True Love.

I'm the lucky one, though she would say she is. I'm the one who gets goosebumps when she walks into the room. When I  think about all the years that lie ahead of us Good Lord willing, I get excited. My life was meant for you. I admit it took awhile to find you. Through a bad situation God led you to me. He knew just what I needed .  When I look at how beautiful you are I am amazed. I see a heart of gold that is selfless and caring always putting me first. I know for sure I'm the lucky one. I don't know what you see in me but I'm glad you see it. It's funny when you picture yourself growing up and finding that person its never like you picture it. It's better. You are above and beyond my wildest expectations. I see so many of my mother's traits in you, I know that's why God sent me, you. I love all that we have in common. We can talk music, books or life in general. I love that I can make you laugh, sometimes not intentionally. I love that even though you aren't a morning person I can still get a smile out of you. I love your adventurous spirit, the way you are willing to step out of your comfort zone for me and try new things, like all of the crazy hole in the wall restaurants I drag you to. When we met you didn't drink coffee. I on the other hand am an avid coffee drinker. You were willing to give it another chance. After experimenting with several creamers you are now a lover of coffee and can't start your morning without it. I love the way we create magic in the kitchen. Sometimes we even make something edible. I love how you asked me this morning as you were leaving for four days if I was going to be okay.  I love how we never fight. We might disagree on something but we don't make a big production about it. You are quick to forget and forgive. You never worry about the future and provide me an example how I need to trust God more to provide. I see a Godly woman who loves her girls and in return is loved immensely by them. I love how you believe in me even while I am filled with self doubt. I love the nights we sit in silence just enjoying each other's company. I realize how truly rich and blessed I am even though I don't say it near enough. I know my mama would have been proud to call you her daughter in law. She would have loved you to the moon and back. These are just some of the reasons I know I've found true love.
Love you Cynthia
I'm looking forward to forever with you.
Enjoy your last Cheer Camp with Jeli. I will miss you but will be anxiously awaiting your return.
PS That new dog you were dreading will be here today.

Courage

The word courage has been thrown around kind of willy nilly lately. Apparently there are some who don't grasp the meaning of the word. The word courage means to be selfless to do something without giving regard to your life.  We have all known courageous men and women in our life.  I'm sure each one of us could name 5-10 people each without trying.
   I'm reminded of when I was younger. One of my all time favorite shows was Emergency. 7:00 on Saturday night on NBC.   I loved that show. I wanted with everything I had to be a fireman. All I saw at that time from watching the show was glamour and popularity. These men were heroes and people were watching and cheering them on. It was beyond amazing to me.  That fire burned in me for a long time.  Then a few years later as a freshman in high school our house burnt down. I saw these volunteers come and put their lives on the line to put our house out. These men were selfless. They weren't getting paid to do that.  I then knew that I wanted to be a part of that group of men.  My cousin was on the fire department that night our house burnt down.  I was way to young and had a ways to go before I would be old enough to join but I was counting the days
     I think I was 19 or 20 when I finally was a member of the Kennedale VFD.  Man was I proud. There was a lot of pride but not a lot of glory as I would learn.  Like any job you had to train and learn they didn't just throw you to the wolves. I got the chance to watch some fearless men which my cousin was still one. He watched out for me and taught me the ropes.  Being a fireman was more than a job it was a mindset. As I got older and received my training I was able to be a part of the offensive attack on a house fire.  That's when you don the full bunker gear along with SCBA and you are fighting the fire from the inside of the house. Let me tell you its exhilarating and scary. But your mindset tells you hey we are trained we got this. You don't think about all that could happen or maybe I don't make it home you just do it.  That to me is the meaning of courage. I have a good friend that I met when I was going through EMT training for the fire department. She worked at the hospital where I did my rotations. Kathy was a smart lady and got her degree in college. She used that degree to become a Fort Worth Police Officer. I did a few ride outs with her. She worked graveyard on the North side. That's not a great area high crime and gangs. One thing that amazed me is that when one officer called for help they all came running. They did not know exactly the situation but they were there for their fellow officers. That's my definition of courage.  I never will forget 9/11 the images we saw on TV officers and firefighters alike gave their all without regard for their own lives.  Some paid the ultimate price. My heart went out to them because down deep I knew that at one point in my life it could have been me.  I remember the one time I went down on a grass fire. I woke up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. It was for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. They kept me overnight for observation. My mom comes in for a visit and asks me if I was done being a fireman. I said no Ma'am I'm not done. I can't let this scare me and I didn't. I spent several more years in the fire service.
    We have many courageous men and women giving their all every day for our country and laying their lives on the line. Some never make It back the same and most are affected by the results of it for the rest of their lives.  They don't brag about what they did. It's selfless and not about them. They are the definition of courage. So I get a little offended when I see our network TV stations praising a man who decided to become a woman as being courageous.  It took guts but not really my definition of Courage. I might be in the minority and might even lose some friends over this but that was not a selfless act.  It was done with media coverage via TV radio magazine and online.  He wanted the attention.  I just think and its my opinion that our priorities are way out of whack.
     Over the past week I've seen two great people taken by cancer. Exactly a week. These 2 individuals knew their time was short and accepted it. They made peace and died with courage.  That's one of the toughest things to face, death.
     Things won't change for us here in these times until we have the courage to stand for what we know is right. Yeah we will probably lose some of what we thought were friends along the way. Hey I had to unfriend one today myself. Anyone that slams Christians and claims to be one is no friend of mine.  These tonight were just a few examples of courage and I'm sure we could all name more. You get the point  . Let's show the world the true definition of courage before its too late
God Bless
Kenney Big Skinny Pope

