Realization from my Lenten Meditations: I am a Dismal Failure; I need God to Survive Here & Eternally!!!

Lenten Daily Meditations

“Renew within me a Right Spirit.”—Psalm 51:12

Celebrating the “Spiritual Season!”

Forty-Six (47) Days from Ash Wednesday to Easter… Realize Lent is over on Palm Sunday; it is now Holy Week)…

Forty Nights between Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday…

Only 14 of 40… is my Lenten Preparation a dismal failure?

Then Fifty (50) Days to Pentecost…

Seven Penitential Psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143

Matthew 4:1-11; Psalm 51; Psalm 6, 32, 38, 102, 130, 143

Matthew 4:1-11

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. 3 The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” 4 He said in reply, “It is written:

‘One does not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:

‘He will command his angels concerning you’

and ‘with their hands they will support you,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” 8 Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, 9 and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” 10 At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written:

‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship

and him alone shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.”—Matthew 4:1-11

Psalm 51

“Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;

in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.

4 Thoroughly wash away my guilt;

and from my sin cleanse me.

5 For I know my transgressions;

my sin is always before me.

6 Against you, you alone have I sinned;

I have done what is evil in your eyes

So that you are just in your word,

and without reproach in your judgment.

7 Behold, I was born in guilt,

in sin my mother conceived me.

8 Behold, you desire true sincerity;

and secretly you teach me wisdom.

9 Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

10 You will let me hear gladness and joy;

the bones you have crushed will rejoice.

11 Turn away your face from my sins;

blot out all my iniquities.

12 A clean heart create for me, God;

renew within me a steadfast spirit.

13 Do not drive me from before your face,

nor take from me your Holy Spirit.

14 Restore to me the gladness of your Salvation;

uphold me with a willing Spirit.

15 I will teach the wicked your ways,

that sinners may return to you.

16 Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God,

and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice.

17 Lord, you will open my lips;

and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

18 For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it;

a burnt offering you would not accept.

19 My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.

20 Treat Zion kindly according to your good will;

build up the walls of Jerusalem.

21 Then you will desire the sacrifices of the just,

burnt offering and whole offerings;

then they will offer up young bulls on your altar.”—Psalm 51

Psalm 6

“Do not reprove me in your anger, Lord,

nor punish me in your wrath.

3 Have pity on me, Lord, for I am weak;

heal me, Lord, for my bones are shuddering.

4 My soul too is shuddering greatly—

and you, Lord, how long…?

5 Turn back, Lord, rescue my soul;

save me because of your mercy.

6 For in death there is no remembrance of you.

Who praises you in Sheol?

7 I am wearied with sighing;

all night long I drench my bed with tears;

I soak my couch with weeping.

8 My eyes are dimmed with sorrow,

worn out because of all my foes.

9 Away from me, all who do evil!

The Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.

10 The Lord has heard my plea;

the Lord will receive my prayer.

11 My foes will all be disgraced and will shudder greatly;

they will turn back in sudden disgrace.”—Psalm 6

Psalm 32

“Blessed is the one whose fault is removed,

whose sin is forgiven.

2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt,

in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 Because I kept silent, my bones wasted away;

I groaned all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength withered as in dry summer heat.

5 Then I declared my sin to you;

my guilt I did not hide.

I said, “I confess my transgression to the Lord,”

and you took away the guilt of my sin.

6 Therefore every loyal person should pray to you

in time of distress.

Though flood waters threaten,

they will never reach him.

7 You are my shelter; you guard me from distress;

with joyful shouts of deliverance you surround me.

8 I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk,

give you counsel with my eye upon you.

“Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding; with bit and bridle their Temper is curbed, else they will not come to You.”—Psalm 32:9

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked one,

but mercy surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;

exult, all you upright of heart.”—Psalm 32

Psalm 38

1 A psalm of David. For remembrance.

2 Lord, do not punish me in your anger;

in your wrath do not chastise me!

3 Your arrows have sunk deep in me;

your hand has come down upon me.

