Burnout or something else...

After 33 years working in emergency services I've seen a lot, probably too much. I've seen people hurt from stabbings, shootings, abuse, assault... from minor to fatal wounds. I've seen people burned from sunburn to completely burned up. I've had brothers and friends serving the public who were injured or died and those who couldn't handle it any longer, commit suicide. I've seen tragic accidents be no respecter of persons by killing the young, old, rich and poor. I've seen mothers and fathers scream and cry from the death of a child and had to be the one to tell them they were gone. I've seen cars, planes, boats, businesses and homes destroyed. I've had people die in front of me. I have been there when there was one, two or many deaths at one time. I have seen hate in just about all forms. I have seen evil displayed in ways that I could not have ever imagined. I have been injured myself, burned, spit on, screamed at, hit, had to fight to survive, fought emotional and political battles. I have tried to explain to those that did not understand what we do or why we are even needed. I have had to justify my job and to be honest, it grows old. Most in emergency services if they are healthy retire somewhere between 20-25 years on the job. Some work longer or stick with it because they desire to continue beyond the odds and keep trying to help. Some are forced to work longer out of necessity because of the cards they were dealt in life.


I have been a been a paramedic, firefighter, fire officer, Emergency Management Director, worked in rescue, law enforcement and homeland security. I have worked in small towns and communities to larger cities and counties. I have been elated on my job and have been heart broken. I have been so excited for the future and burned out, ready to quit. I have been on call so long that I almost forget what it feels like to not have to make plans for someone to cover for me if I want to go somewhere or do something outside of work.


Now don't feel sorry for me because thousands of men and women do this very same job. But... imagine if you will how Christ felt and still feels because he did so much more than any of us. He loves the murderer and the murdered and the abused child as well as the abuser. He actually hurts more than the parents who lost their child because He is the father of both. He is fighting the evil in a fierce battle that only Heaven's elite forces can see. We are here for a short time. I want to do well while I'm here but I fall so short. I get angry, frustrated, I sin, I doubt, I just fail! One thing though, I will never be perfect even if mankind expects me to be. I am covered by the grace of God, the blood of Christ and that's all I need. God loves me and He's got my back!

Update on Carla...

I would like to thank those who have been praying for Carla. Her health has not improved but her desire to live life to the fullest is as strong as ever. She has applied for disability and has been denied twice which in itself boggles our mind. The ones that make the decisions ignore the opinions of her specialists and want her to go back to work. She is physically unable. With her numerous surgeries, her loss of vision, her inability to use her hands for more than a very limited amount of time and her not being able to sit very long at all, I just do not understand what they are thinking? Then we see so many on disability abusing the system that have not worked hardly a day in their lives. 

Please continue to pray for her. She is getting discouraged but even so fights her disease and the system that fights against her. I do not want her to work again and I would never ask her to do so; besides she simply cannot. It is too hard on her and she deserves to enjoy life. I know God is in control and these challenges make us stronger. Looking at Carla and how she deals with her personal issues sometimes I think I am the weaker one. 

Thanks again for your prayers. God bless each of you.

My Gift From God...

As I sit here typing before 5am I am thinking of my wife and how blessed I am. She has always been there for me. She is a loving mother and grandmother who would do anything for her family. She takes care of the home, cleans like nobody I know and works until she is ready to physically drop. But now she is in pain, she has many health problems that the doctors say there is no cure. It breaks my heart.  She has recently had to quit her job and I am glad she could. You would not know by looking at her that anything is wrong but I see her suffer. Please pray for her.

God I ask you to intervene.

Thank you for your prayers...

Christmas Time...

Christmas, families coming together, children laughing, a time of joy for many. Christmas trees, lights, presents, music, excitement in the air, yes it's Christmas. The birth of Jesus, the savior of the world, the giver of peace, the hope for a lost world, the reason for this Christmas season.

But wait... so many are sad, hurting, not feeling the excitement or the joy. They have forgot the reason for the season because we have forgot them. "We are the hands and feet of Jesus," but yet we wash our hands and walk the other way.

Show some kindness today whether it is just a smile, a helping hand, a dollar or a meal. God forgive us and help us to be more like you.

God is in Control...

I have been singing since I was a small child and playing the guitar since I was 13. The Lord opened a lot of doors for me and through those doors I went. I was able to sing and play for many years. I felt blessed and that the Lord was using me. But, for the last few years I feel like my guitar playing is suffering a major slump and the opportunities for me to sing have dwindled to nothing. I have become discouraged and wondered what's going on??? Years ago I made a commitment to sing for the Lord, so was King of Kings done with me? I've been spending a lot of energy trying to figure out what I am supposed to do.

