Daddytude - Latest Comments

Re: Sometimes I Drive the Ambulance (but I’m not an ambulance driver)

gwalter — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:02:05 -0000

Yeah, I understand public service providers don't pay as well on the east coast - but I might be wrong?

Re: Rock and a Hard Place

gwalter — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Thanks Celeste! Yeah, this blog wandered for a bit as I struggled (so, I know a lot of my readers wandered away), but now I hope to be a little more focused.

Sometimes, we just have to do what we love, and the money will follow.

Re: Rock and a Hard Place

gwalter — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:26:49 -0000

Thanks Mike - this month will cost us about $4000 in lost income, but that is better than the hell we've been living in.

Re: Rock and a Hard Place

Celeste Lee — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:43:23 -0000

wow! 1st I want to thank you for being so vulnerable.... for that is where not only God can work, but you can grow and others are blessed....I use to read your posts, but somehow haven't been on your blog for a while -- you showed up on a friend's fb -- and I am blessed to be able to read your thoughts again.

I feel your pain for church letting you down...it is so common in so many ways...I often wonder why we are a part of it...but my love or Jesus is strong and so I end up there. I was able to attend the Justice Conference in Portland OR in Feb. Amazing, there are Christians stepping up and fighting for justice and against injustice -- in ways relating to Matthew 25 that you mentioned.

I am recently divorced and am so struggling to engage in my passion -- preaching, teaching, fighting injustice in small and big ways....but the door is so closed right now. And with this realizing that my church is not interested in my ways of ministering....I so feel your pain in that...and then trying to make ends meet --- with labor -- not living our passion and what we were created to do...
Again thanks for sharing from your very core...it encourages me and I'm praying that God will part the Red Sea for us both, even if we don't know what that parting will look like.

Re: Rock and a Hard Place

Mike Hansen — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:55:24 -0000

Wow Gary. I would say great post, but this is more than a "post." It's sharing at its core. You offer yourself in a way I've never read before so all I can say is thanks for opening yourself to the world. To my world.

In the hospital I also see the same thing-people without hope attempting to end it all. And I ask some of the same questions around what's going on that drives them to that seemingly hopeless choice. I applaud you for choosing your family above all else. And at the risk of sounding cliche, by choosing them first I believe God will take care of the rest.

Brother, I will keep you and your precious family near the top of my prayer list on a daily basis. Don't lose hope!

Re: A Good Day

Jennifer — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:36:16 -0000

Thx for the MUCH needed break!! So glad you all had fun together!!!

Re: It’s Just Drizzle

Mike Hansen — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:08:32 -0000

Of course I have those same nostalgic feelings for the first Portland almost 400 years old-in Maine. I believe you can still get across town in less than 15 minutes. I appreciate the sharing. I should find a similar video for my hometown.

Re: A Personal Journey

Jen — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:38:20 -0000

Great post, Babe. It was a nice evening with you. Thank you. :) And I love the man who is transformed by music. Powerful and touching.

Re: A Personal Journey

Mike Hansen — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:46:09 -0000

Mostly because it's the only station I can get without a lot of static, I have in the last few weeks been listening to classical music in my office at work. I am finding I like it much. Great quote by Kant. I saw that video of the elder man who came alive with music. So many ways music can touch us that a sight or mere words cannot. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Serenity Now

gwalter — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 02:07:51 -0000

Hey Mike, great quote. Jennifer and I were talking about that last week. I know the concept, and crave that in my life.

Re: Serenity Now

Mike Hansen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:20:26 -0000

Hey Gary-great post. Before I finished reading, a passage came to mind, that I found. I am reading through Desire of Ages again, and words bubbled to the surface that I had recently read that I thought might help (even if you didn't ask :) ) Desire of Ages, p. 255:

***
Even amid the turbulence of angry enemies He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace. The beauty of His countenance, the loveliness of His character, above all, the love expressed in look and tone, drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief. Had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did.
***

Gary, serenity, peace, zen-whatever appears allusive. But I have found it to be attainable. The Big Deal I have been learning lately is not to seek "it" but to seek "Him" and "it" follows. I reread Matthew 6:33 again this morning, that before all of "these things" - the "it" - we should seek the kingdom and righteousness by seeking the Righteous King. It's working for me in a new way.

Now I know how you post so much on FB and elsewhere-because you're up all hours of the night! I pray peace for you brother. I sense much is going on in and around you these days.

Re: Sometimes I Drive the Ambulance (but I’m not an ambulance driver)

jray — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:26:41 -0000

I work as a Paramedic for both a Private services (part-time) and a Fire service full time as a Firefighter/Paramedic in Maryland. If I break down my salary to hourly rates, I make a little over $6 more an hour at the Private service. Even if they were taking out money for Health, dental, vision, life, and retirement I would still end up ahead at the private service.