4 There is no wholesomeness in my flesh because of your anger;

there is no health in my bones because of my sin.

5 My iniquities overwhelm me,

a burden too heavy for me.

6 Foul and festering are my sores

because of my folly.

7 I am stooped and deeply bowed;

every day I go about mourning.

8 My loins burn with fever;

there is no wholesomeness in my flesh.

9 I am numb and utterly crushed;

I wail with anguish of heart.

10 My Lord, my deepest yearning is before you;

my groaning is not hidden from you.

11 My heart shudders, my strength forsakes me;

the very light of my eyes has failed.

12 Friends and companions shun my disease;

my neighbors stand far off.

13 Those who seek my life lay snares for me;

they seek my misfortune, they speak of ruin;

they plot treachery every day.

“But I am like the deaf, hearing nothing; like the mute, I do not open my mouth; I am even like someone who does not hear, who has no answer ready. Lord, it is for You that I wait; O Lord, my God, You respond.”—Psalm 38:14-16

17 For I have said that they would gloat over me,

exult over me if I stumble.

18 I am very near to falling;

my wounds are with me always.

19 I acknowledge my guilt

and grieve over my sin.

20 My enemies live and grow strong,

those who hate me grow numerous fraudulently,

21 Repaying me evil for good,

accusing me for pursuing good.

22 Do not forsake me, O Lord;

my God, be not far from me!

23 Come quickly to help me,

my Lord and my salvation!—Psalm 38

Psalm 102

1 The prayer of one afflicted and wasting away whose anguish is poured out before the Lord.

2 Lord, hear my prayer;

let my cry come to you.

3 Do not hide your face from me

in the day of my distress.

Turn your ear to me;

when I call, answer me quickly.

4 For my days vanish like smoke;

my bones burn away as in a furnace.

5 My heart is withered, dried up like grass,

too wasted to eat my food.

6 From my loud groaning

I become just skin and bones.

7 I am like a desert owl,

like an owl among the ruins.

8 I lie awake and moan,

like a lone sparrow on the roof.

9 All day long my enemies taunt me;

in their rage, they make my name a curse.

10 I eat ashes like bread,

mingle my drink with tears.

11 Because of your furious wrath,

you lifted me up just to cast me down.

12 My days are like a lengthening shadow;

I wither like the grass.

13 But you, Lord, are enthroned forever;

your renown is for all generations.

14 You will again show mercy to Zion;

now is the time for pity;

the appointed time has come.

15 Its stones are dear to your servants;

its dust moves them to pity.

16 The nations shall fear your name, Lord,

all the kings of the earth, your glory,

17 Once the Lord has rebuilt Zion

and appeared in glory,

18 Heeding the plea of the lowly,

not scorning their prayer.

19 Let this be written for the next generation,

for a people not yet born,

that they may praise the Lord:

20 “The Lord looked down from the holy heights,

viewed the earth from heaven,

21 To attend to the groaning of the prisoners,

to release those doomed to die.”

22 Then the Lord’s name will be declared on Zion,

his praise in Jerusalem,

23 When peoples and kingdoms gather

to serve the Lord.

24 He has shattered my strength in mid-course,

has cut short my days.

25 I plead, O my God,

do not take me in the midst of my days.

Your years last through all generations.

26 Of old you laid the earth’s foundations;

the heavens are the work of your hands.

27 They perish, but you remain;

they all wear out like a garment;

Like clothing you change them and they are changed,

28 but you are the same, your years have no end.

29 May the children of your servants live on;

may their descendants live in your presence.—Psalm 102

Psalm 130

1 A song of ascents.

“Out of the depths I call to You, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May Your Ears be attentive to my cry for Mercy. If You, Lord, keep account of sins, Lord, who can stand? But with You is Forgiveness and so You are revered.”—Psalm 130: 2-4

5 I wait for the Lord,

my soul waits

and I hope for his word.

6 My soul looks for the Lord

more than sentinels for daybreak.