Today the Lord revealed to me through the testimony of another person that He has everything under control. He wants me to spend more time with Him. Read his Word more, pray more and worship Him more. He will take care of the rest. God is in control...

Small Town Politics...

Moving from a vibrant city to a small town in the rolling hills of the bluegrass over 20 years ago was a big culture change for me. It was nice in the sense that people were friendly and the community really seemed to get along regardless of your political party affiliation. This is not the case anymore. We now have 4 political parties; Democrats, Republicans, the Tea Party and the Independents. None of them like each other and even though this may have been true for many years the attacks are more visible and vocal than ever before. The Democrats secretly in some ways love the the Tea Party because it has split the Republican Party. Reading editorials in our local newspaper and some facebook comments you would think that our town had no one over the age of 12.

Georgetown, Kentucky is the fastest growing city and Scott County is the fastest growing county in the Commonwealth. With that said we are still relatively small when compared to cities like Lexington and Louisville. Being small but growing fast does cause us our problems; our growth is more residential than commercial. So, our infrastructure is being taxed without the revenue to support it. Now one would think that we would remember our past of how well the county and cities worked together. We were able to achieve great things with this cooperative working relationship. In fact Scott County was known statewide for how well it's cities and the county worked together. Think of a marriage, when you work as a united team good things happen, when you don't... well you know the outcome!

So what does Georgetown and Scott County do? What do all of the political parties do in this county that just can't make each other agree to their point of view (which of course is the only way to do things)? I believe the first step is to stop where you are and remember the past! Your present actions are not working. You are causing a division in this county that is not healthy to it's future. Learn to work together. Remember two of the things you learned in kindergarten, share everything and play fair.

When I moved to this community I thought it would be peaceful but it has been anything but peaceful. I still have hope for Georgetown and Scott County but it's up to it's people and the ones they elect as their leaders.
I know this is a stray from my normal posts but it is something that weighs heavy on my mind. I really hate politics. The political party I am affiliated with has betrayed me but that's OK. You know I don't live my life for politics as many do; I love my family and I love my Lord.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

I Need a Vacation...

Tomorrow morning we leave for Florida. Back to the place I grew up, back to the place where my children were born and back to where so many of my good friends live. This year has been a stressful year and it's only May. It seems like every year is in competition with the last to be more stressful. I don't know what's going on but sometimes I feel like my stress level is about to peg-out!
So what do we do about stress? Do we go to our friends? Sure, friends can help but they can also let you down if you put too much faith in them. Remember they are human just like you and they can get stressed just like you. Do we go to our church? Well just like our friends, the human side eventually comes through. Wow you say! This guy is depressing!! So what is a stressed out man/ woman/ young person to do? The bible says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

We really need to trust the Lord more, rely on Him more and put our faith in things and people less; after all haven't we already tried that? I know I have...

Time for life...

Sometimes it just seems that my life is just flying by so fast that I hardly have time to catch my breath. There is an old saying that you need to "stop and smell the roses" and it is so true. The first twenty years of my life as I reflect on them took forever to pass. The next twenty passed a little quicker and the next ten just vanished. Now I find myself thinking about the years I have left and I don't want to waste them. None of us though are promised tomorrow or even today. Think about all the hours we waste on saying stupid hurtful things to our loved ones (and why, are we just tired?). Think about the hours and days we waste on TV or selfish things that steal time from our families or our walk with the Lord. Nothing is wrong with some "me" time as long as "they" don't forget who "me" is... Don't waste another moment! Watch your words! Love, enjoy your life...

Merry Christmas...

Only a few days until the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. I know many actually celebrate anything but his birth. It is a carnal celebration of lights, music, gifts and food. There is nothing wrong with these things as long as we take time to remember our Savior just like we take time to remember those in our families when they have birthdays. Then we should really take it a bit further to remember the Lord just like we would someone in our family who died saving our life. "Wait" you say, "I would never celebrate the birthday of a loved one who died; it would just be too sad!" I agree with you but what if your loved one rose from the dead? Christ did! He's alive!! His Spirit is here with us and when we celebrate His day, He knows it and He celebrates with us. When we pray "any" day He knows and He hears our every word. Remember Him this CHRISTmas...
Happy Birthday Jesus!