Speeding?

-- Author Unknown

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?

When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.

Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.

"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." No smile.

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good.

"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit - just this once."
Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"

"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct." Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

"What'd you clock me at?"

"Seventy. Would you sit back in your car, please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

"Please, Jack, in the car"

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.

The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad.
Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license?

Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost?

Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke?

Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:
"Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it- a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again.

A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left." -- Bob
Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

Ending 7

Well, my experience with 7 came to an end.   I went for a full week and I did learn a few things, especially appreciating people who might have only "7" as their regular diets, not as a short project or experience.   I can appreciate that we can be mindful of the abundance we have in our lives and to appreciate God's blessings.

But I ended my journey because my health was affected and I was about to pass out a couple of times while working in my yard.   I believe the daily exercise of walking 6 miles daily and then doing somewhat strenuous yard work, along with limited nutrition intake had depleted my body of needed nutrients.   So I stopped the project.

I may pick up and try again, but for now I have called it a day.   I did not go hog wild and start indulging in all kinds of decadent treats.  I actually ate turkey again last night but I ate some things that I felt I needed.   A tofu salad was the first new item, along with a diet soda.

Good luck to everyone who is still hanging in there.

Day 5

So today is Friday August 5th.   This project as a "mutiny against excess" has been interesting.   While I don't find myself starving or hungry for food, I can eat and somehow never feel satisfied.  Somehow for me, a Hershey's kiss or a cookie after eating lunch or dinner makes it complete and the day or evening goes on.   What I really miss is the piece of li hing mui that I often have during the day.   The idea is that we will have the Lord fulfill the unsatisfied feeling we have through prayer and communion with him.

I think it would be a little bit easier not having an office job where my already limited choices get even smaller.  Yesterday I was at the plate lunch place requesting a scoop of rice with turkey breast and no macaroni salad, no gravy and no salad with thousand island dressing.  

With the weekend coming, I'll be trying to come up with creative ways to cook the foods I have selected and some ideas to liven up the party, so to speak.

Reminder:   HC Koolau family fun night August 7th at Kalaheo High School gym at 5:00 pm.  See you all there!

Day One Of "7"

So I had eggs over easy for breakfast.  Not the same without kikoman shoyu.   For lunch I'm having turkey and rice with no mac salad or gravy.   Yum yum.

Tonight I'll be feasting on turkey wings with roasted carrots and potatoes. 

But I'll share some thoughts that could be of help to the others who are participating.   I don't know what everyone else is making, but I'll toss out some ideas:

I'm going to make turkey soup with carrots, tomatoes, and potatoes.   You can also make soup out of chicken and spinach or some other ingredients hat you may have on your list.   Add in salt and pepper and you might have a decent alternative.

If you have chosen eggs and bread, you have French toast to be made.  I'll use honey as the dressing and it should be fine.

I'm going to also attempt to make turkey stew in my crockpot.  You can do the same with chicken and spinach, or possibly other things on your list.

I hope I can cook down tomatoes to make a spaghetti sauce.  I'll use salt, pepper and honey (if needed) to add flavor.   I'll eat this with bread or noodles.

I've never tried it but my last idea for now is broccoli, tomato and julienne carrots in a salad with olive oil and salt.

Feel free to add ideas or your recipes in the comments section. 

Here's praying we find ourselves a step closer to Jesus!

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Pastor Steve's "7"
Apples
Nuts
Spinach
Quinoa
Eggs
Chicken
Brocolli

(Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil, Lemon, Garlic)