More than sentinels for daybreak,

7 let Israel hope in the Lord,

For with the Lord is mercy,

with him is plenteous redemption,

8 And he will redeem Israel

from all its sins.—Psalm 130

Psalm 143

1 A psalm of David.

“Lord, hear my Prayer; in your Faithfulness listen to my pleading; answer me in Your Righteousness. Do not enter into Judgment with Your Servant; before you no one can be just.”

—Psalm 143:1-2

3 The enemy has pursued my soul;

he has crushed my life to the ground.

He has made me dwell in darkness

like those long dead.

4 My spirit is faint within me;

my heart despairs.

5 I remember the days of old;

I ponder all your deeds;

the works of your hands I recall.

“I stretch out my hands toward You.”—Psalm 143:6

my soul to you like a parched land.

“Hasten to answer me, Lord; for my Spirit fails me. Do not hide Your Face from me, lest I become like those descending to the pit. In the morning let me hear of Your Mercy, for in You I trust. Show me the path I should walk, for I entrust my life to You.”—Psalm 143:7-8

9 Rescue me, Lord, from my foes,

for I seek refuge in you.

“Teach me to do Your Will, for You are my God. May Your Kind Spirit guide me… for Your Name’s Sake, Lord, give me life; in Your Righteousness lead my Soul out of distress… in your Mercy… for I am Your Servant.”—Psalm 143:10-12

on ground that is level.

11 For your name’s sake, Lord, give me life;

in your righteousness lead my soul out of distress.

12 In your mercy put an end to my foes;

all those who are oppressing my soul,

for I am your servant.—Psalm 143

Lent is over and for the very first time I realized that I am a dismal failure and need God to survive here and eternally… went 14 for 40 on my “Lenten Sacrifice” of eating 2,000 calories per day… hopefully God likes baseball and my 0.350 batting average… honestly I tried my best and most slips were in the 2,ooonds… and I did lose a few of those pandemic pounds… and I was totally honest with myself and God and the realization came to me that I do not need to be perfect in God’s Eyes… He does love me and knows I realized and tried my best to be out there in the desert with Jesus these last 40 days… I know I need God in my life, first of firsts, to survive in this world and beyond for all of Eternity! May God Bless all of us as we journey through the ups and downs of Holy Week… may our Hope be transformed into Joy and Eternal Life right here on Earth! Knowing God is present in all faiths and all religions I wish my Jewish friends a beautiful Passover! We all have a common heritage and our diversity is truly our strength so let’s make it so! “Renew within me a Right Spirit.”—Psalm 51:12 PS Link includes my Lenten Meditations including Matthew 4:1-11 and the Seven Penitential Psalms…

(Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post 3-29-21 with one link)

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, 2^nd, 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 17^th, 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 11^th) 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 20^th anniversary of TROML and SSS on September 2^nd, 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!

“Live by the choices you make, NOT the poor choices of others! Live always with love, compassion, & mercy… inside first, then outward to others, especially strangers.” Thank you God for the inspiration of today based on the experiences of yesterday! A Taste of TROML 2020 coming soon…

Today is the 7,000th day of TROML, the dynamic, spiritual, self-realization process I began, have been developing & perfecting since September 2nd, 2000!

TROML is an acronym for “The Rest Of My Life—T—R—O—M—L!”

TROML 2020 is a 10-point initiative that will be fully celebrated beginning next year on September 2nd, 2020 on the 20th anniversary of TROML!

1,210 days ago I realized that the ongoing TROML Process (the 17-day journal based inward journey which has absolutely nothing to do with me; TROML is a process, NOT Andy’s program) leads one to their ‘Splendid Spiritual Self (SSS).

I am working on a third spiritual book that many of you have provided your spiritual insights, biblical references, and own life experiences. Next person to do so will be No. 37! If you are interested & willing we can do so online.

Looking forward to following up with several friends when I am home in Florida! Have a TROML Day today!

Pic Caption: Note what is after the dash on my memorial stone! Why not begin to live your Eternal Life today?

