 Meditate this thought all day today - "THE GREATER ONE IS ON THE INSIDE OF ME"!

January 27—2 Timothy 2:3,4 You are in the army of the Lord! Are you faithful to His cause? We must not entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life! NOW is the time to give God everything we have, everything we are, and everything we can do!

January 28— FINAL DAY OF FAST—John 11:40 "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Have you seen His glory over these past 21 days? THE BEST IS YET TO COME!