Courage

The word courage has been thrown around kind of willy nilly lately. Apparently there are some who don't grasp the meaning of the word. The word courage means to be selfless to do something without giving regard to your life.  We have all known courageous men and women in our life.  I'm sure each one of us could name 5-10 people each without trying.
   I'm reminded of when I was younger. One of my all time favorite shows was Emergency. 7:00 on Saturday night on NBC.   I loved that show. I wanted with everything I had to be a fireman. All I saw at that time from watching the show was glamour and popularity. These men were heroes and people were watching and cheering them on. It was beyond amazing to me.  That fire burned in me for a long time.  Then a few years later as a freshman in high school our house burnt down. I saw these volunteers come and put their lives on the line to put our house out. These men were selfless. They weren't getting paid to do that.  I then knew that I wanted to be a part of that group of men.  My cousin was on the fire department that night our house burnt down.  I was way to young and had a ways to go before I would be old enough to join but I was counting the days
     I think I was 19 or 20 when I finally was a member of the Kennedale VFD.  Man was I proud. There was a lot of pride but not a lot of glory as I would learn.  Like any job you had to train and learn they didn't just throw you to the wolves. I got the chance to watch some fearless men which my cousin was still one. He watched out for me and taught me the ropes.  Being a fireman was more than a job it was a mindset. As I got older and received my training I was able to be a part of the offensive attack on a house fire.  That's when you don the full bunker gear along with SCBA and you are fighting the fire from the inside of the house. Let me tell you its exhilarating and scary. But your mindset tells you hey we are trained we got this. You don't think about all that could happen or maybe I don't make it home you just do it.  That to me is the meaning of courage. I have a good friend that I met when I was going through EMT training for the fire department. She worked at the hospital where I did my rotations. Kathy was a smart lady and got her degree in college. She used that degree to become a Fort Worth Police Officer. I did a few ride outs with her. She worked graveyard on the North side. That's not a great area high crime and gangs. One thing that amazed me is that when one officer called for help they all came running. They did not know exactly the situation but they were there for their fellow officers. That's my definition of courage.  I never will forget 9/11 the images we saw on TV officers and firefighters alike gave their all without regard for their own lives.  Some paid the ultimate price. My heart went out to them because down deep I knew that at one point in my life it could have been me.  I remember the one time I went down on a grass fire. I woke up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. It was for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. They kept me overnight for observation. My mom comes in for a visit and asks me if I was done being a fireman. I said no Ma'am I'm not done. I can't let this scare me and I didn't. I spent several more years in the fire service.
    We have many courageous men and women giving their all every day for our country and laying their lives on the line. Some never make It back the same and most are affected by the results of it for the rest of their lives.  They don't brag about what they did. It's selfless and not about them. They are the definition of courage. So I get a little offended when I see our network TV stations praising a man who decided to become a woman as being courageous.  It took guts but not really my definition of Courage. I might be in the minority and might even lose some friends over this but that was not a selfless act.  It was done with media coverage via TV radio magazine and online.  He wanted the attention.  I just think and its my opinion that our priorities are way out of whack.
     Over the past week I've seen two great people taken by cancer. Exactly a week. These 2 individuals knew their time was short and accepted it. They made peace and died with courage.  That's one of the toughest things to face, death.
     Things won't change for us here in these times until we have the courage to stand for what we know is right. Yeah we will probably lose some of what we thought were friends along the way. Hey I had to unfriend one today myself. Anyone that slams Christians and claims to be one is no friend of mine.  These tonight were just a few examples of courage and I'm sure we could all name more. You get the point  . Let's show the world the true definition of courage before its too late
God Bless
Kenney Big Skinny Pope