Peaceful, tranquil, & scenic! TROML Journaling in GOD’s Country! Joy & Gratitude for this special blessing! Al-le-lu-ia!!!

Climbed my first of the 46 Adirondack Peaks this morning! Thinking 4-to-5 a year during the upcoming 7th decade of my life would be a good thing! Passed on nearby Mount Marcy, the highest in New York State, started with one of the easiest, Baxter Mountain! Great trail, great hike, passed 23 adults, 14 children, & 2 dogs going up & coming down! Took about 2-1/2 hours with 30 minutes up on top! More TROML Thoughts to come! Glorious view, awesome feeling of being ONE with nature! God’s Country! Here are the pics in order of ascent! Thank you to Ranger Rob for some great trail insight & advice! Adirondack Park is well run, organized & maintained! TROML Baby (an exclamation of Joy and Gratitude)!!!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 8-11-19)

Baxter Mountain: 2,440 Feet Elevation

Sunday, 8-11-19; 8:20 am to 11 am

TROML Journal Notes:

Roots exposed… large flat rocks…gradual slope… coolness of August morning in the shade of the forest canopy. In the mountains, elevation dictates temperature (learned this in Nicaragua Mountains with host couple Connie & Ernesto).

Through the forest… pine and white birch trees… moss on the ground and fallen trees… pass couple with a large dog… “See you at the Top!”

Fallen tree with a ‘root tree grave,’ not a human grave! Sip of second water bottle… drank first in car.. turned out to be a ‘no-pee hike!’

Huffing and puffing; feel my heart beating in my chest and right ear! Pass father and daughter coming down and they took a picture of me upon my request! Upright please (vertical, not horizontal pic)! I stood upright like the trees although I felt tired and wanted to lay down horizontally! “Over half way,” they said!

I see changes in the vegetation as I ascend, wild mustard plants… larger granite boulder outcroppings… Why are the larger rocks exposed on the top of mountains? Is this biblical?

NOTE: Throughout scripture, Rock are commonly referred to as a symbol of God’s reliability. The Bible advises that we build our houses and lives upon the stable rock that is God’s love. wisdom and salvation. Rocks are interlaced with the idea of refuge, a place to escape the tumultuous hardships of the earth.

1 Corinthians 10:4: “and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”

1 Peter 2:4: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him…”

Deuteronomy 32:4: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

Isaiah 51:1: “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn…”

Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 71:3: “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.”

Hike is the work that ‘earns’ the view! The view to the southeast below the rising sun is amazing!

Out of trail, go up through the boulders. Wild blueberries; do not eat! I see civilization down below on the floor of the valley! Have not seen a trail marker in a while… There is another path below right… can’t read my writing… a fake top? More boulders ahead and above. I see a trail marker!

Why am I carrying around an extra 50 pounds in life? Heart beating; feels great!

Grasshoppers! Sound of their wings flapping!

If I trip it is important to trip uphill (up mountain), not downhill (down mountain), off the cliff and arrive in my ‘Beyond & Forever Home!’

Off trail? Hard to discern where the trail is! Found blue trail markers but am I going the right way? Also tree markers going the other way too! I wonder what the top of Baxter Mountain looks like? How will I know that I am there? That I have arrived on Andy’s first Adirondack Peak, No. 1 of 46—Baxter Mountain?

NOTE: Turns out, Baxter Mountain, at 2,440 feet elevation is not one of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks (at 4,000 feet elevation or higher)!

This looks like the way down! Definitely down mountain! I turn around and go back 50-70 yards. Cool in the shade; I feel the coolness of my sweat on my cheeks and back. I hear the rustle of the wind through the trees. I hear the rubbing of upper tree trunks, one to the other. Or is that the sound of a bird above?

Yep, blue trail markers going the other way, hopefully the right way. What is the right way? Further up to the summit or down to the car? Need a designation on the blue trail markers—going Up and Down trail—would be helpful; just a suggestion!

Nothing tales through right here—now my written words do not make sense! Go back; maybe the final lookout point was to the Southwest? Took a selfie to the Southwest.

