January 25, 2012 – Write From Karen

By several patients.

The day did not start out very nice.

And speaking of nice, I was trying to be too nice and a patient took advantage of that. I almost got myself into trouble because of my niceness. I’m just going to have to put my foot down and be more firm – especially when I KNOW I’m right. (I wasn’t sure if I was in the right today – turns out, I was. Lesson learned – have more faith in myself and my abilities).

Kevin left me a voicemail at work today.

“We’re going to a movie at 7:00 tonight.”

We never go to movies.

I’m way too cheap to pay the admission – I’ll just wait for the DVD to come out, thank you very much.

But it was a documentary about Ayn Rand, the author of “Atlas Shrugged.” Which I still need to read, by the way.

It was very interesting, and uncanny – the woman was definitely way before her time. It’s amazing how much she predicted is coming true now. At the risk of sounding all conspiracy theory on you guys – our government IS too big. And our government IS NOT acting in our best interest. If you think they are, then you’re naive.

That’s right, I said it.

It’s about the individual, NOT society. And it’s OKAY to live for yourself and make your life better. We do not exist to support one another, we exist to support ourselves. We may CHOOSE to help society – and many do, hence the outpouring of charitable contributions in this country, but we should never be MADE to give up something we have worked hard to achieve for ourselves and for our families.

Interesting, interesting stuff. I’m looking forward to reading “Atlas Shrugged.”

I have so many more thoughts on the documentary, but it’s been a long day; I’m tired, I’m fighting a killer headache and I haven’t even eaten dinner yet. (Actually. I think I’ll just skip it – it’s so late now).

Here’s a little something to make you think … God knows, we need more thinkers in this country. We have gotten WAY too complacent, people.

by Mike Patten
The Parable of the Sower of Luke 8 is considered by many to be one of the most well known and perhaps the most important parable Jesus spoke. Generally this parable is approached from the perspective of evangelism. However, in this teaching, Mike Patten explores its meaning and how it relates to the hearts of all men. Jesus often spoke in parables, and for us, just like the disciples, “the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God” will be revealed to those who aggressively inquire of Jesus. The parable includes a stern warning to “consider carefully how you listen,” as Jesus reveals four conditions of the heart; the hard-hearted, half-hearted, shallow-hearted, and good-hearted. This teaching concludes with an exhortation to all that the “noble and good-hearted who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering, produce a crop.”

Click the arrow to listen.