Re: Sometimes I Drive the Ambulance (but I’m not an ambulance driver)

gwalter — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:03:44 -0000

Well, I'm not so sure private ambulance medics get paid well anywhere - it is improving, but we have a long way to go.

Re: Sometimes I Drive the Ambulance (but I’m not an ambulance driver)

Ttollef1 — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:55:04 -0000

In Olso Norway were are going to a Bach. Paramedic program to standardize the system which may help a system that has no real system now. I've always thought there should be more organization in education systems in the states. Good to hear medics get paid ok in CA because I am looking to get back to the states.

Re: Pride or Prejudice

gwalter — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:20:49 -0000

That is a great way of stating this.

And yes you do need to be on Wordpress!

Re: Pride or Prejudice

Mike Hansen — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:30:52 -0000

Oh, I believe it would take a proper understanding of the gospel. Only then can we be free to humble ourselves (in a healthy way) to lift others up and put their needs before ours. I happened to write about some of the same stuff in this morning's post. I spent more time than usual on it because of what prompted me writing it. But I agree with you wholeheartedly that we Christians need to think much less of ourselves than we normally do (in a health way).

Thanks again for sharing. BTW-I really, really need to migrate my blog to Wordpress!

Re: Sometimes I Drive the Ambulance (but I’m not an ambulance driver)

gwalter — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:33:08 -0000

Interesting. I'd be curious as to how much medics make there. Here on the West Coast, public EMS professionals are making $80-100k/yr. Private medics make about $60kyr.. RNs are closer to the $100k/yr.

For me though, more than pay, it's about respect, professionalism, and teamwork.

Just a few days ago, I overheard an ED RN refer to us as "the ambulance drivers" to a patient. #sigh

Re: Sometimes I Drive the Ambulance (but I’m not an ambulance driver)

Emtgal25 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:44:38 -0000

Very interesting article! May I ask what state you reside in? Many things that you have shared are very different from what I experience in SC as a Paramedic. For the private service here, the pay is much more, and the benefits are much better than those of county EMS. Some county EMS require you work overnight and only pay if you get a call. Its really a huge difference between private, and state employment. The need of medics are very high in SC, and the high demand makes it comfortable knowing your job isn't going to be cut tomorrow. Also, medics are able to challenge the RN exam. If one finds being an EMT is not their cup of tea, or they have advanced as much as they can, there's always the RN challenge. :)

Re: Contented

gwalter — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:57:20 -0000

Thanks Mike - I appreciate your affirmation. It's amazing how many take this contented attitude in a negative way.

BTW, NT Greek kicked my fanny too. I learned much about failure after taking that class for the third time.

Re: Contented

Mike Hansen — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:11 -0000

You describe the exact feeling I had as I moved through NT Greek at undergrad. STEEP learning curve but, wow, did God show up and my stress was quite minimal. Good lessons learned sitting in that class. Thanks for the insights.

Re: Is There Room for Me?

gwalter — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:12:24 -0000

Interesting idea. I like the idea of being doers, instead of believers. Maybe we just need to focus more on Matthew 25, and less on Revelation whatever?

Re: Is There Room for Me?

Brent Logan — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:26:03 -0000

I think a change in theology *is* necessary. As long as Christians are known as "believers" instead of "doers" we are missing the point.

Re: Adolescents and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

gwalter — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:23:45 -0000

No, I don't think my Dad has ever been that self-aware. Plus, he really wasn't, and still isn't, available to talk about this stuff. I'd love to ask him questions, I'd like to quiz him and get parenting advice, I'd love to talk through misconceptions and struggles - but he just grunts.

The other day, I told him, how much I love my kids and I imagine that even when they are adults, I'd still want to cuddle them. I wanted to see if he felt that way. His words/expressions were few, but I think he agreed. That is the most response I've ever gotten out of him.

Sad.

While it is hard to watch my nephew go through this process - I am crazy about that boy - I'm not that close and have no real avenue for these sorts of conversations. However, it does renew my interest in helping my own kids in this process, and enabling others (the proverbial Village) to connect with my kids in ways I never will.

Re: Dads Never Give Up – Always Be the Hero

gwalter — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:12:03 -0000

Thanks Mike. Almost every close friend of mine has mentioned this. And many other have implied this. I know that it would go far if my Dad would acknowledge his mistakes.

Not that I blame him for being less than perfect, but it would help to talk through some of the stuff. Have you found this to be true in your life, or others?

Re: Dads Never Give Up – Always Be the Hero

Mike Hansen — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:50:01 -0000

Gary-you state this so well. I will have to reread this and digest it some more. Thanks again.