I went back the other way. Is what I see a taller mountain (the summit) or just taller trees? Where is the peak of Baxter Mountain?

The view to the Southeast is amazing! I have been here before. Go back the other way? May just come around to the top of mountain; just going around the peak?

NOTE: There is a loop in the hiking trail on the Summit of Baxter Mountain!

I see new yellow trail markers! Indicating the way down? But I passed people coming down on the Blue Trail on my way up to here! Wrong fork back ‘up;’ may just be a loop at the top? I have to go back down some way; get to my car!

Thank God I am not piloting an airplane here that is running out of gas!

I claim victory! The Summit of Baxter Mountain has been climbed! Andy’s Adirondack Peak No. 1 of 46!

I see an ‘infinity-shaped’ cloud above the vista to the southeast. If you connect the dots of your life into a Figure-8; see the redemptive cycle as being inspired with grace, hope, and mercy along the way… then your life, energy, peace, joy, and power indeed becomes endless, abundant, and infinite!

My cell phone dies completely and automatically shuts itself down. No infinite power there!

I forget about my cell phone and taking pictures and simply enjoy the view from the top of Baxter Mountain! I look across and see a structure that may be a B&B on a lower bluff. Looking over towards Mount Marcy (or what I believe to be Mount Marcy) I see a trail line in the forest leading up to a large bare rock spot.

I think about a picture of me at the summit and get out a post-it note and put my name and phone number on it—please take a picture of the plaque on the summit if you find it and text it to me! Sometimes you have to go down in life to go up!

I am scared by the sound of a lady’s voice. She thought I had already seen her husband and their dog. I get scared easily even on the top of mountains!

I say hello and give them my post-it note. They say someone else told them you have to go down the yellow trail a bit to get up to the summit. I take back my post-it note and turn around once again to seek the summit for sure!

So back I go! This reminds me of the very first time I did yardages for Billy Ray Brown and the Golf Channel at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. Something that looks like it should be very easy (find sprinkler with yardage; walk off distance to player’s golf ball; add or subtract as needed; add depth of hole location on the green; repeat for two other players and there you have the yardage to the hole for Golf Channel’s on-course reporter. Radio it into the truck and now all the world can see it graphically displayed on television. Looks easy but can be hard, especially the first time!

First time hiker gets lost at Summit of Baxter Mountain!

Going uphill again I feel a bit tired for sure. I try not to look down 100% of the time. The time to see the view in life is when you are tired, discouraged or troubled. I need to pause and look up for hope!

Psalm 38:15: “For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.”

Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Psalm 33:22: “Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”

Tired and weary am I. See one yellow trail marker, pause, look ahead to see next one. Are there potentially other rock outlooks ahead that are blocked by the trees? The yellow trail goes straight downhill.

I go back from the direction I came from. The yellow trail must be some sort of connecting trail. Opposite side of the mountain; unlikely to lead me back to my car. Did the man, lady, and dog turn around too? Far enough! I went far enough!

I strike a yoga mountain pose while looking down from above Keene Valley! The sun is getting higher and the view is exceptionally beautiful!

I head down the mountain and run into two guys coming up with a GPS trail map on their cell phone. Definitely a loop at the top of Baxter Mountain!

I climbed Baxter Mountain and enjoy the walk downhill all the way to the car passing several folks and families coming up the trail. Total for the day: 23 adults; 14 children; 2 dogs; and Andy! The trail seemed all mine!

[Show slideshow]

Awakening each morning to be your Splendid Spiritual Self (SSS)!

TROML (an Acronym for The Rest of My Life) is a dynamic, self- realization process that results in finding one’s True Self/Trusting Ego; one’s Eternal Child Within; and becoming aware of the presence of God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit deep within—finding one’s Splendid Spiritual Self!

TROML/SSS is not a follow someone’s else’s religion or spirituality program; it is a life journey, a process to find your own and thereby finding you too! Applicable to all spiritualities, all religions, or none at all!

The alarm clock rings! What do you think?