Measured Time

Measured Time http://bigskinny1069.blogspot.com/2015/07/measured-time.html

Measured Time

The events of this past week have caused me to think about my own mortality. A dear friend battling cancer for 2 years was suddenly told there is no hope. Then hospice was called in. They watched her pass today.  I think that happens when we are faced with death on any level but especially when the person was close to our age. We have all been given a measured amount of time to live. We will all personally face death. It's not a subject we like to dwell on or even talk about.
   I look back on all the loved ones that have passed on in my life. It has touched me personally and left its mark on my life.  I can still remember those days like they were yesterday. My brother passed in 1984 and the call my mom took that day is still fresh on my mind. I should have been on the job that day. I was working 2 jobs at the time and had gotten home late so my dad didn't wake me. He let me sleep in. My brother was in a tragic life ending accident that day on the job. I should have been there but an all knowing God knew my brother's time was up and didn't want me to witness the accident first hand. I would have been scarred for life. 
     My mom died a slow death from cancer it took its toll from the inside out. I watched her slowly fade away each day until she had nothing left to give. I saw the empty look in her eyes as life left her body and its something I will never forget.  It's hard to get that image out of your mind. Someone so alive and vivacious at one time reduced to a lifeless body.
     Yes we are all living on measured time. We will face the reality that comes with death. The one thing that gives us hope is that this isn't the end.  As sad as it gets to say goodbye to that loved one its great to know if they are a born again Christian we will meet again. I miss mama and big bro every day.  The here and now is tough. Facing every day without the loved one is hard to say the least. They say time heals all wounds and that may be true. I have only got so much time and the pain is still really real sometimes.
    I honestly think that the thing that concerns us the most is the uncertainty. Yes our time is measured but we as humans, have no clue when that time is up. We would like to think maybe in our 90's but even then its still a short life. I read stories in the old testament growing up. There were men who lived over 900 years. That's a lot of living. What kind of accomplishments could you have done in that amount of time Can you imagine some of those conversations? Hey Methuselah, do you remember 200 years ago you borrowed my goat to mow your lawn. I need it back. Uh Moses your goat died a hundred years ago. I tried to find you but somebody said you were wandering around the wilderness for the last 40 years.  And think about those wedding vows. Talk about commitment. What precious metal says happy 800th anniversary?  The point is we are all given a measured amount of time. Some have a long life and some are short. What is the secret to long life? The Bible says to honor your parents. We all have a set amount of days to live.  We can either live in fear and dread, loathing that dark day.....or we can make every day count. We can make sure that everyone around us  knows they are loved. We can help those in need. We can live our lives so that others can see Christ in us.  We can make sure we are prayed up so that when the time comes and our measuring cup is emptied out , we can be proud knowing we left a legacy and without a doubt we were a positive example for the younger generation to follow. As the family lays a dear friend to rest this next week and everyone says their tearful goodbyes. Be comforted that she was a child of God. We will see her again. Know that she had a positive influence in this world she touched a lot of people in a positive way. She gave of herself and was dearly loved in return. In our measured relatively short lives that is the best you can hope for.

    

The Power of Prayer

I can still remember being a bright eyed 5 year old in Sunday school. I remember the flannel board with the paper cut outs that would stick to it and the Bible lessons taught. I remember just ordinary every day men and women bringing the teachings that they had spent the week preparing.  One particular Sunday I remember a lesson on prayer. It was as I recall a cut out of what was supposed to be Jesus. He was in the Garden sad as he prayed to God. He knew what the task was in front of him. He knew there was going to be physical pain as well as emotional. He was asking God if there was another way but all the while praying God's will be done. That was and is the greatest example of prayer we have or will ever know. 
      That first lesson on prayer left an impression on me but as I got older and learned to pray I realized some truths about prayer. You hear constantly about praying for riches. You know name it claim it type stuff. Send me a 100 dollars and we will send you a prayer cloth. I think and this is my opinion,  you in this lifetime will only get what is according to God's will. No more no less.  We have prayer as a way to praise God for being almighty, for thanking him all he has done for us, to pray for people to find him, to pray for our leaders, to pray for those sick and Afflicted, traveling mercies, to thank him for meals and for forgiveness of sin. There are many more reasons to pray, but it is never for selfish reasons.
     The reason I bring this up today is because today like many times in the past I'm praying for loved ones afflicted with terminal diseases. Just like I prayed for my mother I am praying for these 2 individuals. The news is not hopeful. I have prayed to God countless times. I bawled and cried and was sincere. Why God aren't you listening? I'm doing everything right. You said to come to you when we had a need. You can see the need God. Why God Why are you allowing this. Why aren't my prayers being answered? Maybe just maybe it's for this reason. Maybe I forgot to realize that only the prayers that are in line with his will are answered.
1John 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
  
We have no idea what God's plans are. We just have to accept it. It hurts and sometimes it isn't pleasant. This doesn't mean we should stop praying. When you were younger and your parents who were watching out for you denied a request from you, did you stop asking for stuff? No you kept asking and they would give you whatever you asked for if they they thought it best for you.  Right now as l write this all I hear is no to my request. I don't see the watchful parent's eye looking out for the grand scheme of things. I lost my Oldest brother back in 1984 and still can't figure out why God took him.  All I have is my faith and hope and without those I'm nothing.
  Love you
Kenney Pope