That might be your problem, don’t think, BE spiritually!

Or you wake up naturally (we did not always have alarm clocks; they are choices!) or someone or something else wakes you up?

Immediately you think, right? WRONG!!!

Spiritual Beings do not have to think or do anything… they have free will… they have alternatives… and they make choices, sometimes much different than the secular world on how to live their life from the inside-out. No need to meet the expectations of all others!

The mind is a tool, that’s all! My mind is NOT me and your mind is NOT you! Even if we have subconsciously learned to think that way (after all the Mind and Silly Ego like to have the Mind in control), we  can change it through the TROML Process and our emerging Splendid Spiritual Selves.

Remember that your mind and Silly Ego/Pride/Self don’t really like change; they like to be in control, keep things the same (especially bad habits) whether or not it is in your best interest today, tomorrow, or in the future.

The Splendid Spiritual Self awakes in an aura of Gratitude, Spiritual Freedom, and Spiritual Maturity.

The Splendid Spiritual Self awakes immersed in God’s Love.

The Splendid Spiritual Self awakes in Peace, Joy, Unity, and Freedom!

Yes, someone has to turn off that alarm clock and someone has to get out of bed and begin the day of thoughts, emotions, words, and behavior. But it should not automatically be your mind!

Just choose to do it as your Splendid Spiritual Self!

Do not automatically put on the cloaks of perfectionism, control, all-or-nothing-thinking, judgmentalism, sellfishness, pride, fear, resentment or believe untruths!

Utilize your SSS Divine Dashboard, your Personal Powerful Perspective to live and manage this gift of a day!

Rejoice in Free Will, Alternatives and Choices to be made even Choices that appear to be habitual as they are not this day nor going forward!

Utilize One-Way Inner Boundaries that are Personal, Prayerful, and Protective to deal with thoughts, emotions, speech, and the behaviors of nutrition, exercise, and rest!

Be Prayfully Passive and Divinely Decisive with the essence of your life beginning this day!

Your Splendid Spiritual Self rules all in a graceful, compassionate, and loving way…

Tomorrow IS the day that you awaken as your Splendid Spiritual Self!

TROML Baby!

P.S.—’TROML Baby’ is a joyful exclamation of living life in the TROML/SSS manner; living life to its spiritual fullest!

TROML Realization: Release That Which Does Not Serve GOD…

Why???

Because what does not serve GOD cannot serve YOU!!!

An intertwined TROML Realization and TROML Spiritual Breakthrough!

The TROML Spiritual Breakthrough being the “SSS Dashboard!”

The SSS Schematic as normally seen when creating it and writing in your TROML Journal.

The Splendid Spiritual Self Schematic is powerful enough with its “One-Way Inner Boundaries” but invert it (turn TROML Journal around 180 degrees) and use it as an “SSS Dashboard” for living!

“ONE-WAY LIVING!!!”

TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)!!!

BE your Splendid Spiritual Self; BE in your Splendid Spiritual Self mode of living; BE in your Splendid Spiritual Self vehicle journeying through life AND use your inverted SSS Schematic; your SSS dashboard as a navigation device!

Turn TROML Journal upside-down to see the SSS Dashboard!

TROML Baby, for the rest of your life!!!

Spiritually-guided, stress-free, worldly-meaningful “ONE-WAY LIVING!!!”

How will my inside-out, spiritually based output be shared with other?

TROML Review in red…. God’s Love Reigns Down Upon All My Life… let’s save that for another day!

Left-to-right, in an inverted sense (never perverted)—through my BODY? Physical movement? Through my SPEECH? Something I say, or write, or text? Through my EMOTIONS? Automatically generated by God or artificially made by worldly artificial interactions like movies, printed material, or the news? Always filtered for followup action (non-reaction) by my Splendid Spiritual Self. ALWAYS! Through my MIND— via God-given intelligence, creativity or inspirational thoughts?

The SSS Dashboard can evolve to a subconscious endeavor to continuously identify and flush out from the Splendid Spiritual Self those things in life that do not serve GOD or YOU!

TROML Baby!!!

Late last night I got a call and was informed of what would be a tragic event if it would happen as described. It took me immediately to the bottom of my evilest instincts. How could this thoughtless and hurtful action even be comprehended without consideration of its impact?

Fortunately I just listened and shared only my mutual dismay and disbelief with the caller but my mind was immediately racing to response and reaction. It took me hours to fall asleep and when I awoke the pain and disappointment was still present. How could this be happening? How could this be happening to me?

Even though my heart was broken it was still beating. There was still enough life and solace present to say a couple ‘Our Father’ prayers last night and then again this morning. There was a sliver of light, there was a touch of hope in me. My faith in my Personal Savior Jesus Christ, God and The Holy Spirit remains as my foundation upon which to build a day upon. This day for which I am grateful.

I woke up and walked in The Bible today…

God has instilled patience in me and I am so very grateful. I do not have to respond or react immediately to anyone or anything.

I open my Bible to the writings of Saint James in the New Testament to find the passage that is near and dear to me and has been for some time…

Saint James, Chapter 1, Verses 2-4: “Esteem it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the trying of your faith begets patience. And let patience have the perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Amen.

In this moment, for this moment, God has made me perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If I give ‘patience’ her due, her time, and her respect she will be miraculous things in me and in my life and the lives of my friends and family. Indeed, in the life of all if they so believe and walk in the Bible as anyone may.

Patience frees me and gets me back to my lifelong perspective of ‘peace, joy, unity, and freedom.’

Next I open my Bible to find comfort in The Holy Spirit, such a powerful force in the world today.

I find not only comfort but strength in the Epistle of Saint Paul to Titus in the New Testament…

Titus, Chapter 3, Verses 5-6: “Then not by reason of good works that we did ourselves, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the bath of regeneration and renewal by The Holy Spirit; whom He has abundantly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, in order that, justified by His grace, we may be heirs in the hope of life everlasting.”

Hope and grace go together like two peas in a pod. Find one, find the other. Feel one, feel the other. Let them nourish us in our time of need.

I can’t fix this but God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit can if so needed in God’s overall plan to save the world. It may remain broken if that is God’s Will. I am not God to myself or anyone else. I trust in God and believe in Him through His Word as found in The Bible.

Feeling much better overall I open my Bible once again in search of more wisdom, grace and hope through my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I knew the Scripture I would be led to because last night when I heard the news I felt like I was only connected to humanity through the fleeting fingertip touch of God and Adam as portrayed in Michelangelo’s fresco ‘The Creation of Adam’ found in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Isn’t all our lives, in reality, only strung together by threads?

The first Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, Verses 4-8:

“Love and charity is patient, is kind; love and charity does not envy, is not pretentious, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, is not self-seeking, is not provoked; thinks no evil, does not rejoice over wickedness, but rejoices with the truth; bears with all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love and charity never fails, whereas prophecies will disappear, and tongues will cease, and knowledge will be destroyed.””

That wording is from my 1952 family Bible… here is the latest version from the New International Version (NIV):

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

I have to remember that love is charity whether giving or receiving. It knows no law and has no expectations.

My thoughts go to a recent movie I saw called “Molly’s Game.” The main realization for me in this inspiring story is the importance of one’s name. What it means to self and others, past, present, and future. In reality Molly’s love, spirit, and patience enable her story to be told in a proper manner and ultimately leads to her human and spiritual freedom.

Walking in the The Bible, I am now able to rejoice in my free will, which is independent of habit and addiction in this moment of grace, that I am sharing with my personal Trinity friends. I am grateful for free will and know there will be alternatives to be pursued and evaluated and choices and decisions to be made in the months ahead.

But for now, I am my Splendid Spiritual Self, unfazed by the on goings of the world and human interactions. I first apply all the above inspiration first to my relationship with my self and then to my relationships to others and Let Go and Let God be present and work miracles in my life.

Maybe one of those miracles will be the telling of “Andy’s TROML Story?”

Al-le-lu-ia